Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-02

Maine Central, i per cent. to the
Trolley Road)
The original bill did not put the
entire cost upon the Maine Central
Railroad; but left it to the Railroad
Commissioners to apportion the cost
between the Maine Central and the
electric road. The Legislature, how
ever decided that the state might Will
he held to pay one fourth of the estl-
mated cost. and the city of Augusta
fifteen per cent of it. These terms Mr..
Manley believes to be reasonable and
fair. The Journal agrees with him. 1t
never expected that the city would be
able to entirely escape some financial
assistance in the working out of these
great local improvements.
My criticism of the present bill,
says Mr.. Manley was directed against
the plan. not against its terms
Continuing Mr.. Manley says:
'Workingmen' says half Il loaf at
any time is vastly better than no
bread which is, of course, true. |
think we should be absolutely sure
that we can never get the whole loaf
before we accept the half loaf. Tie
whole loaf would cost both us and the
other interests more money, but it GER
tainly seems to me that a great deal
more. proportionately. would be dc-
complished by the increased cost.
What is the whole loaf" referred to
by Mr.. Manley? a careful reading
of both of his communications makes it
evident that it is to bridge the river
below Rincs hill. This scheme
certainly has many things to commend
it but it would involve the expenditure
OF a million or more dollars. This
whole loaf" Mr. Maney admits
would cost the city of Augusta and the
other intcrests-the two railroads and
the State-"morc money" but he be
lieves that "a great deal more, proper
tionately, would be accomplished by
the increased cost"
Let US consider this a moment The
engineers of the Maine Central rail-
road frankly admit that the crossing
of the river is Il million dollar PROPOSE
ton Applying the terms Of the
present bill--which Mr., Manley con-
ccdcs to be fair-to this proposition
and the cost of such Il project would
a., 1;,.;J,I az. foIln,,c.
Maine Central Railroad. $io,W1
state of Maine, 900"
Electric Railroad, lo.""
city of Augusta. 10000
Total. $l,H","
l. this a practical proposition, or one
that is likely to come about in the lite
time of any citizen now living? We
think not. We frankly admit that the
project would be a very favorable one
for the Maine Central and its stock
holders inasmuch as it would enable
them to put through Il great work for
the permanent welfare of the road at
less than half its actual cost but what
about the other interests involved?
1st. Does anyone believe that the
legislature of Maine could be per-
suadod to make an appropriation of
$250oo0 for such a purpose? We
think not We believe that the LegiS-
laturc has already made as large IN
appropriation as it will ever make for
the relief of the grade crossing situa-
ton in this city. and that if it is turned
down by our citizens it Will never
make another one in the lifetime Of
any of our present citizens.
md Does any one believe that the
electric railroad could legally be made
to contribute $1500o0 for Il project
situated entirely outside of its right
Of way? We think not At the
legislative hearing the attorney of this
road claimed that the only crossing
used bv it within city limits was the
one at Rines hill. and that it could not
legally be held to pay penny for the
relief of any other. Leading lawyers
in the Legislature took the same view
of the matter. and the chances are that
the court would so hold.
3rd. Does any man believe that the
city of Augusta could afford to put
$50. 600 into a work of this character?
We think not. We do not believe that
our voters-many of whom object to
the small sum of $4,000 called for by
the present bill-could ever be per-
suaded to vote sum ten times as
large.
This would be specially true mas
much as the proposed change would
not even provide US with an easier
grade to or from Water street; but
would leave Rines hill. over which 10
per cent. of our traffic now passes. IN
nreciselv the same condition that it is
today.
This is the situation as it now
stands The bill before US offers