The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-27
M Anne RAILROADS,
Annual Report of the Railroad Commia-
siOners.

The Railroad Commissioners have submitted
to the Governor their report for the year, show
ing the condition and Improvements of the va
rious roads of the state. On the latter subject
the report says: Their improvement has been
progressive, and has extended to every part
the rolling stock as well, but the improvement
mas been most marked in that most important
part of all, better track. Indeed, it is quite
obvious that the attention Of our railroad man
ayers has been of late more especially directed
to perfecting the track as the geat and essential
element of real advancement; the indispensa-
BILE first step to establish a road in good condi-
ton; the one which, more than any other, con-
duces to its economical and safe operation. The
roads have been commercially free from acct
dents, which showed increased care and an i'm
proving condition.
OF the Bucksport and Bangor road, the Com
missioners say that it is not in as good condi-
ton as they had expected or as they would
wish. The road-bed is low and poorly drained,
and the road is generally not well suited to
heavy freights. A little history is given of the
transaction by which the European and North
American became again an Independent cor
poration. Its track and equipment are in good
condition, and with its present management a
prosperous career is predicted.
The condition of the Consolidated Maine
Central is also reported fourishing, the road
bed and bridges being particularly commended
OF the Portland and Ogdensburg, they say
that it is not in as good condition as it should
be. The track needs large amount Of new
iron many ties and ballastng. Many of the
cuts and embankments are narrow, and some
of them should be Immediately widened, par
ticulary the embankments between the station
at Portland and the Basin, that over the arch
at Inkorn, and the ingalls, Pond. Many of the
bridges are OF temporary character, and should
be rebuilt or extensively repaired the coming
spring, At Fore River, the Basin and Stroud
water, solid earth and stone embankments
should be substituted for the present structures.
The truss over the canal at Gambo should be
renewed and girders put in the entire length of
the bridge. The truss bridge at Breakneck
Stream must be entirely rebuilt this spring,
The hestle at the south approach Of the iron
bridge at Hiram and the pile bridge at Shep-
herds river. should be filled with earth and
stone. There are many other repairs and i'm.
provements needed, but those designated above
are OF the first Importance aod should receive
early attention.
The importance Of this road as route for
summer travel to the mountains and the fire.
quent necessity arising during the season for
running heavily loaded excursion trains de-
mands that the road and rolling stock be main
tanned in condition Of absolute safety and
we hope that measures will be devised to put
the road i'll good condition. Until this is ac-
complished the trains must be run at low
rate of speed.
The Boston and Maine they report steadily
increasing in financial and other conditions
The floating debt has been reduced 1921 $50 81.
The passenger anG freight business of the past
year, as compared with that of the year
previous, stands as follows: 1875, passengers
carried. 1906 779; passengers carried one mile,
e., 423, 49, tons of freight carried g. 74; tons
of freight carried one mile, 25,410,7 1876,
passengers carried, 5 086,S19 passengers car
ried one mile, g. 1893, 1913; tons of freight car
ried, 701 ,945 tons OF freight carried one mile,
30,421 ,9O2; showing net gain of 10000 pas:
sengers. and for one mile net gain of
and for one mile of 5,011 ,146 tons.
| The following recommendations are made:
We recommend the enactment of law in
Maine to the effect that ''every railroad COM
pany in making contracts for the building of
| its road shall receive sufficient security from
the contractors for the payment of all labor
thereafter performed in constructing the road
| by persons in their employ, and such company
shall be liable to the aborers employed for
| labor actually employed on the road if they
| within twenty days after the completion of
such labor shall in writing notify its treasurer
| that they have not been paid by the con-
tractors statute to this effect was passed
in Connecticut in 1870. and the history of the
construction of some Of tia roads in Maine
we'll warrant its passage here We advise an
amendment to section IS of chapter 81 of
Revised Statutes, in these words: "And when
such accident is attended with serious personal
injury, the conductor of the train shall at once
notify the Commissioners by telegram, if prac-
ticable, and if not by letter, of such accident
and the Commissioners shall, without charge
furnish any person injured, or the friends of
any person killed, any information they may
have acquired in relation to such disaster
There are some very useful and instructive
statistics given of the various roads of the
state, and altogether the report is comprehen-
sive, and will be found of value to the state if
| its suggestions are adopted