Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-23
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
daily geanebet 9uurnal.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
Letter from the Maine Contra l
to the Boston 81 Maine.

| Portland, Me-, 90. The President of the
Maine Central and Eastern roads met at the
Falmouth Hotel to-day and adopted letter
as an answer to the demand of the Boston 6
Maine road for connection. The letter COM
mences with recapitulation of the demand,
but asserts that it was given to the press, for
which it was evidently written, before it was
sent to Hon. A. p. Morrill,, tn e President of
the Maine Central. The letter continues:
Your first allegation and principal complaint
are that we are now maintaining at Portland
an actual connection of rails with the 2. S. &
p. Railroad, and exchanging with said COM
pahy passenger and freight care, and doing
a connecting business generally, ION terms
unknown to you" 1t is true that we are do
ing, and have been for quite long time,
connecting business with the 7. S. & Z. and
Eastern Railways, making through line be-
tween Bangor and Boston, and giving such
accommodations. facilities and despatch to
the public as are not excelled by any railway
line in New England and we have good rea
son to believe that our success in forming
such line, after years of laborious effort, is
being appreciated by the travelling and bust
ness community. 1t then declares that the
Boston & Maine refused to do their through
business although repeatedly requested. In
regard to the demand that the Maine Central
allow the Boston & Maine to connect their
rails and transport cars over the road, the
letter AYERS that all the connecting railways
became such by mutual agreement, and that
the Boston & Maine although efforts were
made, the Boston & Maine persistenty re-
fused to do so unless they were paid larger
percentage than the other roads demanded.
1t is also stated that the Boston s Maine are
now Withholding from the Maine Central and
connecting lines, over one hundred thousand
dollars carried by the Maine Central and col
lected by the Boston & Maine. 1t then pro-
ceeds Finally you demand of us TO desg-
nate prior to the 23j inst. suitable place
ceptance, in default Of which you propose
pertorce to cut our rails and make the covet-
ed connections. You certainly cannot ex
pect that we will in the few days allowed US
by your demand" make the necessary ar
rangements to become connecting roads to
the extent you propose, when years Of nego /,
tiation on account of your severe terms have
failed to secure such a connection. We
trust you will not attempt to carry into execu-
ton the rash means you threaten. of taking
forcibly possession of onr road.
After speaking Of the large amount of
freights brought to Portland over the Maine
Central, for which the Boston & Maine re-
ceived exorbitant prices, and the uuheeded
appeals for concession, the letter concludes
as follows;
None of these things moved your compass
sion or lessened your extortion. Fortunate
ly we have been able to secure by the occur
renee of events with which you are familiar,
term for our through business which promise
most favorable results to the people and rail
road interests of our State. Your present
bold demands and threats of violent occupa-
ton of our property, are evidently inspired
by desperate determination to break up cur !
present favorable arrangements, and force US
back to the former state of things, when your
exactions were measured by the amount o;
revenue that could be collected of US, with
out absolutely stopping the locomotives that
brought a vast business to your door. We
hope successfully to resist any effort fraught
with such manifest injustice and danger. Be-
yond that, we seek no controversy with the
Boston & Maine railroad. Our position is,
and will be, defensive, from which we shall
not be moved by the thIeats of violent action
or legal prosecution with which you have an
nounced to the public through the press you
are about to visit us.
Very respectfully yours,
ANSON p. MORRILL,, Prest
NJ. c. Railroad Company