Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-16
CONCERNING RAILROADS.
Commissioners Will Be in Session,
Saturday at State House.
What Railroad Gazette Says About Action Of
the Board.

The railroad commissioners will hold
meeting at their room at the Capitol.
Saturday morning, commencing at 10
o'clock. A hearing on the approval of
a crossing of the highway in Canton
and Jay caused by the extension of the
Portland and Rumford Falls Railway
will be given.
Next Tuesday, the members of tho
board will go to Waldo to hold meet
ing on petition of the selectmen of that
town for the approval of highway
crossing over the Maine Central rail
road at that place.
Wednesday oct. Z, the commissioners
will be in session at the State House, tc
hear the petition of the Bangor x
Aroostook Railroad for branch track
to numbering station in Ashland.
The Railroad Gazette, commenting
on the action of the Maine commits
for an electric road between Gorham
and Wcstbrook:
One of the very few states that has
passed laws, empowering the railroad
commissioners to prevent the construc-
ton of new railroad, by refusing t.
grant a certificate. is Maine, and in that
State the law applies to electric street
lines as well as to standard railroads
A decision by the Maine commission
: l,;.- In,, x,ri1t hn II,
another column of this paper. All jul
dicial discussions of this subject are OF
interest now because the phrase re
quired for the public convenience, Is
somewhat elastic and liable to have
different meanings according to the
knowledge, temper or character OF tn"
men authorized to interpret it.
1t will be seen that the Maine com
missioners place upon it strict CON
struction The question whether or
not the establishment of high speed
street railroad would be useful, be-
tween towns already connected by
standard railroad, generally depends
| chiefly on how we'll the cars can ac-
commodate people by taking them ana
leaving them nearer their residences:
and in the case of a highway well
sprinkled with dwellings, with interme-
| date hamletS, it is often settled IN the
affirmative at the outset. Inc new
road has an advantage IN spite OF It's
lower speed and would have 1t even
without increased frequency. But pro-
| moters are often ready to go a step
| farther and to establish new street
railroad for dwellings yet to be bulit
| They act on precisely the same prln-
| ciple that is so familiar IN the west.
| where. in the process of popping the
| wilderness, the railroads have preceded
the towns. There can be no doubt that
new street railroads can quickly create
business for themselves. 1t is just here
that the Maine commissioners, follow
ing the Connecticut example, which
they cite. step in and draw the line.
Public convenience may at Some lu'uie
time need "A new street-car line, but II
does not now, and so the law IS heio 10
forbid the use of the street for such
purpose.
: Whether. in case of a crowded city
like London or New York where, the
oretically at least. thousands OF peo-
ple are suffering ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
they are unable to avail themselves OF
cheap suburban homes. the view taken
NV the Maine commissioners would be
equally sound might be dellcate
question: on this they give US no lighi.
We do not know what degree OF en-
liehtenment prevails among lnunlclpal
officers in Maine. as REGARDS the poilcy
of towns and cities toward street rail-
ro,d comnonies asking new and extern