The Portland daily press., 1897-07-19
VIM. LYONS, esq,
an attorney-at-law, said:

out freight or passenger transportation
facilities. The Mountain Division of the
Maine Central railroad pays but little at
tention to the accommodation Of travel in
this.section and passengers for Harrison
and neighboring towns are obliged to GO
by stage or steamer to reach their destin-
ations. Beside affording better facilities
of travel to Westbrook and Portland, it
would have tendency to increase the
| business interests of the section through
| which the road passes, and would be
great help in opening up to its fullest
capacity the excellent water power of
that country, particularly at Little Falls
in Windham. In regard to real estate in
the territory through which the road
passes, it would increase the value. The
construction and equipment of this road
with power houses and other necessary
things will require an expenditure, as
am informed, of $3.50, 900 to $500, 600, which
is an immense sum of money to be ex-
pended in so short time as the company
has for it's construction. If the road is
built by local company as contemplated,
home labor will be employed and q large
part of the cost of construction would be
distributed to persons living along the
route of the road and adjoining towns.
CAPT I. F. QUIMBY,
an old resident of Westbrook, in the
course of his remarks said: II believe
thoroughly in the road. / think it will
concentrate the trade of the surrounding
country and make Westbrook more of
| trading center. 1t would have a tendency
to open up the markets and other avenues
of trade and make Westbrook what it is
naturally adapted to be, thriving COM
mercial center. The electric service be-
tween Portland and Westbrook is good,
but if the line were extended to Harrison
to take in the towns contemplated, West.
brook then would be a great trading CEN
ter. People now in this locality do con-
siderable of their trading in Portland but
we have every facility for doing business
cheaper than it can be done in Portland,
therefore the prices of goods are as low
If not lower as result. I believe the
road would open up valuable territory
and Westbrook would be greatly bene-
fitted thereby. Farmers could bring their
products into the Westbrook markets and
shipments could be made as readily from
here as in Portland and at the same
freight tariff. They can then purchase
their products in these markets. There
was time when the citizens were opposed
to corporations entering the city but that
feeling has disappeared as the people see
the benefits derived in furnishing en-
ployment to laborers. So too with an
electric railroad system; it would be a
great benefit to the community. believe
that the city should lend its aid to a
reasonable extent as the road is for the
interests of our own people.
EX-MAYOR W. W. CUTTER,
a leading merchant, said: IT am thor
oughly in favor of seeing road put
through that territory. As o business
man, believe it would be great devel-
oper of the commerce of the country and
would have a great tendency toward
bringing the people here. The farmers
can ship their products from here as well
as from anywhere else and at as low rates
and our markets can supply them with
necessities as cheaply as any others. I
cannot conceive Of the ability of the city
to lend it's assistance in financial way,
but believe that the road is a necessity
and should be encouraged by local invest
ors."
MR.. A. II. BENOIT,
one of Westbrook's enterprising business
men, said:
Il think that the proposed Westbrook
and Harrison electric railway would be a
great benefit to the merchants of this
city. 1t will bring large amount of
new trade, that never before thought of
coming here to buy. Westbrook is good
market and what we need is better facili-
ties to bring the people in. The road will
benefit the working people, because it
will give employment to them. New in
dustries are also more likely to come to
our city than before"
MR.. W. B. BOOTHBY
expressed himself as follows: 81 believe
thoroughly in opening up the territory
contemplated by an electric system. We
should then come in touch with valua-
BILE territory which would open up ave-
nues of trade which would center very
largely here, as in almost every line OF
business we are as well equipped to meet
the competing prices of the markets. The
road would give employment to a num-
Der Of Westbrook people, and this in
wages would increase the circulating me-
dunn in the city. If the city loans it's
funds to the proposed road the money it
seems to me will be well invested and
ought to yield a respectable income. The
taxes of the city ought to be increased
but very small amount as we have a
large valuation upon which to assess the
amount. The additional tax to each tax
payer would not be of any serious conse-
quence. The road is necessity and local
support should be given it,"
DIR. J. l.. HORR