The Republican journal., 1911-01-19
THE MAINE CENTRAL.

Entering a New Era of Internal Develop
ment-A Large Territory of Great Re-
sources.
[Brom the Boston News Bureau
Recent developments with the Maine
Central indicate that this northern New
England system, which, although operat-
ed Independently, is controlled by Bos-
ton & Maine through stock ownership,
and which itself owns or directly con-
trols nearly 1000 miles of railroad in
Maine, northern New Hampshire, Yer
mont and Canada, is entering an era of
upbuilding and internal development
never before approached in the railroad
history of that section. A Maine Cen
trail official, asked concerning the sig
nlficance of the recent extensive inspec-
ton trips made during the past month by
representatives of the new board Of
directors, says:
1.-The Maine Central management has
adopted new and comprehensive pro-
gram for opening up the vast traffic pos
sibilities of the region served by its rail-
road and steamboat lines. Efforts have
been inaugurated towards development
of its natural resources in three direc-
tons:
FIRST and foremost is the recent
farming impetus that has taken place in
Maine. Agriculturally, the great, if
crude, possibilities of Maine Central ter
ritory are being exploited as never be-
fore. Notable progress is being made
not only in diversified farming, but also
in orcharding, dairying and poultry pro-
ductlon. 1t is now established that the
soil of central and southern Maine is as
adaptable to potatoes and other vege-
tables as that of the northern part of
the State. Along the route of the Maine
Central lines alone, potato shipments
have increased from IS, 461 tons in 1905
to no, 1852 tons during the past year, a
gain OF nearly 600 per cent. A consider
able proportion of this crop now goes di-
rect to the New York market. While
lumber, pulp wood, wood pulp and paper
comprise at present fully so per cent. of
Maine Central's freight tonnage, the
strong card in our SYSTEMS position lies
in the rapid growth of our agricultural
freight, which forms an especially de-
pendable class of tonnage.
''Our second aim is in the direction of
industrial possibilities. Maine can easily
become one Of the leading manufactur-
ing States in New England when it's
waterpowers have been fully utilized. A
recent report of the State commissioner
shows five unused waterpowers of 1000
horsepower each, two of 5000 horse
power, two of 5000 horsepower, one of
5000 horsepower, one of 5000 horse
power and two of 10000 horsepower.
On Kennebec and St. Croix rivers less
than one-half of the available water
power has so far been developed.
'Malne Central is from year to year
putting large amount of new money
into development Of its property in order
to afford proper transportation facilities
for these manufacturing sites. Over
5000 tons of standard steel rails have
been purchased and laid during the past
season, and it is expected that a like
amount will be part of the 1911 better
ment program 1t is the roads policy to
add from year to year to it's efficiency by
cutting down grades at one place and an
other and by increasing its second track.
Considerable improvements of this class
have been made just west of Bangor
during the past season, and this work
will be continued next year. In addi-
ton, a large sum of money has been
spent for enlargement of the Portland
terminal, and much more is to be expend-
ed in this way in Portland and else
where.
1.-THE third way in which the Maine
Central is seeking patronage is through
the increasing popularization of its terri
tory among summer tourists, vacation
lists and hunting and fishing patrons.
One of its subsidiary lines, the Somerset
railway, has recently purchased Mount
Kineo Hotel at Moosehead lake. This
hostelry will be entirely remodeled.
doubling its capacity to accommodate
between 400 and 500 guests. The pur-
chase includes approximately 1900 acres
of land bordering Moosehead lake, con-
tanning number of high-class shore
cottages, more of which, It is expected,
will be constructed from time to time.
There are now $50 men employed upon
these Improvements.
Summer passenger business along
the seashore, including that in Penobscot
bay and Frenchmen's bay, is also being
augmented by means Of fast-running
steamers between Maine Central termi-
nails and the various islands, including
1slesboro and Mount Desert. A new
steamboat is being built by the Bath
\A'AS.y - VA " OAAos w NC RIdSOA III NOiH-
mission in Frenchman's bay next June.
This latest addition to Maine Central's
fleet will be high-class steel boat 1876
feet long and SO feet beam, with triple
engines and twin screws. The
contract calls for speed of 10 miles per
hour, and the new boat will doubtless do
20 miles per hour between Mt. Desert
Ferry, the end of the Maine Central
track, and Bar Harbor. The boat is in
tended for quick service in connection
with Maine Central trains to all points in
bay.
Dividends of 8per cent. paid to Maine
Central's stockholders have now been
earned for a number of
years, with comfortable SURPRISES in
addition. The surplus earnings have
been expended in permanent improve
ments, increasing earning power. Maine
Centrals traffic has, moreover, shown
steady growth, and its value to Boston &
Maine as feeding line is notably in
from year to year."