Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-05
COMMITTEE HBARrHo0
Railroad COMMITTEES

The railroad committee devoted some
time Wednesday afternoon to the consider
alton Of petitions asking that the adoption
OF safety ear couplers ard automatic brakes
be mandatory upon railrosds. Mr.. Rounds
Of Portland spoke for the petitioners. Mr.
Woodland made the point tha. even II the
railroads in Maine should make the change
suggested in months time many Of The
cars would be widely scattered. A large
number Of the freight cars on our railroads
belonged in other states and would be re-
turned there. With = constant change OF
cars that there necessarily was is would
not be possible TO secure anything like uai-
formity 10 the matter.
The question OF permitting the Bangor
Street hallway to lay their tracks over the
bridge between Brewer and Bangor wss
next taken up. Mr.. Y. II. Ciergue ap-
pesred for the petitioners. Mr.. Lswton,
prssden. of the road testified that
the travel between the two cities
was very large. In the single
month Of September it was nearly % 600
of this number 5000 were shown By the
transfers issued to have crossed the
bridge. Mr.. Snow of Brewer said the cit
izens Of his place were in favor OF having
the road cross the bridge. Mr.. Stetson ap.
pesred for the bridge company and op-
posed the using Of the bridge by the street
railway company. He said ths. the pro-
posed bill was clearly unconstitutional. 1t
was moreover nots legitimate exercise Of
the right OF eminent domain. He said
that Mr.. Booker or the Maine Central
Railroad would show to the committee
a. the result Of his own examinations that
,he bridge could not bear the additional
burden which the road would impose upon
II. because il was not strong enough aud
could not be made strong enough.
Dr. Hsmiin said the bridge had not paid
til fabulous dividends xttriouted to |. with
IA his remembrance. He believed i; paid
ahout Elk and 1 per cent. He produced
m motandum OF the toll keeper to show
the number of passengers who came over
it from the electric road
Nr. Luut, toll keeper stated
that he did not believe the
bridge could be used at the same
true by teams and electric cars nor did he
think it could be so changed as 10 sdoit OF
this double travel.
Other citizens of Brewer, Bangor and
vicinity testified that they believed it i'm
practicable for the railroad to cross the
hri1ge.
What the Judiciary Wi, Report.
At the hearing in the Judiciary room
yesterday afternoon the following matters
we're disposcd Of Voted on an act to su.
ihorize the county ot Aroostook to aid in
the construction of the Bangor & Arocs-
took railroad. An set authorizing Wash
irs.pn county TO aid in constructing the
Maine Shors Lire Railroad,
An act authorizing judges OF probate TO
employ stenogrspbers at hearings and ex-
sminstions.
Acted on chsrtsr Of Bangor and Gardiner
city hospitals.
rhe committee voted legislation mex
peaient Oh order requiring stocks of quasi
public corporation 10 be sold at suction.
Act relating 70 drains and sewers in the
city of Bath.
A vote WAS taken on the Rocklsnd lime
hill, and the vote was taken in favor of its
passage
stats Apportionment
The members for State spporionmen'
for county senator's and representative.
met at the railroad committee room LAST
evening. They simply tahulated the re-
turns from the census and got the amounts
which 4 representative and senator were
entitled to. There was nothing decided
upon ~ the meeting. A short session Was
heid \ public hearing will be held or
ne1i "Wednesday evening.