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

The petitioners rested here and Charles
F. johnson of Waterville opened for the
remonStrantS.
I'VE don't come here to restrict pro-
gress but TO protect the vested interests,
those who have invested their money in
good Faith. We believe that while we
need all the money that can be brought
into this State, yet We also believe that
we owe the permanent prosperity of the
State largely to the wise manner in
which the people of the State have taken
care of the dollars after they have been
invested here.
# have here the reports which show
that the road which i represent cams
here and petitioned for location (and
received it, to build a road from Water
vile to Augusta. At the head Of that
body of men was Amos +. Gerald or
Fairfield. who has built more street rail
poadS than any other man in Maine. He
believes now and he believed then that
the only reason for building the road ia
its through traffic. We skirt the beauti-
full Messalonskee lake, not only one of the
most beautiful lakes in Maine but the
most beautiful in New England, thence
through the large farming town of Sid
ney to the Augusta line.
"Mr. Gerald. relying upon the fact that
these ouner people had charter three
years and showing no intention of build
irg. he entered upon his work Of build
ing this road. hold here in my hand
contract with the Carnegie Steel Co. for
the steel rails for the road and another
contract for the material for steel
bridge. II is a part of their plan 10 build
10 the Vassa lboros from Watervile for
the trade of those villages belongs to that
city and goes there. That, gentlemen, is
briefly our case
Mr.. Johnson then read n letter from
Mr.. Macomber to Mr.. Gerald. proposing
Oakland 4 Watcrvile Street Railway
cars could enter Water street over the
tracks of the then Augusta, Winthrop &
Gardiner Street Railway Co.
Amos F. Gerald of Fairfield was the
first 10 be called. He said he didn't
blame The people for wanting a railroad
by their houses, for they are a great con-
venience. He then traced the conception
of the two charters for roads between
Augusta. and Waterville. The comparison
between North VassalborO and Oakland !
was sharply drawn. it being pointed on |
tfat whereas the former town had de- |
creased in population and depended on
outside capital for the development of |
its industries, the latter town had doubled |
in ropula ton and the capital invested in !
the industries there is entirely local.
Taking the road itself he said that thu !
road was straight enough to allow a ,
steam train to run 100 miles an hour If ,
it was necessary and at no point more I
than a 3 per cent grade. Five miles of |
the road are already built.
"Since that charter or right TO build ,
on the west side first expired and 1 took
hold of it, 7 have never made a single ,
move toward building this road. ! have /
come to Augusta and consulted with al
least three of the men prominent in the !
street railway business, and sometimes |
four. Always, every time. with the cN-
ception of Mr.. Lynch, they told me that
they had no intention to build on she east |
side and that they hoped that I would |
build for they had no intention OF build |
ing.
II want to show you that we are not !
a dog in the manger, We believe in pro- |
gress, we will give Mr.. Graham and his
associates that location If they will guar !
antee to build the road
What have you done, Mr.. Gerald" !,
asked Mr. Johnson
we have bought the rails, bought tha
steel for the bridge. They are binding
contracts We have not been able to-
make any other kind with the Carnegie
Steel Co and we have been over the road
and have blasted AZ several points where |
lodges jlftt"d out into the way
THE Waterville & Oakland Road has !,
been successful It's n good road. Its /
well built and we have invested 500. 900 in |
that road We have always intended and |
do now intend, to continue through to
Augusta.
I'VE are not here to bluff anybody nor !
do we want TO 10 anything in bad faith
We don't want TO prevent these people ,
from making a dollar, but we do intend ]
TO build this road If we are allowed tn |
do it. We shall depend largely or almost
wholly upon the through travel"
There was Il pause at this point and
after some discussion it was decided
10 adjourn to meet in the municipal
court room at VAUDEVILLE at 8 o'clock
Wednesday morning. The proposed
site for an overhead crossing over the