Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-17

change Of grade. The best engineers
available, however, were called into con-
sultation. Careful consideration was
given all recommendations, and the work
begun. All things considered, / believe
the grade established to be the best pos
sible. Rines hill has been built many
times during the past 25 years and at a
large total cost. 1t is built now to stand
Competent engineers do not hesitate to
say that the work is good for 5ua years.
1t will outlive this generation. 1t is built
of the best cement and rugged Maine
granite. The regarding was done from
Court street to the railroad bridge, and
the grade covering that portion was re-
duced from about II per cent. to a per
cent grade The hill was also widened
and the L. A. & w. st. Ry. tracks were
moved to correspond to the new street
line. The old sidewalks was cut down
from height of three to four feet above
the street to curb depth. The work
was done by contract with the Hassam
Paving Company of Worcester. Mass,
and consisted of a concrete base of five
inches on WHICH was laid stone block
paving grouted with cement grout. Has
sam paving was laid between the tracks
of the L. A. & w. st. Ry. from the foot
of the hill to Grove street, still further
widening the hill and improving its ap-
pearance.
The total cost to the city for this con-
struction was s7561.37 The L. A. & w.
st. Ry. paid ssS9.3S. the NJ. C. r. r. paid
for paving on the bridge s76S.43, leaving as
a net cost to the city $5S0356. Within
two weeks the M. c. R. R. has given the
city cash contribution on this account
Of $500. making the net cost to the city
only $4303.56. In passing should not omit
the fact that, in addition to the payment
to the city on account of the hill by the
NJ c. r. r. of $226s.43, the NJ. C. r. r.
paid for changes on the bridge and for
weather proofing the bridge s1210.42, MAX
ing the total cost to the M. c. r. r. of
$S47S.S5. Nor should 1 close without due
acknowledgment to this corporation of
it's generosity and it's readiness to do
everything that the city had the right to
ask or expect, and more AS 1t stands
today. the city of Augusta has paid less
than half the total cost of Rines hill.
You will agree with me that the issue
of Rines hill has been worlAI out to a
however, 1 deem 1t of value to read into
the records the following correspond
ence between the management of the l.
A. & W. Street Railway and the city:
Office of Mayor,
Augusta, Me-. Feb. 5, 1914.
III. B. Ivers. General Manager,
Lewiston. Augusta & Waterville St Ry.
Portland, Maine.
Dear Mr. Ivers:
Re-cost of construction on Rines hill
-Four years after the railroad cut Rines
hill has been permanently rebuilt with
granite and cement and the averags
grade materially reduced. l believe thu
fact is of Importance to the city, the L.
A. & w. and the NJ. C. r. r.
By the terms of the legislative act of
1909 the State of Maine paid s25. goo, tn
Insta l. a; & e.. "; u. a5'cS and the city of M Au,
amounting to s14S, 1000 was borne by the
NJ. G. r. r.
The total cost of the new constructor
on Rines hill is s756l37. The L. A. & ".
as per bills rendered. sss9.3s The NJ. c
r. r. has paid S76S.43 for paving on the
bridge. This leaves a net cost to the city
of S5SO3 S.
In addition to the cost of paving on
the bridge the NJ. c. R. r. paid for water
proofing the bridge and for permanent
foundation, s121o.42. BY agreement with
General Manager Douglass "Wednesday
contribution towards the net cost of con
struction amounting to 1890. This cash
contribution added to the other items
makes total cost to the NJ. c. r. r. on
account of construction, of this hill 81
s347905. / do not know the cost to you
on account of change of location on the
hill, and only have the figures 1888. SO co.,
ering total bills rendered to you by the
city.
Three parties were interested in the
railroad cut, and the same three parties
are benefited by the permanent building
of Rines hill. AS the figures stand to-
day In this office the net cost to the city
is S430S.5s, The cost to the NJ. c. r. r
is as stated above s3479.o5. while the L. A
& w. has paid s9S9.3S while the cost To
the L. A. & w. for it's own work on its
track is not here known.
Following the generous action of the NJ.
c. r. r. 1t occurs to me, that the l.. \.
& w. may be willing to make some con
tribution towards a further reduction OF
the net cost to the city. l am sure you
will givesthis suggestion careful consider
alton, and in view of all the circum-
stances and substantial benefits long to
accrue to all parties concerned l strongly
hope that your company Will follow the
generous lead of the NJ. c. r. r. in the
matter. and will make a contribution IN
proportion to its interests involyeds and
benefits to be received
Awaiting a reply, I am,
Sincerely yours
E. E. NEWBERT, Mayor.