The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-08
Uuien Passenger Depot.
AN ANIMATED AND SPICY MEETING OF THE
CITIZENS AND RAILROAD MANAGERS ...

junction with the representatives of the differ
ent railroads having termini at Portland, Mayor
Kingsbury in the chair. The attendance OF
large, and embraced considerable number OF
our most active and prominent business men.
The Grand Trunk road was represented by
Chas E. Barrett; the Portland, Saco and
Portsmouth by the President, Mr.. Lothrop and
Superintendent Chase; Maine Central by
Judge Rice, the President Messrs. Darius
Alden, Geo. L. Ward, Anson p Morrill,, r. B.
Dunn, John b. Brown, and Assistant Superin-
tendant Lincoln; Portland and Rochester by
Messsrs. H. p. Deane, A. X. Shurtleff and SUI
perintendent Turner; Portland and Ogdens-
burg, by S. J. Anderson, President, H. N.
Jose, John E. Donnell and Engineer Ander-
son; Portland aud Rutland by Allen Haines,
the President, N. G. Rice and Geo. w. Wood
man. S. I. Corser Esq, one of the Railroad
Commissioners was also of the number.
A map OF Portland, with plan of the pro-
posed union depot site and buildings drawn
upon it, with circles showing relative distances
between certain points, was exhibited for the
information of the meeting.
In calling the meeting to order, Mayor
Kingsbury stated that this meeting had been
adjourded from Dec. eth, at which time the
representatives of the different railroads de-
manded from the friends of the measure some
inducements for the abandonment of present
railroad depot grounds, and general union on
Back Bay. He reported the action of the City
Government at its meeting on Friday evening,
guaranteeing the construction of streets to the
proposed new location, if it should be adopted
Nathan Cleaves, for the joint committee, re-
ported proposition from Hon. A. w. H. Clapp
Winthrop G. Ray and others owners, offering
to give, for the purpose of Union Passenger
Depot, flats on the Back Bay, lying between
Pearl and Chestnut streets, estimated to con-
tain from six to eight acres. He thought that
whatever the result of the movement might be,
the proposition of those gentlemen must be re-
garded as especially liberal.
Mr.. Moses Gould, chairman of the Citizens
Committee, hoped to hear some expression from
the railroad representatives present
Judge Rice remarked that to some extent the
questions asked by the railroad representatives
at the previous meeting had been answered.
The subject of union passenger depot had
long received the attention of the corporation
with which he was connected. They had pro-
cured from the Legislature charter for
Union Passenger Depot Co, but it was so modi-
fed Units passage to render organization under
it inexpedient. The Maine Central railroad COM
pany has a location which was procured and
improved at great cost; the territory had been
obtained foot by foot or inch by inch; and
therefore the question of abandonment of it
must receive careful consideration. We can
not be expected, except for very strong reasons,
to abandon this for new location. Therefore
the question has been asked, what inducements
and what advantages do you present? These
you have partially answered. Allow me to offer
afew suggestions. You donate six or eight acres
of flats-out in the dock, far from the main
land, with several hundred feet of water and a
marginal way hundred feet wide intervening
The amount of land is inadequate for the pur-
pose; but perhaps this lis a nucleus for future
operations Allow me to suggest further that
the site should be inside of the marginal way.
To my mind it is mis-location. Another con-
sideration: the depot should be near the centre
of the city, and the further you remove from
that point reduces its advantages. Few people
are aware OI Uuc OI lduu necessary IOr
a single road. Thirty acres would be small
pattern for proposition of this kind. The rail
roads would want an opportunity to acquire ac-
commodations ample enough for all future
wants, at low price, and not be by-and-by, sub
ject to largely increased cost caused by their
own improvements would suggest that the
Union Depot Co., be organized under the char
ter (relieved of its excrescences), locations ex
amined, surveys made method of way ascer-
tanned, and the questions of accommodation
and future business considered; then there is
responsible body formed to treat with. When
all this is accomplished the railroads would
want to feel assured that they could rest in Sc.
curity and not be liable to have their business
overturned or suppressed by inconsiderate
action of the city. The Judge referred to the
previous location of the Portland and Kenne-
bee railroad at the foot of Myrtle street, for
fourteen years, and they tried to induce the
other roads to join them there, but none came
except the little road thatbegan with them; and
they were compelled to retreat by adverse cir
cumstances. He then thought that Back Bay
was the best location and had not altered his
opinion. Since that time changes had taken
circumstances being equal now, return to the
old location would be advantageous. The rail
road companies are disposed to consider the
proposition made to-day fairly and without
prejudice. Rumor says that the Boston and
Maine road have already secured a location;
so the difficulties of change will be increased
Judge Goddard believed that the citizens of
Portland were universally favorable to the
Back Bay location, and in his Judgment they
ought to grant all possible facilities and go the
fullest possible limit in rendering substantial
aid. 1t is reported that there is antagonism
between railroads and the city. He was not
prepared to endorse such sentiment; if there
is antagonism, the sooner we know it the better.
1t is not creditable to the Maine Central rail-
road that passengers for Portland from the
east are compelled to take the horse cars at
Woodfords Corner to reach the city.
Moses Gould explained the map and plans
presented. The depot buildings projected on
the plan are each 500 by 100 feet with space of
so feet between them. We show how all the
roads can enter and depart from these depots.
They are within half a mile of City Hail. We
offer site for depot, but do not propose to
build your tracks into the country.
Judge Rice reiterated that it was first nee
essary to understand how much land could be
obtained and at what price before the railroads
could fairly consider the subject of removal.
Continuing his remarks he said that one of the
previous speakers had opened subject which
he hoped might have been avoided. He had
never made any reply to the charges of hostili-
ty of the Maine Central road to Portland. 1t
was not 50. The road had been misrepresented.
What inducement have we who depend upon
the people for success, to place ourselves in op-
position to their interests? Does not every
sane man know that with the growth of Port
land the business of the road is increased? and
would we not justly be regarded as insane if we
sought to crush out the source of our business
The implication is false. A little while ago we
came to your city and purchased lot of freight
cars, and some one, not with the knowledge of
the directors, painted the names of some of the
towns on the route upon them. Portland was
left out. and a jealous-pated individual called
his attention to a newspaper reference to the
cars as suggestive of hostility to Portland! He
didn't give us any credit for coming to Port
land to buy the cars. We bring everything in
to Portland for which we can find market,
and buy all the supplies we can in Portland,
the price being equal to that in other places.
We carry through only the passengers and
freight destined for other points. ,.s
The Judge then referred to demand made
for breaking bulk and transhpment of through
freight at Portland, and said that every town
no ,iuht >vit Nv ol-a