Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-10

cuSseSIlOH d uOuOt, VI CO0A sc,
in the minds of the supporters of the
bill-that If the committee believed II
was not wise to pass the bill as 1t had
been drafted, the committee might at
least grant part of the prayer of
these petitioners; If the committee
were not satisfied that il was wise to
remove all restrictions placed upon the
sale of mileage books, they might at
least remove Il part of them; II the
ticket could not be made good for
bearer, it might at least be made good
for "A man and his family, or for the
members of the same firm. provided
the names of~the family or of the firm
were written in the book at the time of
purchase. But this committee, after
having taken time for careful and
thorough deliberation has reported adj
| versely upon the original measure, and.
as ] understand it, that legislation is
nexpedient on the entire subject.
Now, Mr.. Speaker. 1t makes no par
ticular difference to any one except
| myself what my own personal opinion
| may be. but 1t certainly does seem to
me that railroads might issue such
books without seriously injuring them
selves, and under some circumstances
l should be disposed to make an effort
to secure thai result by means Of leg
| islation. But l do not do so now be-
cause ! believe that results in that
same direction may effectually be ac-
| complished without legislation.
There is another reason also which
| induces me to take this position. and
that is that the pending bin does not
| 40 III
| cannot for one moment assent to the
proposition that these petitions mean
| nothing and that the whole source of
| this agitation is in this State House.
| They do mean something. They mean
great deal. Thirteen or fourteen
thousand people from all over this
| State have petitioned to this Legisla-
| .ure for one single thing. 1t may be
| that many of them have never used a
mileage book: it may be that many of
| them never would use a mileage hooi;
| even if this bill should be passed; ii
may be that many of them do not I'M
derstand the real question presented;
| but | cannot doubt that great many
| of them do understand the question
| and do understand and do feel that
| there is occasion for something to be
| done. But the real cause of complain,
! which has caused these petitioners in
| such large numbers to sign these Pc
| titions is not entirely the restrictions
| placed on the sale of mileage books
| but is a feeling of dissatisfaction with
| existing railroad rates, with local rates
| as well as mileage rates, with freight
| rates as well as passenger rates. And
| these petitioners say, in a voice so
! loud that it cannot be unheard and in
| a manner so clear that it cannot be
| mistaken, that the existing railroad
| rates need revision. Mr.. Speaker. l be-
lieve that every railroad director in the
| State of Maine has heard that voice.
I believe every one understands what it
| means. believe that they will listen
| to the voice and heed the warning.
| Now | hold in my hand letter which,
| although it is addressed To me person
| ally. is intended for the members of
| this House:
Portland Me. March >. 1899.
| Richard Webb. Esq, House of Repre-
| sentatives, Augusta. Me-:
| Dear Sir-The widespread agitation in
| favor of Il 2-cent mileage cook, good to
| bearer. which has taken form in numer-
Gus petitions presented to the LegisIature
| and in the effort there being made to Sc
| cure legislation to this end, has caused
| the Maine central Railroad Company. in
| the State, to carefully consider whether
! its past present and prospective passen-
| ger business will warrant Il more general
use of such books. ts a m ta
1t has been the policy of this company
| 20 accede to all reasonable demands made
| by our customers in the matter of rates
| and train service whenever it has been
| possible for it to do so, anu ii would give
| us great pleasure now to Issue trans
| ferable mileage book without legislation
compelling us to do so. were we not con-
| WINGED that such action upon our part
would seriously cripple us. We especially
| .ieprecate legislation upon this subject.
| rven II 1t does not. go to the extent sug-
gessed in the pending Sn bill Because it.
bad; because it implies lack of conf
dence in the management which has al
ways endeavored to serve the best inter-
| ests of the people of Maine. and If the
| impression is created abroad that the
Legislature of Maine is disposed to inter-
| fere with the practical management of
treme cases involving a clear abuse of
power. the value of our securities will be
| unfavorably affected in the hands of in
vestors; and to show that this company
appreciates the force of the popular de-
mand and is disposed 10 meet all cOnces-
sions thereto within its power. We will
at once place on sale mileage books
may be used for his wiIe as well as him
! self. provided legislation shall be enacted
which will tend to protect the company
from the irregular use of such books. IL
future experience in the use of mileage
books under these modified conditions
shall demonstrate that additional changes
| in their form can safely be made. 1t will
| be the pleasure of the management, to
make them. In the meantime. III there
now exists any CAPABILITIES or injustice In
our local passenger rates or in our freight
rates, it will be our endeavor to discover
them and apply a remedy as we have al
Ways endeavored to do in the past.
We trust that the people of Maine, as
represented in the Legislature, VIII re-
ceive these, assurances in the fair and
| friendly spirit with which they are given
| and we assure them that it Is our lnteh-
ton to do alive can TO aid In the devel-
opment of the State and to seOneeder to
| the people all that the proper manage
ment of the large business interests COM
mitted to our care will allow
Very truly yours,
GEO. +. EVANS.
Vice President and General mama ger.
| Mr.. Speaker. in view Of the assurances
contained in this letter and in other lei-
| ters which are in the hands of other
members Of this House. wish to inter
nose no objection to the acceptance Of
| this report. (Applausep.
| Mr.. PIERCE of Blaine: In manner
LI have been from the first identified VITA
| ..;. ,oneo ~ a reduction of mileage rates.