The Portland daily press., 1884-03-04
THE RAILROADS,
Annual Report OF the commissionsrs.

The railroad commissioners say in their an
nnal report chat the Importance Of the railroad
system of Maine, as O means Of developing the
resources of the State, is becoming more ap-
parent every year. By reason of the facilities
It affords, mineral wealth Is being uncovered,
manufactures are utilizing the abundant water
powers, and our products are afforded ready
markets; and, although in obtaining these fa-
cilities in some localities. heavy burdens have
been assumed BY cities and towns, still they
think the benefit derived will fully compen'
safe them in the end. Yet they do not wish to
be understood as favofing the principle Of
towns and cities aiding In the construction OF
railroads as the benefit to be derived by large
portion of the inhabitants of town Is too re-
mote to Justify II In most instances. The COM
missioners take pleasure Ia congratulating the
public, and The several railroad corporations
operating roads in the State,on the remarkable
exemption from any serious casualties during
the year.
In their examinations during the year OF the
track, rolling stock, bridges. visducts and cul-
verts Of the several roads, they have generally
found them in good repair and safe for public
travel; and whenever they are in doubt as to
safety OF either Of them, notice has been given
70 the managers of such roads In writing, CALI
ing particular attention to the apparent defect,
and are pleased to note the fact that all such
repairs VI IcuOWAi5 Coau1ACA w bASA4 WSAo
promptly made.
NEW ROADS.
Dnring the year the following new railroad
corporations have been organized under the
general railroad Law: Franklin & Somerset
road; Mount Desert railroad; Apsons & New
Portland road. None of these roads have been
built, nor have the proposed locations been ap-
proved by the commissioners.
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED.
The commissioners are of the opinion that
the law should be so amended thst railroad
corporations, organized under the provisions
Of the general statute, should be permitted to
have the question determined whether or not
the public convenience requires the construc-
tion of their contemplated road, before being
required to expend large sum OF money In
making an actual survey Of their proposed
route, with plans and estimates, as now re-
Quired by law. aud Ii the question OF whether
the public convenience and exigenci.s require
such road could be settled first or at the time
Of approval of the articles Of association, much
loss and needless expenditures and tnconveni-
ence to parties 80 organizing would be avoided.
The statute now provides that "when q seri-
ous accident occurs on railroad, and any per-
| son is thereby injured, the commissioners shall
Immediately proceed to the place and examine
into the cause thereof, etc." The commits
sioners THINK. in addition to the above there
should be provision requiring the officers OF
the railroad upon which the accident takes
place. to immediately notify one or more or tiss
commissioners, etc.
The legislature of 1888, authorized the rail-
road commissioners, In cases where ways are
laid out across railroad to determine the
manner and conditions Of crossing. notwitb-
standing the fact that another statute confers
the same authority upon the county commits
sioners. The railroad commissioners think
they should have jurisdiction of all such cross
ings, or none at all.
CONDITION OF THE RAILROADS.
IL
branches, including three horse railroads, in
Maine. Nine OF these are managed by the
Maine Central and three by the Grand Trunk.
The Commissioners commend the condition of
the Atlantic & St. Lawrence, Boston & Maine.
Eastern, European & North American, KNOX
Il Lincoln, Lewiston & Auburn, and Maine
Central roads. Concerning the Portland g.
Ogdensburg and Portland & Rochester the re-
port says:
The Portland s. Rochester road runs from
Portland to Rochester, N. Fl 81 miles, 495
miles in Maine. Since this road passed under
the control of the present management, the
| track, bridges and station buildings have been
greatly improved and the road is now in a
very good condition. Daring the past year
| 1922 tons OF steel rails have been laid aud
| 1888 cedar ties. Other improvements and
repairs have been made. The road Is we'll
managed, and should the present system Of
repairs and renewals continue for a year or
| two longer, it will compare with the best roads
The Portland, Ssco & Portsmouth railroad
runs from Portland to Portsmouth, N. H., 81
lnles-50 76-100 miles in Maine, aud is leased
| to the e ssteru road. The road is In every
| respect In very excellent condition The track
| throughout the entire length of the road Is
| laid with steel rails and we'll ballssted. The
| rack is IN good alignment aud rides smoothly.
| Repairs and improvements have been made.
| The Commissioners commend the faithfulness
| and skill displayed by the officers in charge Of
| the maintenance of wsy-to which the excel
| Isn't condition of the road bears witness.
New railroads constructed and opsned during
| the year 1888: Bridgtjn & Saco River, 2 feet
gauge, 1876 miles; Green Mountain, Lib miles
| Kennebunk Kennehunkport, 4.6 miles;
Monson. 2 feet gauge, 6 miles.
Roads in process OF construction: Bangor s.
Pisca aquis, from Blanchard to Mo ,sehesd
Lake, 1879 miles; Mount Desert Branch of
Maine Central, 40 miles; International s.
Megautc railway, from Lsnnoxvile, Canada,
via Lake Megautio and Moosehesd Lake to a
| connect on with the European & North Ameri-
| Can railway at or near Mattawamkesg.
| There we're on the Atlantic & st Lawrence
| railroad Is accidents; Boston & Maine, IL;
Maine Central, s; Portland & Ogdensburg, 5.