The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-12

Importance of such n business industry.
to the community.
"In connection with this matter want
to call your attention to some facts as
bearing upon what / have already said,
and some OF which have come to me from
business experience.
"At one time the Canadian Pacific con-
tempIated an outlet at Portland. and de-
sired to purchase the Ogdensburg for that
purpose, and they looked over the Cape
shore for elevator facilities. 1t was then
thought that by builcing a wall from the
easterly corner of the present drydook to
the cape shore, a very large area OF avail
able land could be made.
When the Valentine Dredging company
took the contract for dredging the harbor,
they were anticipating that they would
be able to get the government to locate
one OF it's dry docks In this vicinity, and
they had some assurances from the New
York and Pennsylvania members in Con-
gress. favoring such plan, and was as.
sured that theirbid for the dredging was
based upon the expectation that they
would be able to pump the material
which they dredged mp, into place such
as have intimated, and they had faoili-
ties for thai special purpose.
while the water on the South Port
land side, at the point where the Bath
company has been exami ing, 10 too
shosl for practical uss, 1t seems very
reasonable to believe that when the pres
emit harbor improvements are completed,
1t will be q very easy matter for an active
committee, such as l hope will be APP
pointed. to induce Congress TO continue
the dredging up near TO the vicinity
named, provided the company should To-
cate there.
"rhsre are, in my Judgment, some
special reasons why q plant such as the
Bath Iron Works Is now maintaining,
would lind many superior advantages in
Portland over any other point, or place,
upon this coast. IL Is a railroad centre,
everyons Will admit. Not only has 1t
unsurpassed harbor facilities, SO far as
depth and area are concerned, but har-
Dor which Is easily accessible, always per-
fectly safe, and one which never freezes
over in way to hinder, or impede navi-
cation. Portland is also connected with
excsllent steam boat facilities, with both
Boston and New York, and with reason
able assurances of additional facilities to
each OF those ports during the coming
summer.
"ws also have the assurances OF superb
or summer connections for passenger and
freight service, and improved winter con-
nection with various parts OF Europe. AL
OF these connections not only greatly as
sist a manufacturing company, but must
necessarily furnish business to a company
engaged in work similar to the Bath Iron
Works.
ut has seemed to me that committee
such as l have suggested, could not only
cali the attention Of Mr.. Hyde to the To-
cation which understand he now has In
view, hut also assure him Of the hearty
corporation on the part of the city and
board of trade, in acquiring the necessary
dredging, and other public improvements
and railroad facilities which may be es-
sential.
al wish also to mention that at one
time 1t was contemplated building three
immense wharves In the Vicinity of Fish
Point.
1.-THE city now owns large amount OF
flats, and 1t is possible that by q wall,
and filling in, 1t might be made available
for location such as MIR. Hyde will re-
quire. This is in the vicinity of reep
water, and the small amount OF dredging
could be used for filling.
"There is also very large amount of
flats of comparatively little value. on the
western side OF the Smelling Works prop
erty. II 1t is not deemed practical to use
such spots, there is another availabls spot
to the eastward OF the Russell Shipyard
in East Deeripg, near the Coal Disoharg-
ing Plant, ana within the limits of Port
land
Mir. Woodside said that MIR. Thompson
had stated that ne would be willing to be
one OF Reasonable number to make up a
sum large enough to purchase a site for
this company If necessary ana present 1t
to them If they would locate here In
Portland.
Mr. woodside continued 70 address the
beard in relation to this matter and
urged upon the council the necessity for
immediate action. ne said that It would