The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-20

No Decision Given-State House Troubled
With Leaky Roof-Buckets and Hot
Steam Pipes In Requisition These Days
| Col, Stevens Spring Cleaning an Inter
esting Opuration.
| SPECIAL TO TIE PREss.J
| Augusta, March 19-Hon. Charles E.
Libby and Stephen G. Perry, ESQ.,, Of
Portland. appeared before the railroad
commissioners today in relation to the
new crossings Of the Portland & Roch-
ester and tho Portland electric railway
at Green street in Portland, and Morrill, S
Corner in Deering. The Green street
crossing Is the one due to the laying OF
additional tracks by the Portland &
Rochester road as has already been de-
scribed in the PRESS. That at Morrill, S
Corner is made necessary by the exton-
sion OF the electric line to Pride's bridge.
The officers of the two roads are agreed
as to the kind Of crossing to be used,
and today's discussion, which was of an
informal nature, was principally of the
methods to be adopted to prevent acoi-
dents. Mr. Perry. representing the Roch-
ester road, spoke of the question of the
expense of maintaining gates at Nor
rilPs Corner. Mr. Libby said that as
the gates were already there he ques-
toned the propriety of making the cleo
trio road pay part of the expense. The
extension of tho electric line would i'm
pose no additional burden upon the
Rochester road. as it is already required
to maintain the gates. If, however, the
commissioners deemed it best to order
the erection OF pole and ball signal,
such as In use at the Pleasantda1e CROSS
ing of the Cape Elizabeth and Boston &
Maine roads, Mr.. Libby would not OBJ
jeot to his road bearing half Of the ex-
pense of operating it. AS the man who
the gates, the effect of this arrangement
would be to divide the hire of employees
at the crossing between the two roads,
but it would not be a recognition of the
right of steam railroad to expect an
electric line to help pay for maintaining
gates in existence before the making of
the crossing and required for the pro-
teotion Of all travellers on the highway.
Mr.. Libby also suggested a change in
the language of the orders of the COM
mission in regard to the ball signals, so
that they shall direct that il the ball or
lantern is up. approaching trains of the
steam road must stop, the eleotrics having
the right Of way. If the ball Or lantern
is down, the electric cars must not GROSS.
| Chairman Peakes explained that in the
operation of the ball signal in this city,
the ball was left up giving the electrics
the right OF way when trains were ap-
preaching. The signal man knowing of
course when trains were coming, lowered
the ball so that the trains could pass
without stopping.
| 1t would seem that with the order
framed SO that there could be no chance
| of misunderstanding as to the meaning,
! the system would be as safe as any that
can be devised for guarding against ac-
oidents at grade GRO ssings. Whether the
ball is up or down, either the train or
the electric car must stop.
| The commissioners did not formulate
| their decision today, but it is probable
that at both the new crossings these sig
nails will be establish ed
These clustering March days make
| work at the State House, for the wings
of the old portion of the structure are
getting to be like serves and the roof on
the addition always did leak in certain
kinds Of weather, and always will until
| it is taken off and replaced by one of
suitable construction. The trouble with
the roofssof the wings of the main build
ing is due to age, the tin with which they
are covered having worn through. The
driving storms like the one which is
raging here this afternoon. would give
every body in the Governors apartments
shower bath were it not for the efforts
of the bucket brigade in the garret.
Sometimes 20 or 80 pals are in use head
ing off the water spouts. The roof hav-
ing given out in winter, it is impossible
to fix it, but care has prevented any dam
age to the building. In the spring. Col.
Stevens, the custodian of the building.
will have roof put up there, which will
| Sneu wafer. 1Q6 TOOL OI Ul5 new 6XUGn-
sion cannot be replaced until the legisla-
ture meets, as it is a job requiring spec
I ial appropriation. A new roof will be
a piece of economy, however, for now
I In snow storm the only way to prevent
the snow from backing up" as the
builders say, and coming through the
roof, is to melt it, steam pipes being
placed under the roof for that purpose.
A good, old-tashioned snow storm is jus t
about a match for a ton and a half of
COAL The present roof consists of slate
wired to iron battens, no wood being
used. 1t is proposed to replace this with
a plank roof covered with copper.
Col. Stevens has been energetically
at work since he took charge of the build
ing and has made many changes. The
building was wired for electricity by
piecemea1, and in basement and garret
there was perfect net work of wires,
some of them heavily charged Workman