Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-31
East Boston Residents
Officially Open Tunnel.
Public Officials Present from All
Massachusetts.
Trial Trip Through TunneI-Fireworks
and Music Figure.

Noddie island, as East Boston was
known in Colonial days, united. Thurs
day night. in celebrating the official
opening of the new tunnel under Bos-
ton harbOr uniting East Boston with
the city proper. Although the tunnel
Will not be opened for public traffic un-
til tomorrow morning. Thursday was
given over to final trips of inspection
py state and city officials and to 4
grand Qualification arranged by the
East Boston citizens committee
During the forenoon the tunnel WAS
inspected by state and CITY officials
while, tonight, more than 500 member.
Of the East Boston citizens cornmitta,
made the trip under the harbor Fol.
lowing this there was a street parade
in East Boston, followed by a banuue;
in Masonic hall. Bands We're std:i.nieti
in all the sections of NOddlt island ant.
the district was ablaze With fireworks.
throughout the evening
At the banquet in Masonic hall
speeches We're made by many proni-
nent citizens.
Officials of the state Of NaSSachu-
sets and the city of Boston were the
AueSts of the Boston Transit Commits
Eicn and the Boston Elevated Railway
Co. Thursday, upon an inspection of
the new East Boston tunnel. The
party numbered about 200 and included
Governor Bates and Lieut.. Gov. Guild
and Gen. VIM. A. Bancroft, president
Of Ike Boston Elevated Railroad Co.
Members of the executive council and
&
attendance. The trip through the tun-
mel Was made i'll five electric cars start
in" at the tunnel station at State
street and continuing through the tun-
ISL under the harbor to the terminal
n'I the surface at Maverick square in
last Boston, thence returning under
the haroor to the Boston terminal west
ut die state street station at ScOlly
square. The ordinary trip through the
n!it.cl consumes about AZ minutes.
lt:ch means d saving OF from Is to %
..itut"s OF time in reaching East Bos-
~ r.nE The mainland. heretofore ac-
,,inli.:hed by means of electric car to
~, water front and then by ferry to the
shore 1T East Boston. The increase in
t.trid transit also benefits the people
of Oh. ls,.a and other points beyond.
The PARTY of inspection found the
tunnel brilliantly illuminated through
out. The tunnel takes on Il general de-
Cline just before it reached the harbor
and at the same time narrows per"ep-
tibly. In the under-harbor section til
temperature was found to be greatly
lower than in the under-surface part.
due to the presence OF the harbor water
above. Many residents of East Boston
had assembled at the Maverick square
station and when the first car arrived
with the governor and lieutenant gov
ernor and Gen. Bancroft on the front
platform, Il great cheer was given Ia
honor of the visitors and of the compile
ton of the work. The tunnel is consid
cred by experts as one of the greatest
tubes in the world.
The great celebration came. tonight.
when more than 500 residents of East
Boston left the island at the corner OF
Liverpool street and Central square and
in 10 special cars made the trip through
the big tube to Scollay square on the
Boston side. The cars started at g.
o'clock and among the passengers Were
many wives and daughters OF the men,
bers of the East Boston citizens COM
mittce. Among a blaze of fireworks
and q burst of music the party Started
on its trip of inspection. The run to
Scollay square was made at rapid
rate of speed and without stop. On
the return trip the cars stopped at ev-
cry station and the members of the
party had an excellent opportunity to
examine the features of the tunnel.
When the cars emerged on the East
Boston side of the turb the music and
fireworks were again in evidence. A
line was quickly formed and the party
paraded up Meridian street to Masonic
hall. Fireworks We're burned all along
the line of march and the bands played
uncea singly.
The banquet was served in Masonic
hall, which was fittngly decorated for
the occasion. Addresses were made by
Gov. John l.. Bates, Lieut.. Gov. Curtis
Guild. Jr., Former Congressman Joseph
A. Conry, George G. Croker. chairman
of the Boston Transit Commission;
Gen. William A. Bancroft, president of
the Boston Elevated Railway Co., For
mar Attorney General Albert E. Pills
bury. Rev. Herbert A. Manchester.
Rev. Hugh r. O'Donnell and William