The Portland daily press., 1898-02-28

1t eAlStS on the plans. Inc pOrtl0n WHICH IL Is
wn across the street.
much in mind as any man in the city OF
Portland. Not only is he engaged in
| business here but he owns q large amount
of real estate as we'll and anything which
tends to build up the city increases the
| value of his property Mr.. Thomas wanted
the matter put over to the next city gov
eminent to be acted upon with less haste
and give the property owners who were
effected by this matter chance to present
their side of the case. The Mayor told Mr..
Thomas that the committee was obliged
| to make its report on the matter before
the meeting OF the next city government
when such action could be taken as was
| thought best.
MAJOR SIDNEY W. THAXTER
was called upon to express his opinion in
regard to the matter. He said that he was
not personally affected one way or the
other by the matter but ne should earn
estly recommend to the committee that
favorable report on the discontinuance of
| East Commercial street be made. The
Grand Trunk requires more trackage.
The road hasIheen very much hampered
his winter by the crowded condition Of
! it's freight yard. The development of Port
| land depends to great extent on the de-
velopment of the Grand Trunk. East
Commercial street was laid out over a
generation ago and has never been built
| and there is little likelihood of its ever be.
ing needed. The merchants on CONNER
cial street who use the Grand Trunk
would also be greatly benefited by the
granting of this petition.
| Clarence A. Hight, associate counsel
for the Grand Trunk stated what the road
desired to do and said that if the street
was discontinued il would allow the rail-
diyidual holders.
| j. H. BLAKE
spoke against the granting of the petition
on the ground that the city Weuld find
the need of East Commercial street few
years hence and that if the Grand Trunk
side tracks were augmented under Mum
joy hill it would greatly depreciate the
value of property on the Eastern Prone
made.
BENJAMIN THOMPSON, ESQ.
spoke at some length in favor Of the
granting of the petition He said that the
committee should fsvorably report on the
petition and allow the property owners to
obtain their damages in the courts. The
{N n
Trunk has done much for Portland and
will do more. The freight yard under the
Eastern Promenade does not injure prop
erty on the hill in the least and all good
citizens should rejoice to see the Grand
Trunk prosperous and doing an immense
business.
LEANDER W. FOBES
spoke against the granting of the petition
and suggested that the proposed park way
which had been contemplated around the
base of Munjoy hill should be taken into
consideration.
PARK COMMISSIONER JORDAN
said that the discontinuance of East Com
mercial street would in no way affect the
plans of the park commissioners, who
would be glad to see the street discoa-
tinued as it would insure the slope of the
Eastern Promenade not being built upon
and give the city chance to acquire the
land on this slope to add to the Eastern
Promenade
DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT COT
TER
of the Grand Trunk said that few men
realize the amount of tonnage which has
come into Portland during the past win
| ter. 1t will equal the tonnage of Boston
| for thu winter months and In few years
| it will exceed the tonnage OF New York
| if the Grand Trunk has o chance to. ex-
| tend it's system. 1t would not be feasible
for the Grand Trunk to so outside the city
to build Its freight yard and 1t would
greatly hamper the road If 1t was Obliged
| to do this. The Grand Trunk has to give
q guarantee to the steamships of full
cargo and pay for any vacant space.
Every day that steamship is delayed IN
port over her sailing time costs to the
Grand Trunk $500. 1t is most necessary
that enough freight yard room should be
had to keep enough freight on hano 10
prevent delay in shipment If there are Dig
storms to delay traffic.