The Portland daily press., 1889-01-08
PORTLAND, Jan. D, 1889.
A Plea for the Extension.

To the Editor Of the Press:
This discussion about Mr.. Wescot. reminds
me of story. When the old Z. 5. IL p.
road was surveyed through New Hampshire
the line ran through the farm of smart
widow woman, who opposed 1t with her
voice the best she could. But the men in
power decided that the line must 60 through
her farm; so one pleasant day men with
teams and shovels began to dig up the land.
On the line was big boulder so the widow
took her knitting and sat down on this rock
and told the men they could not remove it
without removing her. Of course railroad
men are 10 gallant to disturb widow and
she knew it But one great big burly team
ster went to her barn, got good armful of
hay for his oxen, and then sat down on the
boulder beside the smart widow. This was
too much for her. She got up and said she
had rather 40 railroads would run through
her farm than to be seen in such company.
So the road was run and remains there still.
Now some of these writers, who oppose the
improving of the back side of the city, by
having railroad run around it remind me
mercial street be without the railroad
running through it? VIII anybody
dare assent that the railroads running
through Commercial street have injured
Portland or have in any way damaged the
property on the street? OF course not. Why
been built up SO rapidly Because of the run
ming or railroads through them. Portland
must grow and the tendency is toward the
northern end of the city. Would any fair
minded man question that Mr.. Wescott is
not as much interested in the city of Port
land as the writers who oppose him? What
is for Portland interest is for his interest.
He is heavy tax payer. progressive bust
ness man. The Rochester railroad under
his management has become first class
road and what tends to develop Portland is
for the interest of the road.
AS to the noise and smoke that is offensive
to some, II this opp0ser would stop to think
of it about all the engines are now built
with the patent spark arrester so you hardly
NOTES any smoke or cinders now from a
locomotive. Certainly in these progressive
days people who are able to drive in their
own teams must learn to keep their ears and
eyes open. There is hardly any one whu
drive out over Grove street to avoid crossing
the railroad tracks but comes back over
Deering Bridge for the sake of the pleasant
ride and change of scenery, and Have never
yet learned of anybody being run over at the
foot of Green street. 1t is certain that all
business enterprises must be encouraged If
we wish to build up the city. While a good
park is pleasant place and an ornament to
the city, still city made of nothing but
parks would soon rust out and disappear.
Portland needs to encourage small manufac-
lures in order to grow The government is
and in order to reap the full advantage the
citizens must help build up the adjoining
property. A good line of railroads running
around the city is the only way to open up
and develop the property. Mr.. Wescott may
be working for the interest Of the Portland
& Rochester Railroad, but he is also working
for the interest of the city of Portland
CITIZEN.
The Value OF the Aims House Lot.
To the Editor of the Press:
The city farm contains more than 40 acres,
and would make some $50 lots, besides all of
the streets-which could be sold from 10 to
10 cents a foot. This would enable the
and build house, and every mouse SO erect rect
ed adds value to the adjoining lot, thus in
creasing and adding taxable property to
your city. At 10 cents foot the aims house
property would bring to the city over $780,
600. Mr.. Wescott speaks of cheaper facili-
ties in getting the manufactures from Back
Bay to market. This can be easily done
without sacrificing private rights. The Bos-
ton d Maine own today the controlling in
terest in the Maine Central. and all Of the
Rochester. although the Eastern paid for
one half of the Rochester Let the Boston &
Maine make its rates so that all merchandise
whether coming into the city unmanufac-
tured or going out manufactured, be made
liberal to the plants on the Back Bay. What
manufacturers want is low rates. We have
abundant railroad facilities now, and also
for the next twenty years. Com
mereial stree, street :, and the wharf
pTOptTty tOudy Is uOb as valuable
as it was twenty years ago. There is abund-
ance Of room for more business and facili-
ties for doing business on the Commercial
street side Of the city. The city property
has greater value than the land of the
Deering Land Company. and one very great
reason Is that it is in the city having all of
the advantages of the improvements, sewer
age, fire department, schools, &C., &C., which
our neigbbors of the Deering Land Company
have not. The Deering Land Company have
35 acres divided into 1872 lots. After allowing
for streets those lots average about 50x100,
5000 feet and they have sold these lots from
6 to IA cents foot. Is not the city property
worth more money to-day than any land the
Deering Land Company own? Ii the city
property is properly managed some of these
lots would bring double the price have
named. The Rochester railroad crosses from
Woodford's Corner to Elm street in Port
land, twenty-five streets, and when the
Deering Land Company ask for protection
crossings on their streets, the reply of the
ra llroad is, that our charter rights are prior
:yours. Mr.. Wescott says that if the city
can sell its property for $4,000, he win
abandon his idea. Properly managed the
city will reap greater sum, and this will
enable the city to recover from their prop
erty part Of the sum they have lost in this
road.