The Portland daily press., 1900-10-23

/ the dlsagreeable OdOr on the flats
Major Thaxter asked why there -ha /
been this break in the Marginal way
and Mr- Wesoott replied that the way
had been discontinued at that point be-
cause suit had been brought against the
city. Mr.. Wescott added that the Boston
& slaine was ready to join in any en-
terprise Of benefit to the city.
Then Major Thax5er, continuing, said
that the Grand Trunk dared for the
tracks on Commercial street as far as
Union and that the Boston & Maine
took care OF thu rest of it. The tracks
were used by thu Boston & Maine in the
forenoon and by the Grand Trunk in
the afternoon. The Grand Trunk had
built retaining walls along CONNER
cial street.
Elias Thomas, Esq, said that he should
let the way to the railroad for a term Of
years.
Ex-Mayor John W. Deering was next
called upon and said that he was Unable
to see just what the Boston & Maine
wanted to acquire a permanent right
on the Marginal way Tor, but he believed
that the interests Of the city and Of the
Boston & Maine were about the same.
When the Union station was built much
land had to be acquired and when 1t was
acquired people did not know for what
purpose it was to be used. But the
Union station has been OF great value to
Portland and we are all proud OF it. MIR.
Desring argued that some such benefit
as this might result from giving the
Boston & Maine the right to use the
Marginal way. He didn't believe that
the Boston & Maine had any desire to
lnJurs the prospects Of the Canadian
! Pacific railroad in securing the use Of
this way. This was not matter in which
dollars and cents should be given too
much prominence. The Grand Trunk
built Commercial street for their own
property. They had to have chance
for the merchants Of the street to load
and unload their cars. This case is en-
tirely different. 1 am satisfied all the
lumber business Of this city has got to
go over the Marginal way 1t win Ger
tainly be necessary to fill the flats from
the Portland end to the Marginal way.
Cullen G.. Chapman, Esq, was called
upon, but had nothing to say as he was
not familiar with the subject
Percy H. Richardson stated his objso-
tions. He thought that the proposition
would tend to give all OF the way to the
Boston q Maine instead of to the city.
He asked Ex-Governor Cleaves a ques-
tion about the discontinuance OF FaI-
mouth street, and was told the Boston
& Maine did not intend to discontinue
that street,
'Then my objection ceases" said Mr..
Richardson.
Mr.. L. II. Cobb said he thought the
only serious objection to the proposition
had been removed By withdrawing the
condition that Falmouth street be dis
continued. As for the com pensation that
was a dificul5 matter to fix, as there was
no very definite basis on which to esti-
mate the value Of the way at present.
But on the whole the proposition OF the
railroad seemed e fair one.
Governor Cleayes, in answer to ques-
tions, said that the contract stipulated
that no other road should 20 over the
tracks.
In answer to Councilman True, Mr..
Wescott gave some information regard
ing the way from the transfer station to
the old Portland & Rochester, the passen-
ger and freight rates The Boston &
Maine is charging the same amount as
was the Portland & Rochester over this
way. There is a square loss to the Bos-
ton & Maine OF operating their road on
the Marginal way Of 81, 600 to s., 600 a
year.
Ira S. Locke was called upon. 81 am
not prepared to discuss the question on
it's merits. There Is need under these
circumstances of the innocent public
being as well represented as the corpora
ton so That the council should be able
to act as judges. The railroad corpora.
tion is not going to ask for considera-
tions here unless it profits by 1t In view
Of the city Of Portland's experiences in
the last third Of a century with railroad
corporations, the city should be careful.
1t is not a question of dollars, but of
the future interests of this city. There
has been provided by the Almighty ]
splendid opportunity to improve this
city. There is no need OF haste or of
fear that the Boston & Maine will ever
lose an opportunity to better itself.
A long lease, at all events, should not
be given.H
In answer to Councilman True, City
Engineer Fernald said that Anderson
street only went 90 the Marginal way.
He believed the proposed change would |
be an advantageous one to the city.
Mr.. Fernald went over to the map and
explai1 ned in detail the plans OF the
proposition, and several members Of the
city government asked questions.
IF there is an overhead bridge" said
Governor Cleaves, 1.-THE cost would be
apportioned between the city and the
road"
1.-The cost would be about S28, 600, %
said Mr.. Wescott, land don't think the