The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-11
RAILWAY NOTES.
The Railroad Lease.

Hon. Frank Jones, Of Portsmouth, has re-
| turned home, and was interviewed By TRAY
eller correspondent yesterday. The corree-
pondent says there has been much anxiety
especially among the railroad men OF New
Hampshire, and particularly those interested in
the lease of the Eastern to the Boston & Maine,
as to what position Mr. Jones would take on
this much talked Of question, knowing full
well his great influence. The correspondents +
thinks be viii violate no faith and fears no con-
tradiction, when he states that Mr.. Jones locks
upon this scheme unfavorably, and believes
with Col. Jonas II. French, who said in his
speech at the stockholders meeting: ut is
perfectly safe for the Boston & Maine, but un-
safe for the Eastern" He thinks the Eastern
should maintain its own organization and
management, and that not only It's future vel
fare depends on this, but that of the people on
its lines and connections throughout this State
Massachusetts, Maineand the Provinces From
what he has learned he believes this to be the
popular sentiment Of the State Mr. Jones
! thinks that the 9th section Of the lease makes
provisions which, if carried, might be fatal to
equitable freight traffic from stations west of
Portland.
Col. Charles A. Sinclair, son-ir-law OF Mr.
a i, hr,sir,ess rvifh HIM
confidential clerk are both opposed 70 ttelease.
Hon. James f. Briggs (ex-Congressman) OF
Manchester, and represenative-elect, is an
open foe to consolidation. The Manchester
Mirror of Saturday last says: II the New
Hampshire Legislature passes a bill ratifying
fifty years lease Of the Easterd Railroad to
the Boston and Maine, it will do a very foolish
act, for which there can be no excuse. -.
To unite these roads consolidates under one
management, and thata foreign and hostile
management, more than thirty millions of dol
lars and all the vast power which CAM be welded
| by the owners, regular employees and retainers
| of eight or nine corporations the most of winch
| are creatures Of New Hampshire legislation,
and largely the fruits Of New HAMPSHIRE capi-
tai and enterprise. 1t is to give over TO Boston
control of the entire railroad system Of the cas-
/ tern side of our State
The Eastern and Boston & Maine are paral-
| lei and competing lines. They are rivals for
most of tae business of Rockingham, and all of
| that of Strafford and Carroll counties, and all
1 the mountain and lake travel on that side of
the State, and this condition compels both Of
/ them TO furnish excellent accommodations at
reasonable rates to the public. 1t is given out
4 that If the lease is ratified, these accommods-
| tions will not be less, or the rates more, on
/ either line; but we suppose there are few New
| Hampshire people, especially among those who
/ nave an acquaintance with JGe boston ~
/ Maine management, SO jolly green to take
| much stock in any such promise as this. When
once James +. Furber can say to the citizens
| OF Dover, Portsmouth, Great Falls and Roches-
| ter, Come with me on my terms or 60 afoot,"
ship your freight over the Is. & NJ, or send
it in wheelbarrows," he will not weary his brain
| nor deplete his pocket-book in keeping open
| two cheap and attractive;ines to Boston or any
| where else. He isn't that Kind OF boss.
In brief, all the arguments that have ever
been used against consolidation and all the rea-
sons that justify the feelings and legislation
against 1t protest against the ratification OF this
sc-ealled lease.
Minor Notes.
Hon. Oiis Hayford of Canton, has resigned
the office of Superintendent OF the Rumford
Falls and Buckfield Railroad, and Mr.. L. l..
Lincoln of Bucksport, Superintendent OF the
Eastern Maine Railroad, will succeed him.
The Grand Trunk Railroad Company are
about to issue $3.50, 900 per cent perpetual de-
benture stock at 90, to meet maturing bonds
aud other purposes The London Daily Tee-
graph says it understands that tho presidents
of the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific Rail
way companies have held a conference, which
terminated satisfactorily, and that there is q
good prospects OF an agreement between the
two companies baing arrived at.