Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-26

Committee on Railroads.

The question OF providing that PASSENGER
rates on the York Hafbor & Beach railroad
should not exceed Eve cents Q mile.
MI Ryder. . merchant Of Portsmouth,.
stated that the city Of Portsmouth vas 20
crowded that many people working there
lived on the Maine side. These and many
who did their trading largely ut Portsmouth,
we're obliged to use this road. MANY Of
these people we're poor and found the rates
charged BY the road were very serious
burden to them. He was running Z branch
store at Kittery and had. for time, run
another branch store at York beach, the
terminus Of this road He had found the
rates for freight and for passenger travel
90 high that he could not do business there
At profit, that be had discontinued his
business at that place.
Mr.. Jennison, hotel keeper ct Kittery
Point said that he had heard very usual
complaint Of the rates CHARGED BY the
road. 1t cost the people At his place eight
cents mile to get to the city OF Porte
mouth over this road. = distance Of . little
ever three miles.
Mr.. ClNkson Of Kitsery Point said peo-
! /, at his place thought seven cents mile
altogether too much for them to pay. The
freight rates they also considered too high.
Other gentle testified to the same eff
feet.
Ia reply to questions Mr.. Ciafkson said
that there were sold monthly tickets and 10
trip tickets where the fare was considerably
le" than on single trip tickets.
In addressing the committee Mr.. Yeston,
the attorney for the road, said that it vas
nonsense to expect small roads to carry
freight at the came rate per mile ~ large
roads. He said the road was constructed
on a charter which only required it to do
business three months in the year. They
were under no obligations TO run the other
nine months in the year; but for the accom-.
mediation of the people along the line they
had done 90. and at a loss. The cost Of the
road was 5000 900 and the present amount
Of stock was $500, 0CO.
Mr.. Evats. one Of the directors Of tn
road stated that since the road wss built i,
had paid two dividends one Of 3 and one OF
2 per cent. He said the directors had con
.idered the matter Of reducing the fares,
but the earnings Of the road were not
sufficient TO do it. He had no doubt tu,
VIA, the dire ctors would reduce the fares
just IS soon ~ they could and live. The
original intention of building the road did
not propose to 90 to Kittery point but the
people of that place were DESTROYS
of having the road and gave
the land damages. The road was
therefore built to that place. making 1t one
mile longer than was originally intended.
The estimated cost Of the road vas 9l55,-
900. The actual cost ss finally built was
$500. 600. The road was not leased to the
Boston & Maine Railroad - had been
stated.
Senator Stewart said he had been inter-
es,ed with others in operating a stage line
between York village and Portsmouth. The
fare charged was 70 cents when they had
TO competition, 25 cents afterwards.
Judiciary Committee.
The committee on the judiciary heard
some minor matters and then went into q
long executive session. No decision of
any particular interest WAS reached. The
vital statistics bill was discussed but no
conclusion WAS reached. The bill will
probably be amended considerably.
Legal Affairs.
The question Of incorporating the Hart
lsud Hall Association, was considered.
Voted ought to pass in new draft.