The Portland daily press., 1899-01-31

will be sufficient to Offset the extra board
charged for prisoners laboring In the
shop, and a part, II not all, Of the inter-
est on the money invested in the machin-
cry, tools and appliances.
An account OF the earnings and rum
ming expenses. including renewal and re-
pairs, for the year 1898, Is herewith sub
mitted, which shows a balance OF $5SS 10
to the credit OF the shop. As all the stock
on hand is prospectiveiy disposed OF at
certain prices, and inventoried according
~, the only probable discount will be on
bills receivable which, at six per cent,
would leave net earnings over expenses
for the year some three hundred dollars.
IL should be rememered, however, that
the extra board paid for prisoners at la
Dor, the interest on the money invested
IN the plant and capital invested in the
business are not considered, and never
have been by any board OF commissioner
in their reports since the workshop was
established in 1875.
We also submit a balance sheet for the
past six years which, when the probable
discounts on bills receivable Is consid-
cred, shows that notwithstanding earnest
effort the business has not paid its run
ming expenses, renewals and repairs.
However. during this time the shop has
been entirely refitted, new benches and
dies, with plates, furnished, new ma
chinery, grease tanks, ETC., purchased
and much general repairing done, with
the result that the plant Is in much bet
ter condition than six years ago, notwith-
standing the larger value placed upon 1t
at that time.
Heretofore during the times that the
workshop has been managed by the conn
ty the sum OF some ten to fifteen thous-
and dollars mas been locked up continual
ly in stock ana bills receiva BILE. The leas-
ing OF the plant releases this money for
other uses and does away with a consid-
cradle item OF Interest II a temporary loan
should be required at any time hereafter.
BRIDGES.
The county bridges over Presumpscot
river have not required any repairs dur
ing the past year, but probably the iron
work OF the Staples Point bridge will re-
quire painting during the coming season.
very desirable change and improve
ment has been made at Portland bridge
by the removal of the tracks on the cleo
trio railway from large portion OF the
bridge and the subsequent paving OF the
causeway section by the county. The
material was furnished and the labor per-
formed under contract of ID. Il. Griffin h
Bro. OF Portland at a cost OF 50, S39. 80. As
the work progressed it was found neces-
sary to rebuild portion of the wing
walls and make other changes, which vas
done under the stipulations of the con-
tract, costing s40s. IL, making the total
cost s6, 247.47 The delay made by the c.
T.. Railway Company in vacating the
causeway section prevented the mple-
ton OF the work this season, but in the
spring the contractors will line up the
curbing, aud the county will rebuild the
sidewalk and guard fences to conform to
the new grade established. The electric
railway company will also complete the
removal OF its tracks from the bridge ex-
cepting for a distance OF about one hum
dred feet at each END of the draw, which
will be required for approaches thereto.
On the seventh day of June the iron
steamer Europa" owned or controlled
by the Elder-Dempster Co., while pass
ing out through the southerly opening of
the draw, under steam and in tow of the
tug al. A. Belknap," collided with the
draw bridge, causing considerable dam
age and delay to travel. The force OF the
Impact was sufficient to move the draw
bridge partially off the turn table. break
ing the centre pin completely off, damag-
Ing the turning gear and cramping one of
the tower posts and an adjoining strut to
such an extent as to require new ones to
re place them. The total cost of repairs
was so10.S7. The matter was immediate
~ placed in the hands of the county at
torney, George Libby, ESQ.,, and a claim
made for damages The steamer was at
tao aed in port at Boston, Mass. and sub
ing given by the agent of the company.
Suit is now pending in the Superior
Court, Suffolk county, Mass.
LEDGER INDEX.