The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-31

be SHOWN tnat along the eastern DIVISION
OF the Boston and Maine there is not as
good train fervios now as there was
Thirty years ago. This IL due to ths abb
sorption OF the Eastern road BY the Boo
ton and Maine and changes In the man
'ner OF running the local trains. Tbe re-
suit has been that the whols upper part
Of Scarboro has been deprived OF the ad-
vsntsges enjoyed by towns near large
cities. The building of suburban roads
Is not an enterprise which gives promise
Of great financial success. A few great
snow storms will wipe out the profits OF
year. remember one which cost
the Portland road $4,000 when 1t was
much smaller than It Is today. Tne
building Of these suburban roads builds
mp the communities through which they
run and so, notwithstanding the argu-
ment to the contrary, these roads viii
eventually work to the benefit OF them
selves and the steam roads. Tha electric
roads can do what the steam roads oan.
not do. 1t Ia absurd 20 say that a steam
railroad train can do the work which can
be done by one OF these electric cars
which shuttIes up and down the track
taking the people from their homes to the
markets Of the city. SO MIR. Libby while
not unmindful of the great questions un-
solved argued that the cry that the eisc-
trio roads would injurs the steam roads
was not justified.
Mr.. Libby real letter from ex-Gov-
eruor Rotie strongly urging the con-
struction of the Gorham extension. He
said that the petitions from Gorham bore
the names Of very large proportion OF
the adult population OF that community.
The petitions also bsar the names of
hundreds OF the women OF the town. In
behalf OF the Saco extension there are Pc
titions bearing the names OF hundreds of
people In Scarboro and Saco. The Scar
boro people in a public meeting passed
resolutions, W hich MIR. Libby read. urg.
ing the building OF the line to Saco. The
resolutions direct the towns representa-
tive In the legislature to use his efforts In
behalf of the extension and to oppose the
efforts OF individuals and corporations
against 1t. Representative Kaler OF Scar
boro Is a member OF the railroad commit
tee. MIR. Libby pointed out that the
several locations have all been approved
by the municipa officers. The bill was
then read by MIR. Libby and explained in
detail, especially with reference to the
provisions which permit the Portland
road to absorb the lines now held by its
directors as individuals. Concluding be
said that II the Portland road had shown
a disposition not to benefit the public, II
it had been made a speculative venture;
II 1t had paid exorb,tant returns instead
of putting its surplus earnings into the
and extension OF the roads,
he should not urge this as reasonable
bnt when road was well
managed he thought that its system
should not bs broken up and that it
should be permitted TO .stsFd it's line in
cases where such extensions would benefit
ths psople.
Then Hon. A. +. Moulton called upon
several Scarboro citizens to present their
views.
Mir. Richard NJ. Libby who lives near
Oak Hill, said that the building of the
line would enable Scarboro people TO do
business in Portland Now in order that
his son and daughter may work IN Port
land, MIR. Libby drives eight miles day.
One of MIR. Libby neighbors Is obliged
to stay In Portland from Monday until
though his home is only six
electric road or we shall continGe to go
down hill Property in Scarboro has been
right along the proposed line
and the building of the road in Mr.. Lib
bys' opinion would enhance the value OF
the property which is exoellently situated
for homes for people doing business in
Portland.
Mr.. Joseph II. Larrabee spoke In the
same line. He added that Scarhoro was
exceIlentiy adapted to become place OF
summer resort. The road would be a
boom to the High school pupils. Now
SO many are obliged to drive to the school
that sheds have been erected around 1t
for the horses. As member of the
board OF sslsctmen. MIR LaIrabes said that
the sentiment of the town was in favor
OF the road. The valuation of the town
has decreased In the past ten years.
MIR. Octavius II. Milliken. member OF
the board OF selectmen, was the next man
to bear witness to the desirability of the
road. He said he had not found q man
who was not in favor of the road. 1t
would open the town up to the world.
OF the train arrangements on
the Eastern division, MIR. Milhken said
that by that line 1t Is now impossible to
20 to Portland and rsturn the same day.
There are two local trains into Portland
and only one out and that. early in the
forenoon.
MIR. Charles w. DeerinR Of Gorham
then added a few words for the Gorham
people. He said that the extension OF the
line to that village would be great ad-
va ntaRe to the people there and for many
miles around. Now it is impossible to
20 to or from Portland In the evening
without driving between Westbrook
and Gorham. MIR. Deering illustrated
tha difffnulttaa axnarIanead nv f3orhaxn