The Portland daily press., 1885-03-28
The Ferry Landing.

IORiLANDi HAdACAi AooO.
To the Editor Of The Press:
Mayor Deering's inaugural address affords little
encouragement that there is to be any special econ
For this reason they should be careful how they en-
courage any schemes that viii tend to increase the
present burden OF taxation. During the past year
the assessors valued property at Its par value and
upon this assessed tax of two dollars on every
Sl00 of valuation; rate that was exceeded by but
one other municipality in Cumberland county. The
average rate Of valuation throughout the county
eighty nine cents on the dollar, on which = tar
of sl.37 per hundred dollars was assessed. The
burden Of taxation is one that is felt by all owners
of real estate and is undoubtedly an incentive to
many people now doing business In this city to own
residences ia the surrounding towns, so that por
tiOn of their property may be exempted from the
excessive taxation imposed by the city. For this
reason the people Of Portland should have voice
in any county expenditures that are Contemplated,
such as the laying out and construction of a road
for the aec0mn Odation of the proposed new ferry
between this city and Cape Elizabeth. 1t is under
stood that the projectors of the ferry propose
soon as their new boat Is constructed to cali up
on the County Commissioners to lay out and CON
struct a road from Commercial street to low tide
water. and then to build the proper slip aud ap-
prOaches for the accommodation OF the ferry and
the convenience of its patroos All of this is TO be
asked by private corporation. who to have what
ever profits may accrue from the operation of such
ferry. The location desired is the one used by
Custom House wharf, and any one visiting the To-
caty can readily see that it will cost the county
more than new court house, and for the proposed
expense the county will get no other return than
the accommodation to be furnished the people Of
Cape Elizabeth that they may no longer be com
PEELED 20 drive their teams around the bridge and
that they may have better opportunity to visit
this city evenings 10 attend lodge meetings and
other entertainments. The expense to the county
Tor this ferry approach is varousy estimated from
$4,000 to 100000. Property at Custom House
wharf rents for large sums of money and the
assess nent Tor damages that Will be done to all
persons now occupying the east side OF the wharf
can easily be conceived when 1t Is considered that
the present rental of that side Of the wharf amounts
to six per cent. on about $4,000. liberal esti-
mate OF the amount of damages that will have TO
be paid to Mr.. Barker If that side OF his wharf Is
taken for a ferry slip would NOS be less than $780,
elevator of Randall & McAllster, built last year
| and at great expense, and which can only be aP-
preached By vessels the ferry ride. If the
| sary pliDg is put into the middle of the dock TO
accommodate the ferry, il is going TO seriously
interfere with the extensive coal business now done
| at that wharf for which additional damages will
| have to be assessed and paid. Dc the people of
| Portland want to encourage such expense at the
present time, especially when 1t is eonsidered that
this city will have TO pay about Sty per cent OF The
expense to be incurred by the county and Cape
Elizabeth less than four per cent, It l. usually CON
sidered by suburban towns that the city of Port.
land wealthy, and able to pay its proportionate
share OF the expense for any improvements it can
be shown the County Commissioners are necessary
for the general welfare of the county There IA no
resident Of this city, probably that would object to
PAYNE Sag n ms Proporn9n OF tax assessed for the
| bat is not this scheme pretty laree one to ask
Portland to enter into?
Inc present ferry company has maintained its
steamers Tor about fifteen years a far less annual
| pront than could have been derived from the
capital invested had 1t been allowed to lie idle in
me savings Banks of the city. 1t has reduced its
| tolls When asked TO do so by the people of Cape
EIlz4oeth IL has paid for its terminal privileges
on the PORTLAND size aud has never received any
money from the town Of Cape Eliz lbeth previous
companies did, but which were after all compelled
70 60 out OF business for lack of sufficient patronage
Iwlce already has "dOuble endcI" been placed
upon the route between Portland and Cape Eliza
beth, and each time has IL been takea of from lack
OF patronage What guarantee is there that the
city Will derive sufficient benefit from third ex-
pertinent to warrant the proposed expense7
TAX PAYER