The Portland daily press., 1895-05-29
Mr.. f. III. Hartford and the Cape Electrics.
To the Editor of the Press:

the position occupied by myself and 9TH
ers in South Portland relative to the
new electric railroad, and to controvert
the deliberate attempt to misrepresent
me and others who believe that there
are other interests than an electric rail
road that are worthy of some considera-
tion, are the only reasons / can give for
this brief statement of facts
First-I am now, and always have been
an ardent admirer of the scheme to con-
struct an electric railroad to South
Portland, and no man, woman OF child
who lives ever heard me say otherwise
Second-I do not think any man at
South Portland is opposed thereto, at
least have not yet seen one who raises
the slightest objection to an enterprise
that cannot but be of great advantage
to every interest, but in doing SO, they
see no reason why their own interests
should not be guarded and protected, and
with that in view, many of us have sig
nifed our disapproyal of a double track
through our narrow thoroughfares,
which without paving cannot but be
great menace to team travel, for which
our streets were originally intended
AT the last session of the legislature,
charter was granted by that body to the
Portland & Cape Elizabeth Railway, in
which they were accorded all the rights,
privileges ETC. that the general law for
the construction of electric railroads
afforded, except as otherwise provided
by said bill, said exceptions were in SUBJ
stance as follows:
They may construct and maintain said
railroad upon such streets, roads and
highways in said town as may, from time
to time, be fixed and determined by the
municipal officers of said town
= = The location under said charter when
once made is limited to twenty five
years, but may be renewed by said mu-
nicipal officers for term not exceeding
fifty years, at any one time
THE municipal officers of said town
shall have the power at all times, to make
such regulations as to form of rail, paw
ing between and for eighteen inches out
side of rails, grade of road bed appli-
ances and safeguards, rate of speed, and
removal of snow and ice from the streets,
roads and highways by said company as
the public convenience and safety may
require.
Said company shall be required to run
So far as the writer has examined into
the subject, he is led to believe that the
four above named exceptions to the gene
raj law for the operation of an electric
railroad in the town Of South Portland
are all there are contained in the special
act by W hich this corporation was Great
ed. Does any citizen of South Portland
iT1l- hot it- ,oJ, hos
municipal officers guide and direct the
site for the tracks of this railroad, and
also to require important crossings to
be paved
Is or not, it asking too much to have
them operate their cars to Willard during
the winter
Is or not twenty-five year license to
the use of our highways with the right
of renewal for SO years at any one time
a generous proposition
The above exceptions, four in number,
are practically all the difference there is
between the special act under which
everybody supposed this road was to be
built and operated, and the general law
under which they now propose to proceed.
forE under the general law, which is in
part true, but from which the railroad
company would have the right to appeal,
whereas, under the special act it bars
any appeal and gives the full power as
to location, paving, ETC., to municipal
officers.
There are those people who, in their en-
+ho
time lose sight Of other interests, and this
would seem to be one, for sufficient ad
vancement on the road has already been
made to indicate that the streets from
Simonton's Beach to the bridge, will all
be used for the double tracks now in
process of construction. So that for one
to drive a team over those ways, that
are only to be graveled, the wheels must
necessarily straddle some Of the rails and
in turning out to pass car or other
team, the wheels will, I apprehend, re-
ceive some pretty bad strains. In fact
| say distinctly, and defy successful con
tradiction that the roads over which this
double track is intended to pass, are prac-
tically ruined for team travel unless the
oci1tS diS teeftu DQliU up UtUWScl liiC
tracks with something beside gravel.
In closing, appeal to any fair minded
man, is it asking too much to have
these parties fulfil their contract under
their charter The cities of Augusta,
Hallowell and Gardiner are connected by
an electric railroad, as well as also is
the city of Portland with the cities of
Deering and Westbrook, and the business
Of each road is done with single track
Will some one kindly tell us why the
business of this road cannot be done in
the same way, with one track and suitable
turnouts
In view Of the present status of affairs,
opposition to anything that may be sug-
gested as the desire of the railroad compa-
nies, seems fruitless, but when the tracks
are laid, many of our people will awake
to realizing sense of the great mistake
that has been made by someone in al
lowing practically absolute control over