The Portland daily press., 1893-09-26
Hearing on the Cumberland Street Tram
way Crossing.

Hearing on the Cumberland Street Tram
way Crossing.
| An adjourned meeting of the West
brook City Council was held last evening
for the special purpose of granting a
| hearing to the remonstrants against the
proposed tramway crossing on Cumber-
land street, petitioned for on behalf of
the S. D. Warren Company. II
| President Cutter was in the chair, and
| in the absence of the clerk, Alderman
Waterhouse was chosen clerk pro fem.
1t was voted to lay on the table all un-
| finished business with the exception of
| the remonstrance, j. C. Brown, on the
tramway matter, and the council went
| into committee of the whole, Alderman
Leighton in the chair.
Mr.. Brown stated that he had put in
| the remembrance because it was a con-
| tinual jar to his house and nuisance.
| Mr.. John E. Warren, as agent for the
S. d. Warren Company, stated that it
of the public must be considered. Such
privileges had been granted to the S. D.
Warren Company before and to others.
| Several instances were cited. The
amount of freight that had to be handled
was between four and five hundred tons
| day. If this was not done by tram
ways it would have to be done with
teams, aud they would be so numerous
| that it would make very much more of
nuisance to the public than now ex-
lists to say nothing of the necessity to
lay substantial paving. The S. D. War
rem Company made but very little use of
the highway by reason of their tram
ways. They would be willing to remove
the proposed crossing some 20 feet fur
Their from his house, if that would be less
Objectionable to the remontrant.
Mr.. Brown thought there was plenty
of room for the company to lay the tram
way on their own property and not have
an annoyance that would last him all
the days of his life.
Mr.. Warren thought that individuals
had to put up with some inconvenience
for the general welfare of the public.
In some measure it was the business of
the Warren Company that had given the
present value to property in that vicini-
ty. Distance was important in moving
so much freight.
The matter was further discussed by
Alderman Lane, President Cutter, Mr..
Brown, Aldermen Cloudman and Good
ell and Mr.. Warren, who stated that the
crossing near Mr.. Browns was desired,
as it shortened the route.
Mr.. Brown thought that the crossing
| would damage his property from $500 to
5000.
| President Cutter stated the history of
the case last year, and that he had at
| that time advised Mr.. Brown to remon-
strate, but that he had not done so, and
JzAz L. al Ia nal n6
decided to drop it.
Mr.. Warren stated that they did not
want to do anything defiant or that
which would be Objectionable to Mr..
Brown or any other citizen of Westbrook
but they desired to transact their bust
ness to advantage.
The committee rose and the counsel
resumed the general order of business.
Alderman Cloudman stated that as
former council had granted this crossing
he should not favor reversing their &C
ton. and presented an order in which it
was stated that the action of the city
council of 1892 be sustained
Alderman Lane thought the present
council should settle the matter for it
self, and moved that it be referred to the
committee on new streets.
Alderman Goodell stated that the War
rem company uau D6eu oulehFoilHR 10
get their tramways independent for the
business could not be transacted on one
of them, and they had already expended
more than $4,000 for that purpose on the,
coal tram alone.
After further discussion, the order as.
offered by Alderman Cloudman sustain
ing the action of the previous council
was passed by vote of 8 to 5.
In consideration of the closeness of
the vote, and as some of those who had
voted in the minority having expressed
themselves in favor of granting the
wishes of the company, the vote passing
the order was rescinded on motion of
Alderman Cloudman.
1t was then voted to adjourn for the
council to meet as committee of the
whole at 1890 o'clock this morning.