The Portland daily press., 1900-10-23
Some Opposition Manifested to the
Proposition
Discontinuance Of Fal-
mouth st. Not Asked.
City Government Took No Ac-
tiOn on Proposition.

Last evening occurred the much talked
Of hearing regarding the proposition Of
the Boston & Maine railroad to purchase
the marginal way tor permanent use.
The meeting was a joint session Of the
boards Of Mayor and Aldermen and the
Common Council, 1t was held in the
council chamber and the room was well
filled with citizens interested IN the sub
jeot A large map OF the way with the
proposed plans was hung on the wall and
previous to the meeting was examined by
the members Of the city government
and any citizens who desired to avail
themselves OF the opportunity.
3 Hon. George P. WesoOtt, with ex-Gov-
ernor Henry B. Cleaves, appeared as
representatives OF the Boston & Maine.
Councilmen Thomas and Pbinney
were the only absentees in the city gov
ern nent.
The board was call to order st few
minutes before O'Clock.
Mayor Robinson. read the report
of the special committee regarding the
Marginal way, ,and the notice of the hear
ing. This report was submitted at a re-
cent meeting Of the city government.
Ex-Governor Clsaves said that before
proceeding to the hearing the Boston &
Maine desired to withdraw that portion
of the proposition regarding the discon-
tinuance of Falmouth street.
1--WE don't want to acquire the Mar
ginaI way he said. ''We want the
right to lay tracks there. We have made
a proposition TO the city more favorable
than we thought we could make several
months ago. We believe we have made
q fair proposition
Councilman Dyer said the board was
open to congratulations that SO many
prominent citizens were here. He sug-
gested that Hon Fred E. Richards be
called upon.
Il feel considerable interest in this
matter, said Mr.. Richards. 'It seems
to me the proposition is a fair one.''
Alderman Moulton moved that all
citizsns present be asked to express their
opinions on the matter. 1t was so voted.
Major Sidney W. Thaxter was next
heard. Il am interested in the develop
ment of the city," he said. 81 think the
proposition on the face OF it is fair But
when we forecast the future I think
we ought to consider it very carefully.
1t seems to me the city does not get what
1t ought to. The Boston & Maine owns
large sections Of territory contiguous
to the Marginal way which should be
greatly improved by the proposition be-
ing accepted. think that the Marginal
way should be completed and made to
bear the traffic OF Portland as original
" intended
Major Thaxter then took his cane and
explained his ideas by means of the map.
''There is break Of 100 feet which inter-
rupts the way" he said. 'The way con-
tinues around by Tukey's bridge, passes
through the bridge and runs around to
the Grand Trunk crossing. But that Is
not the end of the way. Its original pur.
pose was to facilitate all kinds of COM
merciaI interests. The channel has
depth Of u feet at low water. There
should be a double line Of tracks and a
broad highway extending the whole dis.
tance. The development Of Portland Is in
the direction Of Deering and on account
OF the Grand Trunk laying its tracks
there the development OF East Deerino
has been considerable. The highway
should be opened for travel and it should
be made from Forest avenue to Tukey's
bridge All OF the traffic OF East Deer
ing comes over that way and comes into
the city. The distance from Tukey's
bridge to the Union station would be
very much diminish ed by using the Mar.
ginal way The city should adopt tn,
same course as 1t did when the Grand
Trunk agreed to lay tracks on CONNER
cial street from the foot of India to
State state. This has been of immense
value to the city. WhyFshouId not the
Boston & Maine make an agreement to
carry out the same plans. If done. it
would render all of the property of the
Boston & Maine a great deal more val
liable. Manufacturing establishments
could be built there and vessels oould
come up to the wharves which might he
built at that point. All OF the material
in that section OF the city could be
handled at this point. Great results