The Portland daily press., 1881-11-03
THE ALLAN STEAMERS.
The New western freight Connections.

Mr.. EDITOR:
| Two items of great interest have lately APP
peared in the columns of the PRESS. One is
the announcement that the managers OF the
Allan line of steamships have concluded con-
tract with the Grand Trunk Railway for
freight and passenger traffic between America
and England for a term of years, and that the
vessels will begin the winter service between
Portland, Liverpool land Glasgow)iin conjunc c.
ton with the steamers of the Dominion
line early the present month Since Mr.. Al
len withdrew his ships from Portland several
years ago he has had an opportunity to test the
capabilities and accommodations OF several At
lantic seaports and the inducements they offer
to foreign traffic, and has finally res umed bus
mess relations W it'll the Grand Trunk. tits
evident that he has found that road a sure sup
ply of freights and its terminal facilities at
Montreal and Portland entirely satisfactory. 1
am sure tn at the citizens of Portland will well
come his splendid vessels to their harbor,
and that the wharves and docks at the foot OF
India street will be as brisk with the crowd OF
passengers and the moving of merchandise as
at any time since the business began.
The other matter referred to, is the beginning
of a direct passenger business between Port
land and Montreal via the Portland a. Ogdens-
burg road, and the securing OF a direct, speedy
and permanent freight line to Chicago by the
same corporation over the Ogdensburg and
Lake Champlain, Rome, Watertown ard Og-
densburg, the Canadian Southern, the New
York Central and the Vanderbilt system west
Gf have stated the connections correctly0 1t
seems long time to wait for the fulhllment OF
the predictions of the friends OF the Ogdens-
burg road made when they were working SO
hard to inspirespublic confidence in the enter
prise; but the hope SO strongly encouraged by
them seems to be near fruition. Few people
outside of their own circle, L think realize now
much the present success has cost; the natural
difficulties to be overcome the contest with
rival corporations the opposition OF many lnfiu-
entail men at home; have all had to be COM
batted in turn. The growth has been terribly
slow. one is inclined to think, but let us hope
that it is solid and permanent.
One good result of this new freight route-or
formation of new trunk line, as 1 may call it
lis the good effect that it has had upon at least
one of the links. When the contract with the
Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain road was
concluded in July last the stock and securities
of that road at once improved, and the i'm
prove ment has been generally maintained. On
Monday last, the day before the new arrange
ment took effect Ogdensburg and Lake Cham
plain IS rose from 81 topaz, and see the state
ment made in the papers that the directors OF
that road have purchased large number of
freight cars and will at once make some I'M
provements in the road in anticipation of
through business.
When one calls to mind the wonderful trans
formation that the Grand Trunk has wrought
at the eastern end of your city, is it not rea-
sonable to anticipate something handsome from
a through line entering the city through her
western gate. The opening OF the new line
will attract more attention to Portland in the
future. In the rivalry of seaports for the
ocean traffic does she not offer greater advan-
tage than before? Is it too much to anticipate
that within year or two the new route and
the Grand Trunk combined will be the means
of giving Portland a regular TRANSATLANTIC line
of Steamships, as well as her quota of foreign
trading sailing ships?
The grain elevator, which 1 hear is to be
built on Smiths wharf, comes just in time and
is a positive necessity, to add to the roilroad
terminal facilities of the port. That of the
Grand Trunk is fully employed by that road.
and the roads centering on the west side need
one. The need will in my Judgment, soon be
imperative and not to be disregarded.
ABSENTEE.