The Portland daily press., 1899-02-14
the MILEAGE BILL.
Interest Now Centers Around Measure
at Augusta.
INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTA-
TIVE WEBB.

Thfhks fhhs hnsne eentrai tnn Auoru
to Grant Prescribed Rate and suffer
No Loss OF Proat-- WASN'T ngton
County Members Favor II.
ESPECIAL 70 rHE rRKss.j
Augusta. February l3-Ihe argument
that the Maine railroads cannot stand the
reduction In passenger receipts which
would follow the passage of law com
Polling them to issue transfers bic mileage
books, good In the hands OF bearer, at
rate OF two cents mile, Is one OF thu
prominent features OF the discussion Of
questions heard here on all sides, and the
mileage book question promises to over.
shadow all others this week. Representa-.
tive Webb Of Portland, the chairman of
the organization effected by the friends of
movemsnt, was asked by tho PRESS cor.
respondent tonight, about the position
which would be taken by the petitioners
and their counsel on this phase of the ques-
ton. In the course of an interesting con-
versation. MIR. Webb said in substance.
1--WE understand, of course. that the rail-
roads have had their clerks at work pre-
pairing figures to be used at the hsaring
and while the time allowed US is short,
we shall also use figures rs the basis Of
argument on this point This report of
railroad commissioners shows that in
1898, the average rate OF passenger fare
per mile on Maine railroads was consider
atty lower than in 1877. yet the number
OF passengers carried in 1873, was so
greatly in excess of the number carried
the previous year that the revenue from
passengers In 1893 on some of the roads
was considerably increased over the 70.
csipts undei the higher rates Of 1877 and
on the other roads, the increased number
Of passengers carried brought the receipts
up to an amount substantially the same
as the revenue in 1897.
"If the reduction of the rate in 1895 had
this effect 1t would seem TO be fair argu-
ment that o slight reduction Of rates
under the proposed law would be followed
by q similar increase in travel so that the
revenue. After a certain number Of pas.
sengers, sufficient to pay the expenses.
are on board Of "a train, all the additional
fares collected are matter of profit, for
1t costs practically no more to haul car
full of people than 1t does to haul one
ON ly half full. As to the Washington
county. road, ! have no figures, but men
from that section of the state have told
me that they can meet the argument
"Since l reached Augusta. have talked
with members interested in the movement
who have been to their homes and con-
ferred with their constituents. They have
returned to Augusta enthusiastic and de-
termined There are of course members
whose business brings them into such re
lations with the railroads that they are
reluctant to commit themselves to the
support of the bill, and other members,
In whose districts there are large com
mercial and manufacturing concerns,
having dealings with the railroads. ars
receiving letters advising them to vote
against the mileage bill.
1.-The committee has left us little time
to prepare for the hearing" continued
Mr.. Webb 1.-THE bills were referred to
the committee, on Thursday or Friday
after being tabled for printing. In the
papers of Saturday night appeared the
notice of hearing on the matter, the day
set being Thursday of this week, day on
which the committee has also assigned
five other matters. The bills are not ad
vertised as the subject of hearing. One OF
the petitions Is made the subject1 of the
notice which Is that hearing will be
given on the petition of Geo. W. Haskell
and others for the passage of law re-.
curing railroads 10 Issue two o emit mile
age books good Tor bearer. The petitioners
| and friends of the movement will be
represented at the hearing by Hon. Enoch
Foster and the Hon. Herbert ii. Heath rs
counsel"
| Mr.. Webb in the course of conversation
| u ent Toned the matter Of the passes issued
| to the state officials and mem hers of the
le xislature, and made an interesting sug-
gestion as to the settlement Of that vexed
| question. Mr.. Webb said: sit has o.
CURED to me that If law was enacted
making IL incumbent upon the roads to
provide free transportation for the
governor and his council and heads Of the
state departments when travelling on
official business. and members of the leg
islafure during the sessions. the Arrange
ment might prove q satisfactory one to all
concerned. AS to the railroads, they
| would issue no more passes Under SUCH d
law then they are now In the habit OF do
| ing, and they would be relieved OF any
imputat that they issue masses In the