The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-29
The Extension OF the Congress Street
Railroad.

AS some cltlZenS may cOuSclenJlouSiy
withhold their approval of the extension of
the Congress street line of horse railroad on
the proposed plan-because they are not
aware of the advantages which can reason
ably be expected to result from the enter
prise-and because they may not be aware
of the interest which the city, as corporate
body, has at stake in the matter, such cit
liens are asked to consider few facts
stated below:
First let us look at few objections.
These come presumably from two sources
from those having investments in real es-
tate at Woodford's Corner and vicinity
and from the advocates of q horse railroad
on Portland street.
OF course, owners of real estate at Wood
ford's desire to rapidly increase the popula-
ton of that prosperous locality and they
are well aware of the value of their horse
railroad facilities. But have they right
to expect monopoly of those facilities?
Did they, before investing their money, Sc
cure guaranty that no other horse rail
road after theirs should be built? Nothing
is to be here inferred in disparagement of
Woodford's as place of suburban residence
its attractions are fully conceded-but
the West End has attractions as great and
others which are greater. What possible
reason could justify the city in pursuing
a policy by which her wealth and patronage
are made to foster the growth of a distant
suburb. whose taxes go to swell the revenue
of another town. to the neglect of her own
territory?
The advocates of horse railroad on
Portland street, apparently assume that the
extension of the Congress street line pre-
vents the construction OF a similar line on
Portland street. Not only is this false
position but we, who desire the congress
Street extension, are also in favor OF the
Portland street line. We would be glad to
see If built and we are ready to give
II orr patronage whenever our business
so requires. But since the attempt
has been made to use the Portland
street plan as material out of which to
fabricate opposition to the Congress street
extension. those who have made the at
tempt cannot blame us if we review the
comparison which they themselves have in
stituted to their own damage. Let it be re-
membered that the distance on Portland
street from the east line Of Lowell street
to the west line of Green street is 4,9749
feet. while the distance ON Congress street
from the east line of Lowell street to the
west line of Grove street is ., lo2 feet, /. e.
the length of railroad to be built on Con-
gress street is less by 1,792a feet, or more
than one-third of mile, than ON Portland
street. The cost of construction would
therefore be in proportion greater on Fort
land than on Congress street. For the same
reason much greater outlay in rolling
stock and horses would be required to per-
form a given amount of transportation over
the Portland street line than over the short
er Congress street extension.
Since the subject of grades has been so
pathetically advanced in this connection let
the fact be noted that the grade OF Preble
street from Portland street to Cumberland
street is 4.S4S feet in one hundred feet, and
thence to within 100 feet of Congress street
the Grade isl feet in one hundred feet,
while on the Congress street route, two sec
lions of the ascent from Forest street to
Vaughan street are only 4.514 feet and A.,
527 feet per one hundred feet, and the high
est grade on the extention IS only Dali feet
per one hundred feet. Now considering
the fact that car makes a short, abrupt
turn in passing from Portland street into
Preble street, where Preble street rises A.
941 feet in one hundred feet, we submit to
the Judgment of any railroad authority,
that much greater motive power is re-
ouired to take car from Portland street
into Preble street than would be required to
move the same car at the same rate on any
part of the Congress street extension, on
which no abrupt turn is necessary.
There are also on Portland street three
other hills-one at the foot of Lowell street,
one near the workhouse, and one at the foot
of New High street, each of which would
REQUIRE an extra horse or severe work by
the regular team. And if the Portland
street line were built through and running
to-day, it does take its inward bound pas
sengers to the places to which most OF them
wish to go.
Persons leaving Portland street car at
the head of Preble street must still provide
for themselves other means of transporta-
ton to any of the centres of business, at
distance from that point. On the other
hand passenger in a car on Congress
street wishing to reach any point in the
CITY can be left within easy reach OF his des-
tination, wherever it may be, and in a very
large proportion of instances he is left at
the door which he wishes to enter. So EVIL
dent is this advantage that many persons
who have perhaps been reckoned as pro-
spective patrons of the Portland street line
have expressed themselves in preference
for the Congress street line. Even resi-
dents of st. John street North OF Port
land street express themselves decidedly in
preference of taking first the short walk
across from their residences to the Congress
street line and then being carried directly
or near to the places which they wish to
reach, rather than to go in by Portland
street car and then walk, often long dis
lance. going from and returning to the
head of Preble street.
Those who desire to know the facts in
relation to the Congress street extension
will concede that the geographical situa-
ton of this or any city should indicate the
location of it's streets and other means OF
internal communication.
Tn accordance with this principle, Con-
gress street was laid out and has served for
generations as the main artery OF the city's
life. When street railroads were intro
ducedN line was of course built on Con-
gress street but for reasons sufficient,
doubtless, at that time, was not built
through to the natural western terminus.
Asan inevitable result the western part of
the city has not been developed and the in
terest of the whole city has suffered in con-
sequence, Lands owned by citizens and
lands owned by the city, have lain unim-
proved and improbable because people
looking for homes have gone to those
places to and from which the could be
carried by horse cars.
The time has now come when the con-
vepience of the city, and the business of
the city and the pecuniary interest which
the city has at stake in this locality call for
the building of this extension OF the Con-
gress Street railroad to the western part of
The CITY. The convenience of the city at
large will be met by making the the connec-
ton of the Congress Street line with the
Maine Central r. r. at the Congress Street
crossing. With station at this point much
time, care, labor, and expense will be saw
ed to persons arriving or departing by the
Maine Central. And also to city passengers
bv the Boston & Maine and Ogdensburg
roads, who can at the Transfer Station con-
meet with the Maine Central and so with
the Congress Street cars. The business of
this city requires this extension to furnish
cheap and easy transportation to suburban
customers of the many stores in various
departments of trade easily accessible from
this line. Also to afford transportation to
persons employed in manufactures and
trade all over the city, and who need subur-
ban homes. And also to establish commun-
ication between the business portion Of the
CITY and lands which are still vacant, al
though lying within the city limits, and
which are pleasant, attractive and desirable
as places of residence for persons of sub
stantial means. The financial interests of
the CITY requires this extension because the
CITY owns As acres of unimproved and I'M
Al, ctJo Of