The Portland daily press., 1895-05-24
The Electric Railway and Cape Elizabeth
Bridge.
To the Editor of the PRESS:

To the Editor of the PRESS:
A problem of a good deal of importanc
to the public is presented by the proposed
electric railway over Portland and Cape
Elizabeth bridge. This electric road is to
run over narrow draw, hardly wide
enough now for two teams to pass and
practically impossible with anelectric car
upon it. After passing the draw it is to
run along the side of the present
travelled way of the bridge. If it is pro-
posed to use I rail upon this bridge, as
is currently reported, that rail cannot
but prove danger and obstruction to
travel. Whatever rail is used it must be
safe for carriages to cross over, or other
wise the bridge will be dangerously mar
rowed, and that requires paving with
plank or other material. The form of
rail, method of construction, extent of
paving or planking, are left by the legisla-
ture in the hands of the county commits
sioners, and doubtless they will see that
everything is done in these respects to
protect the travelling public. But another
important consideration remains, and
that is, can electric cars be run over the
present bridge with safety to the public?
This bridge is one of the most import
ant thorOughfareS out of Portland There
is probably more pleasure riding over this
bridge than over any road out of Port
land. 1t is the outlet to the most beauti-
full seaside drive in our suburbs-the
Shore road. Does any one believe that
unless the bridge is widened and the
electric cars are practically fenced off
from the travelled portion of the bridge
as now constructed, that riding will be
safe upon this bridge? And when fenced
off, unless the sides of the bridge are
made higher than at present, how many
| frightened horses are likely to try jump
| ing over the Sides when meeting electric
| cars, is something the future can only an
swer The legislature has foreseen this
difficulty, and inserted the following pro-
| vision in the charter granted to the COM
pany: provided further that if, at any
time said county commits sioners or any
court of competent jurisdiction shall de-
termine that said Portland bridge and
way shall be widened by the county, the
expense thereof to the extent of eight feet
for land damages, construction and re-
pairs shall be borne by said corporation )"
(the electric railway company Is not
now the proper time to determine that
question, before any rails have been laid
or public travel endangered9 I believe
that the public sentiment would be prac-
tically unanimous in favor of the widen
ing, and the county commissioners would
certainly be justified in requiring it. 1t
is further currently reported th-t the
street railway company intend to Law
| double tracks with Z rails in the streets
of South Portland. 1t is hardly credible
that they would ask for such right, or
that the selectmen of South Portland
would grant it if asked; for, unless the
roads were paved, they would be practi-
cally useless for carriages, and might as
well be abandoned to railway purposes
alone If such is the purpose of the COM
pany, the matter demands serious con-
sideration, and certainly no such rights
would be granted without public hear
ing, when remonstrants could be heard
AS these are matters that are little under
STOOD but are of vital Importance to all
who travel over Portland bridge, beg to
ask the aid of the PRESS in bringing
them to public attention.
CITIZEN.