The Portland daily press., 1897-04-02

|
| New Iron Structure at This Point to b,
Paid for BY Railway Companies ant
City.
| The "Railroad parlor' as the pretty
northwest parlor Of the West End hotel
has come to be known, was again rail
road commissioner court yesterday
afternoon. The full board was in at.
tendance and they had peculiar hearing
| on their hands. Just what is the legal
status of the various parties whose in.
| terests are affected by the matter at issue
| is yet doubtful quantity. just exactly
to what extent the jurisdiction Of the
commissioners extends in the case is
matter open to argument. The COM
inissioners themselves stated at thu close
| of the hearing that several Of the points
involved were novel ones and must be
examined carefully before any decision
was rendered.
The hearing itself was on the matter
OF the petition Of the Rochester railroad
for official sanction Of change in their
tracks under what is known as the
Washington street bridge over the Margi-
nal Way. This hearing was calle1 some
weeks or SO ago and was continued yester-
day. 1t was stated at the time that this
was done to give the representatives of
the electric roads IL chance to be heard
in the matter. These roads, the Port
land Railroad and the prospective Var
month limo IL ha
bridge which must be constructed over
the Portland & Rochester ira chs in their
approach to Tukey's bridge and would
want to be heard in regard 20 the kind
of structure TO be erected. Judging
from the state ments of the counsel yes
terday, these two companies were not at
all solicitous of being heard but, on the
contrary, were present by reason of a
polite invitation from the board of COM
missioners and the function was In the
nature of a surprise party to them.
There was an imposing array of legal
lights in evidence. Ex-Governor Clenves
and S. G. Perry, Esq, represented the
Rochester, Hon. C. F.iIIibby, the Port
land Railroad Co., Hon. Seth L. LARA
bee the Yarmouth road, while City So
lfcitor Morrill, cared for the interests of
Portland in the premises. For Iaymen
President Wascott and Supt Peters of
the P. & R., President Wood and Supt.
Newman of the p. r. r. Co., President
Wheilden and Clerk Harris Of the Var
mouth e. Il. Co., and Comm issioner of
Public Works, George N. Fernald were
present as witnesses or interested specta-
tors.
Mr.. Perry opened the case for tie petit
TONERS, the Rochester railroad. He said
the roal desired change and enlarge.
ment of their track facilities at the point
on the Marginal Way and 1t has been
found that public necessity demanded
new bridge Oh Washington street over
the tracks. A bridge similar to the pres.
ent inexpensive structure somewhat lar
ger would answer all requirements of the
Rochester and cognizant Of the fact that
in the near future two electric lines
would necessarily pass over the bridge
1t had been suggested that all the parties
interested share with the city the cost of
handsome and substantial structure
over the Marginal Way that would suit
all parties interested and be credit to
the city. For its own needs the z. r,
did not need such structure but it
would waive its rights in the matter and
stand its share of the expense for a
handsome and enduring bridge.
(The counsel exhibited here plans and
specifications for two bridges carrying
out their idea. One is "Pony Truss;
and costa SO, 600, the other ''span
girder" slightly more expensive. 1t is
proposed to raise the present grade and
widen the bridge with the plans of the
new Tukey's bridge.)
President Wescott was called as a wit
ness and in answer to questions pro-
bounded by Mr.. Perry and Gov. Cleaves
he substantiated the statements made
by Mr.. Perry. In answer to questions by
Mr.. Libby be stated that the change in
the tracks was to give the road needed
room and allow more economical
operation of the commercial branch Of
the road between the depot and the
Grand Trunk. He stated that the usual
form had been followed in asking the
city government for permission to re-
quest Of the commissioners location. 1t
was the suggestion Of the commission
that the electric roads be asked to at
tend the hearing. He didn't know who
first suggested the iron bridge. This
hearing was On petition for approval
of a cruising asked of the commissioners.
g Mr.. Libby: 'tIs it not fact that the
change of plans came out Of the city's
desire for bridge of similar size and
keeping with the new Tukey's bridgef''
MIR. Wescott-'It may be very likely"
Commissioner Fernald stated the idea
was ss{to widen the bridge IL feet,
making it DC feet in all In width in
keeping with Tukey's bridge. He stated
to Mr.. Libby that the city would not
raise the grade were it not for the change
in the Rochester tracks. To Mr.. Perry
he stated that the electric roads wore of
course taken into consideration in the
plans for an iron bridge. Mr.. Fernald
went into the details of the plans of the