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

; able mileage book ! was not thoroughly
convinced myself. but my mind has not
changed. that the railroads can afford 10
release purchasers from some rcstric-
lions, and 1t is my firm belief that they
Will ultimately be benefited by giving
the people Of this State more uniform
rates. In view OF the fact that the rail-
road committee has reported adversely
on the proposed bill. in regard to which
! had hoped that something OF a compro-
mise might be gained, perhaps not a COM
promise, but a grant 10 the people. and
! knowing now that the railroads are win
ing to concede somewhat to the demands
of these petitioners. am forced to SUBJ
init to the report of the committee; but
! do SO only from the fact that I know
that the people are getting some return.
] hold in my hand letter from another
railroad, also addressed to the gentleman
from Portland but which will read:
| Bangor. Me-, March L. 1899.
| Richard Webb. Esq, House of Repre-
sentatives, Augusta, Me-:
| Dear SIr-The Bangor & Aroostook
ftst1ITOdu 20. cannot, without loss, Issue
mileage books at cents per mile good
| for the bearer. Ours is, and must be for
all time, essentially freight road. but
for the best results In freight shipments
we must. even though at a loss. maintain
modern passenger service. We desire
to, and are in all ways trying to encour-
age development In northeastern Maine,
| and we want as far and as fast as we can
afford to accommodate every patron.
on behalf Of this company. that il We
can have legislation which win stop the
present speculation, and a, times fraud.
| in the matter OF handling our mileage
| books, we will, upon the 10O0-mile issue
request Of the purchaser~what viii make
| the same valid for use for his wife as
well as for himself.
The Bangor 4 Aroostook VIII be glad
to make reductions in local rates when
ever the condition of its affairs will
permit. Yours truly,
F. w. CRAM.
| Vice President and General Manager.
And in consideration of this promise
must submit to the report Of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. GARDNER of Patten: I have a
letter here from the Portland & Rumford
Falls Railway Co. of similar import to
that just read by the gentleman pre-
ceding:
Augusta, March !. 1899.
Mr.. II. p. Gardner, Augusta, Me-:
| Dear Sir-The management of the Port
! land 4 Rumford Falls Railway desire to
say to you one of the authors and ac-
| tive advocates of the proposed mileage
bill now pending in the Legislature. that
the passenger business of this railway is
now done at loss. its profits coming
| from its freight traffic, and the manage
ment are convinced that should the So
called 2-cent mileage (goooJ to bearer be
forced upon the company, It would cause
large additional loss 10 its passenger in
come.
We have for a series of years sold mile
| age books good to the purchaser whose
name is written in, and at request OF
i purchaser have always written in the
name of his wife, and 1t is our purpose
to continue this practice.
| The success that thus far has attended
| The management of this corporation we
attribute to it's settled policy of keeping
in touch with the general public, both in
giving to tnem the best rates 1t can afford
AS our business and earnings increase II
is our desire TO make reductions in our
| local passenger rates and at the same
| time improve the passenger service.
| This corporation thoroughly appreciates
(, the good will of the Legislative branch of
\ the State government SO generously ac-
corded it.
The interests of the public and the rail-
ways of Maine should be Identical, and 1t
will be the constant effort of the manage
ment of the Portland & Rumford Falls
Railway to contribute to this result.
| PORTLAND & RUMFORD FALLS
| RAILWAY. by Waldo Pettengill, its
| Vice President.
| l wish to say that, this morning, by a
unanimous vote of the friends of the So
called mileage bill" they agreed to "A
compromise offered by the different rail
way companies. We have agreed not to
oppose the so-called "anti-scalping bill.
with certain conditions regarding the re-
f, demption of the ticket by the purchaser.
| In return for that, and our withdrawal Of
| any fight on the floor of this House for
| legislation on the mileage book matters.
| we get this: We get the use of the mile
age book doubled; the railroads agree to
, issue a ticket good to a man and his wife.
| We also have their promises that they
will extend the use of that mileage book
as fast as possible. but what we get that
we claim most for what We get that We
claim is of the greatest beneut to the peo
pie of this State. and the reason why we
withdraw from this fignt and accept what
might be the inevitable, the committee
| report, is this-that the railroad corpora
| lions of this State have agreed, and they
| do agree, that as fast as possible, con-
sistent with safety to their business in
| terests. they will reduce their local pas
senger and freight rates, and it is only
/ that concession to the people of this State
| that actuates me in opposing no objection
to the acceptance of the committee re-
port.
Mr.. LEAVITT of PASSPORT: Having that
bill in charge. l want to say word in
| behalf of minor child among the rail-
roads. have telegram from President
/ Curran of the Washington County Rail-
road, which 1 will read: II
Calais. Me-, March ., 1SS9
Gen. 5. ID. Leavitt, Augusta:
The Washington County Railroad ca.
will agree to President Wilson'S PROPOSE
ton to include man and wife in mileage
| if scalping oil is passed.
: GEO. A. CURRAN.
With the explanations made by gentle
men friendly to the bill indorsing the az
ton of the committee in reporting legis-
lation inexpedlent at this time, 1 deem 1t
necessary now for me to move that the
report of the committee be accepted.
The motion was agreed to and the re-
port accepted.
Mr.. MACOMBER Of Augusta: I move
that the vote whereby this report was ac-