The Portland daily press., 1889-01-07

mentS pro and con. and their signatures
represent their best judgment according to
the light they have been able to get
1t Is fair to assume-indeed there can be
no doubt-that the great majority of the
slgners Of both papers are interested to see
Portland grow and prosper. It is for their
personal interest that it should. The re-
monstrants are Just as anxious that the rail-
roads should be given all needed facilities as
the petitioners. They are just as anxious
that Back Cove should become a hive of in-
dustry. They are just as anxious that the
Rochester railroad should have all needed
facilities for transporting its freight and
passengers to and from the Union Station
They would be ready to admit, we think,
that some better facilities than it has now
are needed.
Inc real difference between the petition
TONERS and remonstrants is simply this
The petitioners apparently believe that the
facilities needed can only be obtained by a
track back of the Park and through the
poor house lot. while the remonstrants be-
lleve that they can be obtained some other
way, anc they point out way, namely
assume that net single one of the
petitioners wants the extension proposed by
the Rochester laid out along the route
prayed for simply for the purpose of running
a railroad close to the park, and through
three streets and through the poor farm.
Everyone of them will admit no doubt
that railroad close to the park will iniure
it somewhat, that it will make the streets
through which it passes less safe and con-
venient and that it will diminish the value
of the poor farm property by running
through it, but they advise this route be-
cause they believe it is the only one that
Will give the Rochester the facilities which
1t is for the interest of the city it should
have. Show them another route which does
not involve any of these sacrifices, and at the
same time furnishes all needed facilities and
they will, it is fair to assume, be not only
willing but anxious to choose it in prefer
ence to the one proposed by the Rochester.
Now it has been suggested that the route
by Woodford's will:do this, and great many
well Informed citizens including men famil-
lar with railroads. are of that opinion The
Rochester people on the other hand contend
that public necessity and convenience re-
quire that the road be laid out along the
route they propose, and claim that the re-
qulrements OF this necessity and convenience
can be met in no other way. If the Rochester
people are right assuming the alleged public
necessity exists. then the location should be
granted. II they are not right. if the alleged
public necessity can be met in some 9TH
er way with much less injury to public and
private property. then it should not be grant
ed. In deciding this question, which is real.
~ the vital question, the opinion of impartial
men familiar with railroads would be OF
great assistance. Why not ask the opinion
OF the railroad commissioners on this point?
OF course they would not be under obligation
to give one, but if leading representatives Of
the petitioners and remonstrants should
unite in asking their opinion they would very
likely be willing to give it.
One thing more. 1t is to be hoped in any
event the location will not be granted until
the Rochester people have made certain
pledges. They ask for the location simply
for tracks for traffic. but If their anticipa-
lions regarding the development of Back
Cove are realized there will be in the future
great accumulation of cars on their tracks,
on the margin of the Cove, and the tempta-
tions to get relief by moving some of them
ON to the extension will be very strong. A
location eighty feet wide will give a good
deal more room than is needed for two
tracks. and there will be powerful tempta
ton to lay more for the purpose of disposing
OF their cars. Then the extension will be-
come railroad yard. A pledge should be
exacted that no more than two tracks shall
ever be laid. Then too it should
be ascertained if the Rochester
Is willing to build or help
build the necessary bridges and keep them
in repair 1t would be good idea also. be-
fore granting the location, to get the ideas
OF the Rochester people as to the value of
the poor house lot and the amount of damage
their road will do it. Their anxiety to do
good to the city may not survive the granting
OF the location. They may then grow cold and
unfeeling. So it will be the part of wisdom
to secure all the benefits possible while their
beneyolence and affection are at high water
mark