Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-03
Appears Before the State
Railroad Commission
With Petition for Suitable Pro-
lection Of Rines Hill.
A Stone or Concrete Parapei De.
sired at the Top Of the MIL.

Mayor Reuel ]. Moves of Augusta
appeared, Thursday afternoon. before
the state Board Of Railroad Commits
sioners in behalf OF a petition from
the Augusta city council, asking that
the present guard and railing at
the top of Rines hill be replaced
with suitable stone or con-
crete wall or some other adequate pro-
lection. The Maine Central Railroad
was represented by Seth NJ. Carter of
Auburn as counsel and Theo. Dunn,
the chief engineer. while the Lewis
ton, Augusta & Waterville Street Ry.
was represented by Hon. Herbert NJ.
Heath of Augusta and General Mana
ger Harry b. Ivers of Lewiston.
Mayor Noyes explained that he had
brought the matter before the COM
missioners on account of strong To-
cal sentiment that something should
be done in the matter. He desired
the commissioners to go over the
ground and see what was needed to
make the road at the top of Rines'
hill safe to the travelling public. Since
the petition had been filed an addi-
tional guard rail had been placed there
by the Street Railway, but he thought
that it needed still more adequate pro-
lection.
Attorney Carter asked the mayor
what particular danger there was at
the top of the hill and the mayor ex-
planned that it was largely on account
of the electric cars, which he thought
in case of accident might crash down
the railing and topple over the en-
bankment
Chairman Spofford of the railroad
commissioners said he thought that
the Maine Central Railroad had car
ried out its obligation and that it was
matter between the city and the
street railway.
THAT is what We want you to say,
what should be done and whether the
steam or electric road should pay foi
| it; we do not think that the city
should" replied Mayor Moves
| Manager Ivers in response to IN
quiry by Mayor Moves said that the
guard rail was placed at the top OF
the hill at about the time that the
petition to the railroad commission
ers passed the city council.
| "A great deal Of feeling exists IL
i regard to this matter among the
ltownspeople." interposcd Mr. Heath
l"They believe that it is very danger
Ious place and that the Maine Contra
i Railroad has not left it in safe con
iditfon. Within a week we have hat
la bad accident with an electric car IL
front of the state House, where it wa
lderailed by a broken axle, and with
similar accident at the top OF the MI
IL believe that the car would go dow
lover the bank" He said there wa'
mo law by which the Street Railroad
lcould be compelled to make tbs
changes.
Mayor Neycs said that what was
WANTED WAS something TO protect tbs
cars from going over the bank. Ht
did not known Just how it could be
leonstructed but thought that some
kind of parapet should be built NJ
Isufficient to stop a runaway car.
Managers Ivers said that the Street
Hallway had put in an entirely new
track on the hill and a double guard
rail. although he thought that one ran
was just as good as two. lie also
quoted from the order issued by the
road, Dee. >, 1910. to show the extreme
Icaution which the crews were obllseu
to take in running cars upon the hlil.
Attorney Carter thought it was rath -
er an extraordinary situation that re-
Toured the construction of bunker
outside the limits of the highway.
| Some discussion followed in regard
| to the widening of the street. Ehgl-
neer Dunn said that the street had
been widened about seven feet ana
Manager Ivers volunteered the infor-
nation that the Street Railway track
| had been set over about a foot when
travel was resumed upon the hill.
Attorney Heath AISLE il the city So
llicitor had ever considered what dam
age the city might have to settle II
runaway car or automobile plunged
lover the embankment. Mayor Moves
replied that he did not know and add
ed that he considered the railing quite
strong enough for an ordinary team.
| The commissioners and Interested
parties at l.30 visited the top of Rines
hill and spent half an hour or more
looking over the situation.
The commissioners reserved thell
l