Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-11-09

THE LOCATION OF THE OXFORD COUNT
RAILROAD, FROM BRYAxr's POND I
RunroRD FALLS, DENIED Br I'll
COMMISSIONERS.
The railroad commissioners OF Main
have announced their decision, denyiu
the prayer Of the petitioners for loo
ton Of the Oxford County Railroad, rui
ming from Brysnt's Pond to Rumfor
Falls. The full text Of the decision
given below:
Petitions FROM several towns In o,
ford County, signed by over one tho,
sand citizens, state that public CO,
venience requires the building of tn
proposed railroad. Nearly ~ man
other citizens from towns In Oxfor
County have demonstrated against III
proposed road and state that the railroa
facilities afforded by the Portland an
Rumford Falls Railway are ample {
transact all the business Of the sectio
Of country around Rumford Falls.
Petitions for railroad on the groun
OF public convenience are OF very it'll
value, when as many other citizens q
equal intelligence and Judgment 10 tn
same county, demonstrate against Il
They are especially uncertain and an
satisfactory, when, a. In this case, cei
tain persons sign both petition and RI
moustrsnce, and then come before tn
commissioners and endeavor TO explai
their inconsistency. These petition
generally express no facts, but simpl,
the opinions and desires Of the petition
)ers; and when the names Of several ar
found both upon petition and remon
STRANGE, we do not feel that either petit
ton or remonstrxnce can have mucl
weight az evidence, and we must seek |
from other sources. We will first, how
ever, consider the many objections which
are urged against the location OF tn
proposed road. First, that the proposed
line runs along certain highways. Sec
ond, that the line runs through certain
dwelling houses, and In one case
through the corner Of cemetery
These matters, however, can be easil!
arranged, and are controlled by statute
Another and more serious objection
IL 10 dangerous grade crossing Will
the Portland and Rumford Falls Rsil
way. IL we can save human life or pre-
vent injury to persons or property by re
fusing grade crossings which would b
dangerous, We feel that II !,
our duty to do IL; but "a the location o.
an overhead crossing might be finally
obtained, or such safeguards ordered Al
would reduce the danger TO minimum
we should not refuse location for this
reason alone.
Another, and We fear fatal objection
raised TO the location, is this: The arti
eles OF association describe line Of
railroad from Bryant's Pond TO Rumfort
Falls, through certain towns named
with branch 10 Andover. The length
Of this railroad Is stated, "as nearly q,
may be- at thirty miles, with . capita
stock Of else, 900. The proposed lint
now appears to be thirty-three and six
tenths miles Ia length, as stated bv the
engineer, and by the papers on file 10
the case. We have no doubt that we
may approve a line thirty-four miles In
length, although stated "ss nearly as
NAV be" q, thirty miles, fit has the
capital stock required by statute; but
the more serious question which con-
fronts US IL whether we can approve q
line more than thirty miles In length un-
less the capital stock, 10 the language OF
the statutes, .'is at least six thousand
dollars per mile" IL we can approve m
excess OF four miles, why may ne no;
approve an excess Of forty miiess Per,
hsps the capital stock may be increased,
under the statutes, but II has not been
done; and the conclusion 10 which We
have arrived upon the question OF public
renders II unnecessary to
the other question.
A large number OF citizens OF several
towns In Oxford County testified before
the board. Some gave reasons whv pub
lie convenience requires the building oil
The proposed road, and some gave res-
sons Why. In their judgment, the loca-
ton should not be allowed.
All OF the reasons given have some
weight. and have been given due con-
siderstion by the board; but having
taken two days Ia examination OF the
proposed route, we gained very strong
impression in relation to the matter
under consideration. We find that the
whole valuation OF the towns and
through which the proposed
road would run. excepting those towns
situsted on the line OF the Grand Trunk
Railroad, and the Portland and Rumford
Falls Railroad, IL about $3.50, 900; while
the estimated cost OF the proposed rail-
road. with equipments, sa0o, 600 more
than that, or $3.50, COO.
While the proposed road might be
for the citizens OF these towns,
and especially for the town OF Aodover,
IL IL certainly not such public con-
venience as requires the building or II,
and we must look further 20 ascertain II
there Is any additional public con-
yenience 10 be observed; and we are
forced 10 the conclusion that whatever
real demand there Il for the proposed
railroad comes from the village of Rum
ford Falls and vicinity. +.
Representation Il mad. on behalf ot
certain industries xt Rumford Falls that
. competing liue OF railroad l. necessary
In order To secure lover rates for freight
that the Portland and Rcmfod Fall
Railway has Disseminated in freigi'
rates syainst the Rumford Falls indu.-
tries. in favor of certsir industries "a
OH, Falls, on the new hrs och at the
Portland and Rumford Falls Railway.
That while the rate has heen seven cent.
Der hundred pounds FROM Rumford Fall.
10 Portland. it has been only i've cents
Der hundred pounds from Otis Falls q
over practically the same
distance.
The Portland aud Rumford Falls Rail-
way replies, admits this discrimination III
rates 10 Portland, but says that Rumforu
Falls IL q billing point TO and from IN.
West. aud that Otis Falls Il not; ant
,ha, while Rumiord Falls parties hsv,
been paying two cents per hundred II
excess OF Otis Falls rates into Portland
the conditions are such that Obs Falls
parties have been st the same time pay.
ing two cents per hundred In excess o
Rumford Falls rates TO and from poin:'
in the West.
We are aware that the matter o.
freight rates Ia q complex and difficult
one 10 adjust. Ifthere has been discrimin
alton Ia rates on the part OF the Portland
and Rumford Falls Railway it should nj
once cease. Railroads, although privsr'
are yet common carriers ant
public servants. They receive theiI
charters from the state, and are givel
the right of eminent domain as for publi'
uses. Upjust discrimination then BY
railroad companies in the matter OF pas
senger or freight rates, whenever II oc
ours should not he tolerated. or course
as we have said, the adjustment OF rate
TO be entirely fair and just TO all parties