The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-22
Mr.. H. NJ. Sargent voiced his hearty

MIR. H. NJ. Sargent voiced his hearty
approval of the project
Mr.. William Senter spoke similarly as
did also Mr.. Fritz II. Jordan, who also
spoke at some length of the demands of
Boston and other ports in this connec-
tlon, and the much greater reasonable
ness of our demand.
Mr.. h. M. Lawrence, manager of the
Portland Stove Foundry company, spoke
briefly in support of the movement.
Collector Deering spoke of the great
value of the Grand Trunk railway to this
city, and of it's increased future value,
as the result of their putting a Yankee
in charge OF it. New York received over
o-thirds of all the importation to this
country. 1t causes congestion and
delay there of the goods destined for thu
great West. II the Grand Trunk makes
move to get this trade it is going to come
through Portland. Today there was
shipment of goods for Milwaukee via the
Grand Trunk. But if the Grand Trunk
is going to carry this freight our harbor
must be suitable for the steamers that
bring it.
| 1t is said that our commerce is inereas-
ing, but the fact is that the number of
ships is decreasing. We lost the Beaver
line this winter which went to st. John.
We hadn't accommodations here for the
ships of that line.
This deepening of our harbor is not
only important to us, but to the Board of
Trade of Chicago, Omaha and as far
West as Denver. Their goods are held
up in New York by the jam
there They're SO overrun with COM
lneree in New York that it is fact that
goods landed here can reach the mer-
| chant in New York quicker than if they
were landed in New York itself This
seems srtong statement, but it is true.
Collector Deering read ex-Mayor Mat
thew's statement of the need of six mil
lions for Boston harbor and his argu-
ment that it was the most important
matter before Massachusetts, at the pres
ent time. 1t is equally important for
Portland to be keeping up with the
! times.
Byron D. Verrill, ESQ.,, treasurer of the
Portland company, spoke In hearty en-
dorsement of the project, as did also Cap
! tain Andrew j. York.
| Captain Began was introduced as hay
! ing been captain of our tow boats for the
l y
had talked with United States Engineer
DamrelI about the middle ground and
had told him that at one point there was
only fourteen feet of water at low tide.
He also spoke of the shailowness of the
upper harbor and the narrowness of the
channel there at low tide.
At the end of the Marine railway.
some $50 feet distant, oven the tugs
would stir up the bottom and endanger
their propellors. Very often the vessels
when backed out of the docks strike in
the mud on the their side at low water.
He hoped that he would live to see the
harbor widened and deepened SO that the
largest ship could go up to the bridge
and into any dock.
| Mr.. George S. Hunt said that he didn't
believe that the public realized the i'm
portance of this matter. He offered
resolution stating that it was estimated
that the cost of the necessary widening
AMI deepening would be $3.50, 900 and
| that the Board of Trade urge upon our
representative in Congress the appropri-
alton Of this sum. This was to be in
corporated in the general resolution.
MIR. L. A. Cloudy spoke earnestly in
support OF the project. He said that it
seemed only fair that the chief CONNER
cial city of Maine should be accorded this
necessary support from the national gov
eminent, il only in compensation for the
great services that Names Congressional
| delegation have rendered the country,
| as they are recognized as leaders
| among the statesmen of the whole coun-
try.
Mr. Hunt referred TO Mayor Baxter's
assurance of the city governments ap-
prevail and action, and hoped that such
action would certainly be taken.
Mayor Baxter said that he should soon
call meeting of the city council to take
such action.
On motion of Louis A. Goudy, second
ed by John B. Coyle, it was voted to ac-
cept the resolution and to send it to our
representative in Congress
| President Winslow stated that a strong
explanatory letter would be sent along
! with it.
Mr. Coyle suggested that it would be
desirable to send personal letters to our
| representatives. He himself would do
so. Presid emit Winslow thought this an
excellent suggestion and urged that all
the members make such personal effort.