The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-09-16
MUST MISUNDERSTANDING
steam Roads 20 NE Taught that New
Factor Is 60 be Taken Int consid-
GRAFTON.

Hon. Charles =. Libby OF Portland
was one Of the speakers at the meeting of
electric railroad men at Msrrymeeting
park Thursday. He said.
After the. ride we have had today over
the line Of this splendid system, and after
this banquet served in this magnificent
casino, feel TO congratulats In behalf OF
myself and the gentlemen here present,
the man who Is SO largely responsible for
all this that we have seen. This man ie
Mr.. Gerald, my friend. All this IL the
outcome Of his enterprise, his courage ana
bis determination to push this venture TO
triumphant conclusion. No man In the
state is more a pioneer In the building
and the development OF electric railroa DIS
than MIR. 6erald. He has been tho man
to see opportunities where others have
seen only fai lures. He has had the cour-
age of bis convictions and is responsible
for the establishment OF electrical enter
prise In this state on higher basis than
Is afforded by mere local trolley road.
IL Is he who has developed the trolley
system in distinction from the trolley
line.
During the development Of the electric
roads Of the state have been in a meas.
ure on the outside OF affairs. have
listened to the prophecies. have heard
failure predicted. But now 1 bscome verY
humble In the face Ut the remar gable
Developments that we can see around us
AS well as that which future appears 60
promise.
~ truly think the day is approaching
when the coal burning locomotive with
Its waste of energy will be abolished and
the electric motor or the air locomotive
will be substituted. And, in respect to
the Idea of consolidation and connection
that has been advanced by Mr.. Gerald,
l think myself that It will not be very
far in the future when we can ride from
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico In a palace
car like the Merry without any
change II we 40 wish 1t, and II we have
char cred the car for the trip.
behind all this electrical development
that we have seen are public need and
demand. Otherwise the roads would not
have been built. For we all know the op-
RONAtASh eAAb nus INV VIC at
every turn. But in spite OF and above
this opposition the cleo trio roads have
been put through. The situation has
been at all times embarrassing for both
sides. 1t is now time when the estah-
iished steam interests In the transporta-
tion lines must realize that there is an
other element that must he taken into
consideration. The electric roads have
been called ly the people and the people
will have their will. There must he
better understanding on these matters be.
tween tina people, the lawmakers ana the
management of the roads. i don't know
Of any letter organization to bring about
the achievement of this understanding
than this association of the Maine electric
railroad men, here represented today.
l think that every man who travels and
who calls for transportation has to recog-
nize that his friends are among the street
railroad men who sack TO develop the
transportation traffic aud put down fares,
and not among these who oppose such
development. Generally speaking the
electric roads have made a mistake in
that they have fought the steam roads
single-handed instead of making the con-
test one In which the general electric in
terests Of thu state have Joined hands
under the banner of public necessity and
demand. This association ought to have
regular meetings in the future and
aoco mplish "a close organization so that
hereafter when matters nome before the
legislature we shall be abls to see that
our claims are strongly presented and
that we have proper recognition and
protsction. -