The Portland daily press., 1885-02-04

To the Editor of the Press:
No doubt there two sides to this question, and
1t is well to look at both carefully before deciding
what will be for the best interests Of Portland.
The bill now before the Legislature proposes to
grant the right to dam Long Creek, only on condi-
ton that the consent of all the interested parties
in and about Portland shall be obtained as follows
First-All the AUDITORS
Second-The City of Portland.
Third-The Harbor Commissioners
If, after careful examination of all the nues-
tons that may arise they decide it is not for the
best interest of the city of Portland to dam Long
Creek, they can veto it and stop all further pro.
ceedings.
The Reform School farm belongs to the State;
tia State is one of the AUDITORS on Long Creek,
that it is necessary to get this act of the Legisla
ture and also the consent of the city of Portland
to enable the Trustees of the Reform School to con-
vey the flats adjoining the farm and this consent Of
the State is asked for only on condition that the
city Of Portland approve the selling of the fats
and the building the dam. The form and wording
of this act will bring the question home to be de-
cided, where it is best understood.
We hardly think any one will object to this OF
be afraid to trust the city of Portland to look after
their own interest. Can any one think for mo
ment that our city government would endorse a
project that would destroy our harbor, or permit
anything to be done that would prove to be greater
injury than benefit to Portland?
In regard to the wisdom of the opinions quoted
by your correspondent, it will be well fer the city
to be careful and examine all the facts before de.
Gliding what to do As your correspondent SAYS
there are plenty of ice privileges in other parts of
the State, but we doubt if any other place would
Try to prevent good one from being improved. Is
it good policy for Portland to refuse to let this one
be improved and large shipping business, as we
M tn
here, because it can be done somewhere else? or
keep away a business that will directly benefit
every one because of theory that this particular
waste place must be kept open when it can now be
put to profitable use and benefit us all.
We know it is a fact that vessels coming here
with coal will bring it for less price if they can
load back with ice; this is saving to every con-
sumner of coal, benefit to all our manufactures
for the price paid as freight is part of the cost
We are informed by the Clark q Chaplin Ice
Company that they have at this time in their eI-
ploy, working at their ice house on the Kennebec
river some $50 men and horses; their proposed i'm
provement at Long Greek would give work in the
of men and horses.
We think it would be for the interest of Portlan
TO add this business to other industries espe-
ctay as it Is in the direction of giving work to the
iaDor1ng man In the winter season when so many
are wanting work to keep their families from suf.
fering.
Is it wise then to kill this project before it is
thoroughly examined, or prevent the business from
coming to Portland, because it can be done SEINE.
where else, your correspondent suggests, or for
any other Himsy reason. If it cannot come here,
we would ask in all seriousness why do We live here
and OF what use is our harbor if 1t must not be
used. BUSINESS.