The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-30
FERRY LA NDlNG.
A Subject for Consideration-Is the $1,000
Demand Good Business Proposition?

Subject for Consideration-Ist the 81 900
Demand a Good Business Proposition?
To the Editor of the PRESS
Kindly give me just.a little space in
your valued paper to express few
thoughts and present few facts as they
appear to ME.
The town of South Portland has just
been born, high anticipations for its
future success have been INDUCED in by
| many, if not all of it's inha bitants. and
no good reason exists why such hopes
should not be realized, but small cloud
has arisen about "the size of a mans
hand" or thousand dollar check.
Now let us fairly and deliberately con-
slider this question. Capt. A. d. Boyd
at the town meeting held March 18th,
made the proposition, which was carried
that the SeIectmen be authorized and in
structed TO lease the Ferry Landing for
sum not less than 81, 900 annually, but did
not provide for or suggest anything but
passenger boat to be run, but that
much .mone} had been expended for the
wharf and landing and this was simply a
"business proposition" in the interest Of
the town.
We have today ample ana very satisfac-
tory ferry accommodations, safe and con-
venient landings and waiting-roOms
upon either side, a good substantial boat
| for teams and passengers, manned by
kind and genial officers, owned by men
we'll and favorab bly, known for ability and
| fairness. and who are ever seeking to
| serve the publ ac3eptably, but as we
have every reason to believe, without
profit although they have had the land
ings furnished at but smallexpense. Under
this service and that of the company
which Immediately preceded them, the
portion Of the town heretofore known
as South Portland and Willard has very
materially increased in valuation, say
$40. 600 annually, three-tourths of which
at 2 per cent. would amount to S600
| tax, which is, AS we think, directly at
tributable to theiestablishment of good
Ferry, for but very little growth was
manitest--while we had to depend upon
| the Canvas Bag" boats as many of US
too well remem Der. Then add to this
the 81 40 tax which the Peoples Ferry
Company pay (Which does not include
the Ferry House which is taxable this
year, and we have $40 net annual gain
| in tax.
| Now on the other hand if we are to re-
| turn to the old Inconvenience or similar
ones 25 per cent. is not too great a depre-
citation to name on the property in South
Portland district, the valuation ofsw hich
for the year 1894 is 1862, 1874, one-fourth
of which at 2 per cent. would amount to
$1,81G. which less the proposed srental Bof
81, 1000 would amount to $50 net loss by
| the proposed, scheme, to (which add the
| $40 increased tax which the present
accommodations are bringing to the
| town in excess of the old, and we have
81, $50 against the old and in favor of the
new ferry arrangements which does not
appear to me to be very lucrative bust
ness proposition" to say the. least. Thus
far we have made no mention of the con-
venience, saving of time, &C., to quite a
| large portion OF our town which is an
nually increasing by the conveying of
teams to and from Portland which is es-
pecially marked in mud time of spring
and fall. Indeed we have come to feel
it almost an indispensable necessity, and
| it is not only SO for the immediate resi-
dents of South Portland and Willard,
but often, while Portland Bridge is be-
| ing repaired. it is found to be quite a
general thoroughfare.
Now why in justice and equity should
| the thought be entertained of depriving
the eastern section of the town of the
means of conveyance to Portland by the
way of ferry boat, more than the
| western section by the way of Vaughan's
Bridge? Both are highways, both are
Indispensable to the prosperity and con-
venience of the town, both have been
built and maintained at the expense of
one by an Act of the Legislature is lease
able, or apparently SO, but practically
| the same conditions and requirements
surround both, save in this: Those who
travel over one have to pay toll, which
| is done without complaint or expense to
the town, while the other carries free.
1t may he said that by the vote passed
we may not be deprived of the benefits
of steam boat, that the present COM
pany will pay the 81 200 rental, and if
not some one else will who will give us
good service, &c. Now, as I have before
stated, the present company is doubtless
running their boat without profit, nor
will they, as l am well informed, pay
the 81, 600 orssanything as rentalEahove q
nominal sum nor should they be asked
or expected to.
| It was never thought or intended that
| this landing should be. a direct source OF
| revenue but should serve the interest of
| the town like other highways ana brldg-
es and thus far it has fully met the ex-
pectations of its projectors and friends.
| There are but two charters for running
boats across Portland Harbor one owned
by the Peoples'Ferry Co. the other by
the Portland & Cape Elizabeth Ferry Co.
hence the latter is the only one to (which
we may look for the compliance with
the above mentioned vote and we have
mad some experience with said Company
when they had exclusive control of the
situation but this proposer of this high
| leasing scheme this advancer Of "busi-
ness.propositions" does not deign to in
form the town what Accommodations were
| to be given or by whom furnished but
with very knowing (?) wag of the head
replies that he alone is responsible for
the proposition, is backed by no one, and
| furnishing piece of paper said to be
a 81 900 check, says he is able to ill the
hill &c.
Now I submit that in matter of SO
vital Importance to the interest of the
town. no steps should be made in the
dark, or chance taken but by the light
of past experience continue to do those
things which make for our hest good
and if the Peoples Ferry company will
continue to give rs good service as they
nave and ara now giving (although
without profit 20 them) there should be
no effort spared or stone left unturned
that the same may be continued and the
| tar re