Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-28

| ing. They waited for some time, and il
was announced that the fun committee
were not there and the hearing did not
| take place. The men who Were most in
| terested were unable to be there except
through their attorney at later hearing
rms bill has gone along quietly and peace
| 1uiy on It's way without stirring up much
| of a ripple in its amended forrn-in its in
nocent form-and it has now come to the
rouse and is now before us to be accept-
| Ell or to be set aside Gentlemen, am glad
to say that although l am interested in
these roads. vet the record will speak for
Itself am glad to say that SHAH not go
Rack TO my constituents and tell them
that have allowed competing steam lines
to take up a line of work which they have
always opposed and on principles and say
that we can do that well as You can
snail not go home to my constituents and
say that | raised my hand to help that
sort of legislation. But shall be able to
say to them that | asked the people of the
State of Maine. through their representa-
tiveS. to see to it that their rights iii this
natter We're conserved and that the pro-
aress that had been begun should CON
tinue.
Mr. Speaker. the progress of this State
for 10 years has been largely due to the
growth that has been brought about by
| this business; and if We want to to grow
! in the future. il we want these inland
towns and these resorts built up and con.
nected one with the other. if we want
| these fertile acres reached and opened up.
| it We want the farm lauds to grow in
| value and to be reached and to be made
| easy of access. and to place those lands
| upon the market, then see TO it that no
such legislation as this has a passage in
F., this House. CApplause).
| Mr.. Libby of Mechanic Falls, moved
| to adjourn. A division being had the
motion was lost by vote of A. to 40.
The question being on the indefinite
postponement of the bill, Mr.. Clarke OF
| Nobleboro, moved that it lie on the
| table until tomorrow morning.
| The motion was lost.
| Mr. CLARKE of Nobleboro: Mr..
| Speaker, as a member of the committee
| on railroads, to whom this matter was
tsreferred. l will endeavor in brief way
ttd recite the considerations which
fHfoved that committee to report as il,
Mid unanimously in favor of the pas
ESage of this bill. In the first place,
Ehink it would be we'll for me to state
Mhat in my own mind the insinuation
contained in the remark of the gentle
man from Waterville. when he mem
| toned 50 kindly in regard to the fact
that we have passes in our pockets is
entirely uncalled for. In my opinion
there are very few members of this
House who would have thought of the
thing at all if the gentleman himself
|
do not believe that the members of this
! House are accustomed to vote upon
such small and mean considerations.
The arguments employed by the gen
tleman from Waterville would be ad'
mirable. and in fact they are practi-
cally the same arguments that the
| members of this House and that g.
member of that committee would have
t,c.t no ~
| sideratiOn of the bill if it had been the
bill that was originally submitted. The
bill which you have under considera-
ton now is entirely different. 1t is dit
ferent in every way, shape ana man
ner Every argument employed by the
gentleman from Waterville. was ad-
| vanced at the time of the hearing, ana
| will state for the benefit of the men,
bers of the House that the hearing was
fair and impartial and as open an!
as free to every man as any hearing
that has been held here during this
session.
) The bill that was originally drawn
provided that the steam railroads
might lease, operate and purchase cleo
trio railways. The members of the
, committee were unfavorably impressed
by the bill simply because they thought
that it gave an opportunity fort the large
: corporate interests. the railroads of this
state. to get into their possession. OF
control, rather, of the transportatlon
ABILITIES of this State. and we regard
, ed that as result which should NOT te
reached.
, The present bill simply contemplates
the building of what they term feeders
! for the steam railroads. We were UNI
able to find any reason for supposing
that it would enable the railroad tc
accomplish the undesirable result OF
obtaining control of the transportation
! facilities of the State in any way what
{ ever. 1t simply enables them to bull,
I small feeders to operate in connection
; with their railways along the Inc
d which an independent system could no
be successfully operated. We fail t
: soc how the building of an electric ran
> way by any concern, whatever a steen
n railroad or any other system OF raj!
e road. can have any other effect than t
e develop the resources of the State
y which is a thing we all desire. 1t i
!, very frequently necessary, or at times
l. ii must be necessary for railroads It
IS build small branch lines for the trans
20 portation of freight and produce 20 III
ii regular line. 1t would be very exper
y sive if they were obliged under thos
:. circumstances to build steam rail
,e road 1t is very easy for them, how
re ever. if they have the privilege of put
- ting in a system of electric railway, t
obtain the ends they desire: and "
$, can see no reasonable objection to thei
r
Dr
ak
d.