The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-04-11
QUARTER OF MILLION.
Big Sum ASKED For
Cushing's Island.
Recommendation For Extensive Par.
chase Of Land.
To Be Used For Defen-
sive Purposes.
History Of Negotiations BY War
Department.
lsPEcIA. TO THE rREssl

Washington. April 10.-The Secretary
OF War has written letter commencing
to the favorable consideration Of Congress
a proposition to expend about $3.50 OfO
for the purchase Of land for defenGive pur-
poses on Cushibg's islsnd, In Portland
harbor. Me. With thiI Recommendation
Secretary Root transmits a letter OF
Quartermastsr General Luddington,
which gives at length the conditions
surrounding the proposed transsctlon.
"In 1884," writes Cen, Luddington. "af-
ter Investigation, the engineer depart
mspt decided upon an area Of 1874 acres
as the least land required for defensive
purposes. Mr.. Cushing, who owns
about 175 acrss of the ESQ acres eompr s.
ing the island, asks 81, SEQ per ACRE. The
ensiuesr department.. considering $1,000
an acre n fsir pri,e, condemnation pro-
c,edipgs we're Instituted, and the price
awarded by the jury was about $500 per
acre. This was considered sxorhitRnt.
hut under the circumstances the clss
was not appealed, and the land was tax
en- at that price. Every officer who has
reported upon land OF this island since
then has considered this award as very
far beyond the actual value Of the proper
ty.
"Mr. Gibson owns what Is known as
the Ottawa hotel property, containing
about i've acres. immediately after the
above purchase was made, he offer ed
this property for $50. 010. This offer was
declined BY the Secretary Of War. In
1886 this property was again offered to
the government for SIS, 600. and would
have been purchased at that price had
1t not been for opposition thereto BY
MIR. G. n. Hays, general manager OF the
Grand Trunk railway, and others who
owned summer cottages on the island.
"Two questions eoTas mp for eonsidera
tion. First, should the government pur-
chase more land at this Island? Second,
II 90, what amount Of land and Its loca-
tions All reports united in saying that
If garrison Ia to be permanently located
at this point, In connection with the arm
ament, more land IL essential"
Gen. Luddington goes on to say that
board Of officers has reported that the
minimum area which 1t is thought de-
sirabls 60 puI chase for eysn q single bat
tsry. one hundred men, would be consid-
cradle, and that Tor five batteries. more
land Of course would be required. The
ground most advantageous for garrison
purposes in location and sxtsnt was the
entire strip back Of the hotel and bound
ed By the ssa ON one side and Whitehead
avenus ON the other.
Msjor 8. w. Roessler, who Is in charge
of ths fortitioations OF Portland harbor,
has recommended the same tracks for
garrison purposes, and has mentioned
In that connection that the whole Of the
area to the southwest Of the reservation
should be owned by the government for
fertilization purposes as sites for rapid
tire guns. This ground Is, however. for
the most part q bare, rocky slope, IN
suitable for building purposes.
''As to the price at which this land
could be obtained" Gays Gen. Ludding-
ton, "Mr. Cushing for his holdings has
not made any offer Of less than 81, 800
per acre, and 10 IL understood that he
considers Q portion owned by him worth
considerably more than this, but as be-
fore said, all reports received, consider
this price exorb,tant. The department.
has recently purchased on the main land,
Immediately across the channel from
Cushing's island, q tract containing
about % acres, for $50, ono. less than s!,s0)
psr acre, and has purchased ut Fort
Prebls, on the main land, and much
nearer to the city OF Portland, a small
tract at about O.. 400 per acre. These
In easy communication with the city Of
PORTLAND.
"Returning to the question n to
whether any land should be acquired on
this island. this question must be an
swsrsd In the affirmative provided gar
rison IL to be maintained at this point.
This oftios remarked In CONNIE otion with
ofiSs to be expedient 70 eater upon any
such very large expenditure until 10 is
reasonably certain that Congress will
provide for suoh great increase In the
artillery arm OF the service az viii permit
OF i've or even two batteries being sta-
toned At this point. II the
additional land Is acquired ct Portland
Head. the garrison necessary for Cush-
ing's island can be readily accommodated
In psrmansnt barracks at that point and
ths guns cared for By . comparatively
small detachment stationed at the bat
terry on Cushing's island in suitable
buildings.'
This additional land ~ Portland
Head having already teen purchased, this
might be done without material dstri-
msnt 20 the service. Assuming. however.
tl,At land must be purchased. what shall
be the amoUntf This amount IL dspsn-
dent upon the strength Of the garrlsoa