The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-17
WIDENING OAK STREET.
The Auditors VIII All Require Heavy
Damages.

Ii tOCGU OAS DUAu&AS VI tAkV OP01& AAOAse
win Be Delayed-AlI the Plans Look to
Occupying All the Ground.
The committee on laying out new
streets brought up the case Of widening
Oak street from Free street to Spring
street, yesterday morning at the Mayors
Office Mayor Baxter, Alderman Kehoe.
Councilmen Brown aud Mcdonald and
Commissioners Fernald were present.
The proposed widening wall if carried
out, takes fifteen feet off of the eastern
side of the street. from land occupied by
Mrs. Banks, MR. 8. A. True, and the
new theatre corporation. Judge Robin
son appeared for Mrs. Banks, County
Attorney True for Mr.. s. A. True and
President Wright, Gov. CIeaves Hon. E.
b. Winslow and Ammi Whitney, ESQ.,, of
the Board of Directors of the new opera
house.
Gov. Cleaves commented on the marked
advantages which would accrue to the
public at large by the addition of such
q handsome building as tie opera house
which has for so many years been desired
by our people. We have been long time,
said he, waiting, but the fond idea is
about to be realized, plans have bean
drawn, specifications made. and for
several weeks work has been progressing
on the foundation. And now comes the
consideration Of petition to widen one
of the streets upon which the lot rests If
1t should be decided to widen the street,
claims for damages would arise and as
the city and corporation would fail to
agree on the amount, there would be a
series Of litigation extending over
year. The work on the house would con-
sequently cease and again we would have
another postponemNnt Of our much
cherished scheme.
'sWhat do you think would be q fair
amount for damages to the corporation
provided that tho street must be
widenedP' asked the governor of MIR.
Whitney.
81 should say $4,000 wouldn't be plac-
ing it too HIGH" anwered Mr.. Whitney.
Mr. Winslow spoke in3the same tenor
as the govern or. Our people have been
looking forward to the opera house long
and earnestly. Every body knows by this
time how much the question has been
agitated and how many obstacles have al
ways been in the path Of success. But
now we are beginning to see something
in the way Of defniteness. And yet,
stated Mr.. Winslow, II shan't be salts
fed that our long expected hopes are
finally brought anywhere near a req liza
uoin until l stand on the site and look
up to SEQ the walls of the building. AS
regards Oak street, the large part of the
carriage patronage will be on Free street
where there is to be very wide front. "
In conclusion Mr.. Winslow suggested
that this opportunity was not yet lost to
widen On the western side Of the street.
70 this proposition, Mayor Baxter said
that in such an event the street would DO
rendered crooked.
'sAll our plans will have to be disoon-
tinued at once" remarked President
Wright, when called upon. sit will de-
lay matters, for how long I know not,
but for some considerable time-perhaps
indefinitely. We have already allowed
four feet to the city and think that this
should bessufiioient. Provided that an
additional foot is desired, and you believe
that it must be had, everything in our
plans must be immediately changed. We
purchased the Hanson property which
adjoins on the east, and did this so to
have an annex on the southern side OF
the same. II the street is widened the
theatre corporation will have to suffer
still more expense by tearing down the
large three story house.
'sI am IN favor Of bsautifylng our
city," continued this head Of the new en-
terprise, ''and one of the best ways in do
ing it is by widening our streets AS FAR
as am personally concerned l should
like TO see them all made broader. But
1t seems to NE that under the circum-
stances this widening Of Oak street is
not called for ana should remain as it
now is
Samuel A. True, Esq, whose residence
is on the southeasterly corner of Free and
Oak also appeared. He was with his son,
County Attorney True, who acted as
counsel When called upon, MIR. True
said that he had no objections. It was
simply question of damages with him,
and as to what the amount of damages
would be to his property he was unable
to say.
Judge Robinson said he appeared for
Mrs. Banks, and if her land was taken
she would expect to be properly oompen-
stated for 1t.
Here the hearing ended. The commit
tse then talked the matter over, but came
to no decision.