The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-29
Portland's Terminal Facilities.

Portland's Terminal Facilities.
The PRESS devotes considerable space to-
day to the report of one of its representa-
tives, who was instructed to inform himself
thoroughly of the present capabilities of
Portland for foreign commerce, the improve
ments of the past few years and what, if
anything, is needed to extend the present
facilities to meet an increasing demand
The inquiries were searching and exhaus-
tive; and although they were confined
mainly to the operations of single great
corporation, the PRESS hopes it will not be
charged with Indifference to the claims of
other corporations or with overlooking the
value of individual enterprises.
The reader-especially if he has been
resident of Portland for considerable
time-will find in the report abundant evi-
dence of great improvement within the last
five years in wharf and dock privileges, in
the ability to receive and forward large
quantities of heavy freight, and in celerity
and certainty of transhipment. The tab
ulated statements from the custom house
will show corresponding increase in the
business of the port. In the rivalry for
foreign trade the natural advantages of
Portland have been recognized and the rail
road managers have met the increased de-
mand with liberality and foresight.
From time to time the PRESS has pub
lished statistics of local, inland and oceanic
trade, centering here, and the well-informed
business man has been enabled to keep him
self advised of the general drift of our
business and its growth; therefore one
feature in the present condition of
things cannot fail to be noticed, and that is
that although the volume of business has in
creased at least fifty per cent. over that of
ten years ago, it is carried on with but little
more hustle and stir; with the enlargement
of facilities order and discipline have in
creased and labor been saved.
1t is evident that our chief wants now
are elevator facilities and stock yards.
The latter eau be supplied at slight expense,
comparatively; the need of the former has
been presented to our citizens more than
once with great earnestness.
If an individual is conscious of possessing
a natural talent he best shows his apprecia-
tion of it by preserving and improving it.
The same is true of communities. The
city of Portland is fortunate enough to have
harbor unexcelled by anything on the At
lantic coast. Her people willdo theirduty in
seeking to preserve and enlarge its facili-
ties, and make it's advantages known. The
city authorities have always been active to
prevent any encroachmeuts upon the har-
Dor that would reduce the depth of water or
in any way impair its value. Some ten
years ago when Government survey of the
city territory was made at the request of the
City Council, with the view of determining
basis for future Improvements, PROPOSE
tions were advanced which embraced re-
duction of the area of the Back Bay and the
obstruction of some of the estuaries at the
head of the front harbor. The whole mat
ter was carefully examined; the tides and
currents closely observed, and the most
eminent engineers of the country consulted,
and a policy was adopted by the City Gov
ernment that was most wise; for scientific
observation has proved that the harbor has
maintained its depth of water, and also that
the great securing power of the tides from
the basins at the west and in the rear of the
city is having an influence even upon the
Middle Ground.
With a harbor deep and capacous, ca
pable of floating the largest vessels in the
world, easily entered by peaceable COM
merce, accessible by night as well as by day,
haven of refuge from storms, city is JUS
titled in seeking to establish by different
railroad routes communication with the
West and Northwest, those great sources
of supply. and to draw thence portion of
their surplus productions and send them
ern farmers and shippers enable her to enter
with all modesty into the competition of
seaports.
The great courses of trans-continental
traffic are being formed; and those who are
watchful of the expansion of the railroad
system along our northern border and in
the Dominion cannot fail to discern some
of the promises of the future. The great
Northern Pacific Road is nearing compile
ton, and to this we must add the intended
work of its rival, the Canada Pacific, with
its grand scheme of branches running out
to the best productive centres of the Domin-
ion. All these are to bring an immense
current of trade across the Great Lakes,
down through the valley of the St. Lawrence
to the sea. This current must strike the
northern boundary of New England, which
lies in its course, and the little channels
which run down to the seaboard must re-
ceive remunerative portion of this bus-
ness all the year round, provided the rail-
road termini on the seaboard prepare to re-
ceive it. In the Winter the great trade that
reaches the sea by the st. Lawrence will
seek an outlet through New England sea-
ports as it does now; and we must not only
be mindful of the wants of the present but
the promise of the future. The golden apple
is within the reach of Portland business
men if they will but stoop to pick it up.