The Portland daily press., 1892-01-30
Much Breaking Of Lanees Over It
Last Evening,
SIR KNIGHTS GOUDY AND ATKIN-
SON HAVE A TILT.


Man Get the Best of the Bargain-Cap
| tain shaws Offer-Speech of MIR. l.. b.
Dennett-opinion of MI. Elias Thomas
and Offer of MIR. John B. Curtis.
The city government committee held a
very interesting hearing in the aldermen S
room last evening, relative to the dispos-
al of the market lot. 1t was an extreme
ly interesting hearing developing very
diverse opinions and not little spirited
controversy.
Mr.. L. B. bennett appeared first in OPP
position to the proposed sale to manu-
featuring syndicate. He said that the
proposed terms of transfer contained no
guarantee that the people, whose proper
ty this land is, shall hear within five
years the hum of wheels. A few years
ago the city sold valuable property on
the other side of Milk street from the
market, with the understanding that the
purchasers should not erect markets
thereon; yet five market stalls are now
in full operation there today, thus taking
tenants away from the city's own market
stalls.
Moreover, Mr.. bennett thought the
sale of the property, on the proposed
terms, that is $4,000, with the under
standing that manufactures should be in
troduced, would be "a great sacrifice of
the property without adequate considera-
ton, sacrifice of 24,363 square feet of
land, which cost the city $46,SS3 in 1866
or 1867 for the land alone. The market
building now upon it cost $4,000 more as
I am informed. 1t was designed origi-
nally for 16 stalls at a rental of $50 each,
or $500 for the whole building. All the
Market street side is rented, and two
stalls of the other side, making an annu-
al rental Of $525 in it's present condition,
which is within $275 of the original ex-
pectation. The original expectation
would have been fully realized but for
the unfortunate blunder of allowing the
continuance of the old Milk street mar
ket.
1.-THE building needs some modification
of not an expensive nature. The central
walk should be discontinued and en-
frances to the stalls or stores made on
the Silver street side. With this change
in the building, it can be rented for $500
and perhaps for more. This
Magnificent Lot
Of land occupying an entire square, bound
ed on either side by business street, and
located in the heart of the city, well
adapted to the purpose for which it was
bought, should be held by the city until
the city shall grow to require it for a city
market worthy of the name"
Mr.. bennett thought that at the proper
time a market building might be erected,
the upper part of which would do for ar
mories for the military companies. This
valuable property should not be sold for
the trif1ing sum of $1,000, and he thought
that the offer of such sum was case
of ''audacity unparalleled in history"
unless it was at the time Beau Brummel,
snatehed off the apron of a duchess.
If the syndicate succeeded they would be
worthy to be called the Napoleons of
Portland.
Captain 81. III. Shaw
was next called upon by Alderman Lew
is. Captain Shaw said he had not had a
great interest in the disposal Of the Mar
ket lot. But he had been solicited by
Councilmen Dam, Rounds and others of
the city government to know whether he
would undertake to de velop the proper
ty and offer a price. After considerable
hesitation he decided to make an offer.
He submitted a proposition looking to
the development Of a manufacturing
plant. His object was to increase the
city's manufactures and afford employ
ment for the good people Of the city
There seemed to be two ways of doing
this. One was to give a chance for in
vestment Of some of the money that is
| now going to other places. The other
plan would be to bring in the capital and
Industries from outside. But he was
not anxious for the property on his own
account, as it would add greatly to his
cares. He wished to see more indus
tries in Portland, however. He thought
we had too few, and he would be willing
to contribute in cash for the sake of see
ing the property converted from the
Half Nuisance
it is now into an industry of benefit to
the city. If any gentlemen would take
half the lot and on it build q fiye-story
building of brick, mill-constrnction, en-
ploying a capital of 5000, 900 and $50 peo-
pie in the shoe manufacturing business,
he would make to the company present
Of S250O If they would take the whole
lot and employ twice as much capital
and help, he wonld give $4,000. In other
words, Nj. Shaw would
Pay $4,000 for Competition.
He afterwards explained that it would
be great deal better for his business if
there were more shoe factories in Port
land, since then the city would have a
reputation for the industry that would
help all it's shoemakers.
Alderman Lewis announced that Mr..
John F. Proctor, the real estate dealer,
had submitted the offer of a client who
would give $500 for the lot.
Mr.. Proctor said that the offer was
good only for the evening.
Mr.. bennett said he did not wish to be
considered an enemy of Portland's in
dustries. He had seen some Of our in
dustries, notably our shoe factories, 60
ing out to Deering and Freeport, and the
spectacle had panied him. 1t seemed to
show that the
Countrymen Were Smarter Than We
7UaT.a in offarircr