Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-24


valuation of rising $l7.OOO,0O0 and that the
total valuation of the county is ,000,
so that the new road would furnish
transportation facilities for an area
which contains over half the valuation
of the county The speaker enlarged
upon the lake traffic and the possibility
of lis development. He stated that tn.
people of Nassalboro desired that the
Electric road might pass through the
town in order if possible, 10 aid in the
development of the town.
The situation in Winslow was reviewed
and it was pointed out that IN town
meeting it was unanimously voted to in
struct the selectmen 10 favor the location
of the road proposed by the petitioners.
MIR. Cook said that the people up his
way were not going to object 10 some
body else building railroad on the nthe!
side of the river. He did not believe
that it was fair 10 say that the people
on the east side shall not have a road
because they have one over in Sidney.
The Hon. w. II. HaineS was called
upon by Mr.. Heath. He said that it
was Watervilles ambition 10 have 20,GJ0
peoT1e before 1920 and the only chance
10 do il is by means of the development
of its industries and its railroad connec-
ton He traced the development of The
city through its connection with Oakland
and Fairfield and said that a greater de-
velorment would result from connection
with Vassalhoro and WinslOw. He was
in favor of building both roads: they
would have 10 be built with foreign CAPT.
tai. ard by all means let tho investors
come in and spend their money.
He was questioned by Attorney john
son as To whether he was in favor of
those interests whose money is invested
He stated that he was. In answer TO fur
Their questions he said that he was in
favor OF the road which already had Sc
cured the consent of the municipal OFF,
GERS. He further said that he could not
sec where there could be any competI-
ton between the Two proposed roads.
o. j. Hussey of North Vassalboro said
that with an electric road through the
town they could get their milk into town
every morning, while now they are oblig
ed TO drive four miles to the steam rail-
rOaG.
Ira ]. Robbins of VassalbOro said that
he took summer boarders who came from
Boston by boat and were carried over the
road by team. When the road was first
proposed someone made a proposition to
hire his grove for 10 years.
George H. Gates of East VaSsalboro
spoke strongly in favor of the road, say
ing that it meant great development.
+. w. Clair Of Waterville stated that
a road to China lake would be !. great
convenience. He did not believe that the
two roads under discussion Were in any
way competing roads. In his opinion
there was no feeling against either road
among the business men of Waterville.
John Z. Nelson of Waterville said that
outside of those interested in the road on
the west side. sentiment was almost
unanimously in favor of the location on
the east side.
f. J.. Emery of Watervile said that il
must be clear mat neither of the roads
will pay any dividends on their through
traffic. The Maine Central would con-
time to carry the through passengers
but at about one-half the present rate
In his opinion an electric road through
from Portland to Bangor was certainty
though perhaps not for several years.
II. X. Durham of Waterville, Henry
A. Priest Of North Vassalboro and 6. H.
Know lton of Vassalboro spoke strongly
in favor of the road as it effects FaSsal-
boro.
Wallace s. Weeks of Augusta spoke on
the possibility of the travel from Au-
gustl to the Vassalboro line paying IL
substantial portion of the running ex-
penses. He said that ne could hardly
think of country road more thiclly set
tied
Charles S. Hichborn Of Augusta said
in part: Being very much engaged in
other matters, T was not aware that
there was any opposition TO this road.
But when I did learn it, i would not by
any means do anything to prevent the
building the road on the west side OF
the river. 1 have not seriously consid-
cred. nor do I now, the through traffic.
for il is the business OF the electric roads
10 pick up people all along the line.
whether the people will all go 10 Au-
gusta or all go to Waterville. we do not
know. We will take our chances on that.
Now as to Augusta itself. There are
nearly 1900 people here in Augusta whn
live along this line and will be accom-
modated. The city Of Augusta is the shire
town of this county and the capital al
this State and. please God. will continue
to be forever and forever (applauSe).
Now those people in Vassalboro and be-
yond want TO get to their shire town and
To the capital.
Public convenience and public nccessi-
ty and the demands of the times. ire
spective of whether it serves Augusta the
more or Watervile The more-that is not
in Your Observation-Disclosures you TO favor
these DetitiOnerS'
Thomas J. Lynch of Augusta. who had
looked over the ground when the road
was first projected. described the condi-
tons existing along the route.
George f. Macomber of Augusta, inter-
ested in street railways. voiced the opin-
ion that the way traffic would have 10
support the road.
John r. Graham of Bangor confirmed
the statement of Mr.. Heath that the road
will be built at once If the location is APP
proved. He gave it as his opinion that
the road would create large amount of
traffic not now in sight.