Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-31
FROM AUGUSTA TO WINTHROP
Strong Reasons Why the Electric Road Should
be Built at an Early Datc. '''''

The charter for an electric road from
Augusta to Winthrop, which was
granted by the railroad commissioners.
will not. it is understood, expire until
a year from next January. 1t has been
a disappointment to the public that the
work of construction was not begun
the present season. The desirability
of this connection is felt very cener-
ally by the business men of this CITY.
Lake Cobbosseecontee affords the most
natural and practically the only avail
able outing point for the cities of Gar
diner. Hallowell. and Augusta There
/ is no doubt but that an electric road
some pleasure ground on the shores of
this beautiful lake would command a
very heavy patronage. Steamboat
connection could he made with such a
read affording communication with all
parts of the lake. There can be no
question, but what such connection
would give a tremendous boom to the
building of summer homes, if not at
Cobbosseecontee. at least at Mariana
cook. which. with electric road con-
nection. would be as available as
Cobbosscecontee now is by team.
Naturally, conditions being equal
CobboSseecontec would get the bulk of
the summer residents from the three
sister cities of the kennebec. The dis
position of property holders along the
shore to hold their land for lease
rather than to sell it outright may. in
the event of easy access send would
be visitors to other waters where the
conditions are more to their liking
1t is undoubtedly true that no great
number of men can be found. who
would be willing to build substantial
and permanent summer homes on
leased land. II has. however been the
general experience of summer resorts
/ that matters of this kind. in the long
run. regulate themselves. and there is
no doubt but what electric road con-
nection with Cobbosseecontee would
bring into the market large number
of desirable lots for building purposes
which could be purchased at reasonable
prices.
So much for the general outlook
Now Il word as to the rights of the
public. y company holds a charter to
Euild an electric road from Augusta to
Lewiston. 1t secured that charter
largely through the personal assistance
"a NAt4EtiAN anu ifi'l'TPtN WV HERS dioliS
the proposed line. who appeared be-
fore the railroad commissioners and
urged the granting Of it, with the dis
tinct understanding that the whole
movement was a bona fide one and
that the securing Of "A charter would
ensure the construction Of the road
That company. therefore. owes some
thing to these gentlemen. and to the
public. If events have transpred
which render ii impdssible for il to
build the road. it certainly should not
pose as an obstructionist. 1t should in
ali fairness. turn over its charter 10 the
company which stands ready to build
this road next season-and which
would probably b. willing. with proper
encouragement, to begin the work Of
construction.
This company is a local one. The
mon who compass it have for years
stood in the forefront in advancing the
interests Of the city of Augusta. Their
own personal interests are here, and
they have just given a splendid proof
81 their disposition and ability to pro-
mote the local prosperity by complet
ing successful road to Togus,
Naturally the people nf August. have
confidence in them. for they have al
WAYS shown themselves. in the highest
degree. worthy OF it. While the prnCi-
pal desire of our business men is to Sc
cure the road. it would unqucstionably
he pleasing to all of them to see it con-
structed by local citizens with local
capital.
The Journal has thoroughly inter
viewed the business men of Augusta,
and has. in the foregoing article. sum
married. the Concensus of their opinion.
They feel deeply and strongly. that the
welfare of this community demands
that this road shall be built at the
earliest possible date. at least as far
as Winthrop.