Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-01
STATE HOUSE.
Relation Of Washington County
R. R. to Property Values.
Slight Prospect of Increase in States
Number Of Sheep.
Outlook seems Bright for Small Loss from
fire. This Year.

The returns made the State assessors
Will not show an increase in the value OF
property along the line of the Washing
ton County Railroad. as might be expect
ed. This is not because the railroad has
not proven convenience to the people III
the section, but because there is another
means Of shipping the farm products.
When the Bangor & Aroostook road
was opened up. property in Aroostopk
county at once took on a new value.
Lands that were inaccessible before that
time Al once had a means by which the
products might he sent to. the Boston
markets. All along the line of the rail
road there was a marked increase in the
value of property. In fact this was so
apparent that one of the railroad officials
wishing to raise a loan for carrying on
the work of the railroad simply took
copies of the State assessors reports TO
Boston and after showing them had not
the slightest trouble in raising the
money, the effect Of the railroad on the
value of the property being 50 apparent.
With the Washington county road this
is not the case. AS convenience the
road cannot be equalled. Especially dur
ing the winter people are able To get to
places which they could not reach he
fore. But a factor in increasing the
value Of property it cannot be compared
with the Bangor & Aroostook. This is
due solely to its location. Even before
the railroad was put through the farm
ers had a means of getting their products
out. This was wholly by means of the
steamboats,. The same steamship lines
are now in existence so that the people
have no additional advantages with the
exception Of those offered by a quick
method Of transportation.
II is probable that at the very best
there will be no increase in the numbc:
of sheep in the State The returns are
not Yet fully made up but Il comparison
Of those compiled this year with those
of last year shows that there is no great
gain. This is rather disappointing II
those who have been watching the wool
movement. The wooden business has in
creased greatly all over the State with
in the past year. In Somerset county es-
pecially the American Wooden Co has
done a great deal. New mills have been
started in Skowhegan and Fairfield Old
mills have increased their capacity in
other towns and in fact there has been
an increase in the business all over the
State While wages may not have in
creased to very great extent vet in
those towns where the American Wooden
60. has purchased plants It is a common
saying that there is no necessity for any
one to remain idle if he wishes work.
Just why. under these conditions, there
should be no increase in the number of
sheep it is hard TO say unless il is due to
the fact that this unparalleled healthy
growth has been manifest in the past few
years only.
The first installment of the shooting
season begins today. This is not, Of
course the time when any one may shoot
deer but is the beginning Of the time
when people may for a certain fee, paid
the State indulge in the privilege they
would have at no other time.
Just how much interest is taken in
shooting deer at this particular time it is
not possible to say. The licenses are not
issued to individuals from the State
House but are sent to agents who sell
them to the people wishing the privilege.
Only the usual number were sent out as