Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-11-30

of-local. or sectional. supporD,
usually at heavy loss to Maine citizens
and Maine communities. They came
to be, and they are, used for purpose
of helping to carry the transportation
burdens of other States. No one
should complain that this is so.
Control could have been acquired for
no other purpose.
1t was considered a most presump-
tuous proposition in 1890-91 that a
Maine corporation should have been
organized independently of all exist
ing corporations, for purpose of try
ing to supply direct transportation for
Northern Maine to and from con-
nection with the great railway systems
controlled outside of the State, and
outside of the country. 1t was
natural, in the light of the
transportation history of the past
that the State should tender all
aid in its power which was not much
to encourage the corporation. The
people We're warranted in believing
that if the new road was built the
State would forge ahead in population
and. in wealth. 1t has taken almost
eighteen years to develop so much OF
road as the Bangor & AroostooN
Railroad Company has supplied within
our borders. Reference to the AS
SCISSORS reports show the valuation OF
the three counties served has increased
from $57,534 ,664 in 1894 to $S4,933,3 1893
in 1896. and the population from 49,
5SS in 1890 to approximately $4,000 in
1906.
In heavens name what greater proof
of the wisdom of the helpful legislation
can be asked for? What greater argu-
ment is. needed in favor of bigger and
broader aid by the State now? Maine
has not done anything worthy of men
ton toward bringing matters along TO
their present estate. We mean as
compared with the benefits she has
derived, and with the opportunity she
now has to try to have the 1ncom-
pleted Bangor & Aroostook rounded
out by track extensions into the
magnificent timber, water powers, etc,
sections Who can tell how far reacn-
ing the effect is to be Of using tn"
ocean to and from Maine, instead OF
using it to and from n Canadian port?
1t is likely that Canada would have
given not less than five times all that
Maine promised to give the B. IL a,
for less advantages, at the very IN
ception of the project. The New
Brunswick Railway which, i'll 1880,
supposed it had Aroostook by the
throat, was given 10000 acres OF
timberland per mile. This was by way
Of downright subsidy TO get the land
it only built a narrow gnage road
some 10 miles of which did not cost
as much as some single miles OF the
Bangor e. Aroostook. The latter is
wen known to be one of the best built
and equipped roads in America.
Maine generously permitted Aroostook
70 lend $4,000 per mile, for certain
road in the County, which was to- and
does compete with the Canadian road
(and which has been, and today IS,
favored by many Aroostook Shlppers).
Maine agreed not to grab for tax
rake off for 90 years and TO refuse 20
accord competitive charters for bulldlrS
''within 10 miles in the same generai
directions for 80 years. The latter mas
been of not one cent value other than
for moral effect in financial centers.
There could have been no Justlhcatlon
for taxing until five or SIX years ago
ANYWAY AroOstOok County as long
ago. as was everyone VINO TOOK pre-
ferred stock paid back the money. For
political effect it has been haunted IN
the face of the t-of-the-State
bankers who put, and wooed, over S2o''
ooO OOO into the State that "95 per cent
of tho taxes which the State ought TO
have levied Con something it never
would have had, had the theory
obtained in 1S91) We're rebated for ~
wears. up to 1911" Two cent mileage
rates on trains which it has cost over
3 cents per passenger per mile 10 run
have been called for Those who nave
borne the heat and burden of the hght
up to the present time have the proud
satisfaction of knowing that they nave
obtained what they started for Ihey
have constructed great line of rail-
way into practically an unbrokeh
forest and have one by one conquered
and subdued every obstacle great ana
| small. IL it is now desired that the
one Independent transportation artery
of moment, still worked in Maine Tor
| Maine. shall be extended and expanded
| their duty is plain.
| We don't see that there is mucn
worthy the name the State can do ex-
cepting to pass, if it will. such acts
as shall lead capital to believe there
| is one State in the Union which mas
| shut off on railroad nagging, and balt-
| ing. The fact that the motto OF Name
| is Dirigo ought not to initiate against
| its taking the lead. Timber resources
up north have been. and are being
| wasted The decay and neglect mas
| for a century been appalling. There
| is an opportunity for practical con-
| servation of our national resources
1t would at least show that Maine
knows where and what Maine Is
should the Legislature say: III this
paltry 95 per cent tax rebate thing
up to 1921. an agreement to keep other
roads wholly out of b. & A. territor!
till 1921, and an assent that log fioat-
ing rivers, Canadian roads. and the
Interstate Commerce Commission WI
attend to all the rate regulating Name
is to need until 1921. will do any gooo
toward making capital in railroad ant
| capital needed in railroad feel safer il
Maine than it now feels. take these
things and welcome. We think tha
l L al ats.I % lli