The Portland daily press., 1884-12-30
OUR RAILROADS.
Annual Report of the Maine Railroad
Commissioners.

ln their annual report the railroad commit-
soners say that the railroad system of the
State is being gradually extended, and the ds-
mand upon their time ia yearly increased on
account of the statute relating to the forma-
tion of railroad corporations aud building of
railroads under its provisions, although during
the year branch of the Maine Central rail-
road known as the Maine Shore Line has been
completed and the Bangor and Piscataquis
railroad extended to Moosehead Lake under
charters granted by the Legislature before the
enactment OF the statute above mentioned.
While in many States the time of the commits
sioners is largely taken up in adjusting ques-
tions and controversies between their several
railroad companies, and between these corpol-
ations and municipal and other corporate bod
les, and with individuals, the Maine commits
sioners say that the management Of the roads
in this state, in dealing with each other and
with individuals aud corporations. has been
such as to rarely call for exercise Of authority
conferred by statnte upon the Board of Com
missioners, or to require additional legislation
in that respect.
Two careful examinations have bsen made
during the year, OF the tracks, rolling stock,
bridges, viaducts and culverts OF the several
tions We have found all in good repair and
safe for public travel, and where doubts exist
cd as to safety of any or either of them, We
have caused reasonable repairs or renewals to
be made. The commissioners report a very
general improvement in nearly all OF the rail-
roads 10 the State, since their last report. Only
one railroad has been organized under proyis-
ions OF tae general railroad law during the
year, viz:
THE FRANKLIN 3 aEoANTIe
railroad; this road extends from point on the
Sandy River railroad, in the village of Strong,
through the towns Of Freeman and Salem, to
Kingheld, distance of about Is miles, guage
two feet. The grading is nearly completed.
and the road soon opened for travel.
The franklin q somerset railroad, OrganiZ-
ed in 1888, to run from a point on the Sandy
River railroad, at South Strong, thence in
northeasterly direction, tbrol gh the town OF
New Vineyard, to North New Portland was
not approved by the Commissioners. The Mt.
Desert railroad was organized in the fall OF
1888, to run from the village OF Bar Harbor to
the base of the Green Mountain, in the town
of Eden, a distance of three miles sand guage
two feet. A hearing on petition for location
Jan. 10Th aud 18th, 1881, and the same approx
in part.
The Auson & New Portland railroad was or
ganizsd in 1888, and their location approved
by the commissioners April a. 1884. This road
extends from point ON the Somerset RAILROAD
at Ansop, in northerly direction, to North
New Portland 8 miles, gusge two feet. No ef-
Tort is yet being made to build this road.
MAINE SHORE LINE RAILROAD.
This read has been completed during the
past year, and put in good order for passenger
trains. This road extended from Brewer,
through the city of Ellsworth to Hancock
Point within seven or eighs miles OF Bar Har-
Dor. This road is aoont 40 miles in length.
The Bangor & Piscataquis railroad has been
extended during the past year from Blanchard
to the so-called West Cove of Moosehead Lake,
distance of about IA miles.
AMENDMENT OF RAILROAD STATUTES.
fhs commissioners recommended a change
in the law as follows That railroad corpora
tions, organized under the provisions of the
general statutes should be permitted ID have
the question determined whether or not the
public convenience requires the construction
of their contemplated road, bafore being re-
qured to expeDd a large sum of money in
making an actual survey of the supposed
route, with plans and estimates as now re-
quired By law. Ii the railroad commissioners
determine that the public convenience and
exigencies do not require such road and re-
fuse TO approve the location, such corporations
are subjected to great loss and needless ex-
penditares; while on the other hand, if those
questions could be settled at the time of ap-
proval of the articles OF association, much less
ana inconveniencs 10 parties, so organizing,
would be avoided.
RELATING TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
The statutes now provide that when a ssri-
ous accident occurs on railroad and any per-
son is Injured, the Commissioners shall imme-
diaely proceed 10 the place aud examine Into
the cause thereof etc. Ia addition to this the
commissioners recommend that the statutes
should require the officers of the railroad
upon which the accident took place to imme-
sdiately notify one CT more OF the commission
ers, etc.
They also call attention to the statutes OF
1888, chapter 167, now section q, and section
%. chaptsr 81, Revised Statates, relating to
railroad crossings, in which conflict of jaris-
diction on the same subject is made.
The commissioners think the condition and
manner of crossing o. ways over railroads, and
railroads over ways, should be determined in
the same manner and by the same board and
that the Railroad Commissioners should have
jurisdiction of all such crossings none at all.
This would put both parties on an equal foot
ing-the town and the corporation.
The commissioners also recommend that the
statutes be so amended as to require an iD-
spection by the commissioners of all new rail-
roads before tne7 are opened to public travel.
Total miles OF railroad in Maine, 1,14S 81
this including two horse railroads, one in Port
land and the other in Lewiston and Auburn.
Whole length of Maine line operated, 6,307 Is
miles, embracing 43 different roads or branches,
q follOms.