Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-03

ming and construction of the present
Grand Central Terminal at New York.
and the designing and construction Of
the railway tunnel between Detroit,
Michigan and Windsor. Ontario.
In connection with the construction
of the Van Buren, bridge it is probable
that several months were saved from the
fact that he insisted from the first that
the Dominion Bridge Company. of Mon
treal. which had the contract for the su-
perstructure, should use the cantilever
method. Mr.. Todd also spoke earnestly
of the faithful work done by Mr.. Wilgus'
assistant. Resident Engineer T. A. Lang,
who from first to last was on the bridge
work itself. morning. noon and night, re-
CARELESS of weather or other adverse con-
ditfons.
Among other matters which Mr.. Todd
stated he would have liked to have laid
before the party assembled at the Ham
mond Hotel was the excellent work done
by Cyr Brothers. Of Waterville and Ban
gor, who had the contract for the piers
and abutments, and who through the un-
fortunate combination Of circumstances
had undoubtedly not made much, If any,
profit on this large contract, and yet In
spite OF that fact had In no way attempt
ed to skimp their work, but on the con-
trary had done it in the most substantial
manner possible and in a way which will
always stand as q monument to their
faithfulness and good workmanship.
heartfelt sincerity Of the great friend
ship that the town of Van Buren, had al
ways shown toward the Bangor & Aroos-
took Railroad Company, stating that its
Board of Trade through its president, Mr.
Bradbury, and through leading members
and such leading citizens as Allen E.
Hammond. Peter Charles Keegan, Arthur
Brown. James Crawford and w. F.
Paradis had always met the manage
| ment Of the company more than half way
in overcoming difficulties and had always
shown disposition to substantially aid
the railroad company in any business
proposition submitted to them.
The Commercial representative re-
marked that to him it appeared as
though everything connected with the
celebration had gone Off perfectly, to
which President Todd replied that one
thing had happened which almost spoiled
| the day for him. and that was the I'M
| avoidable absence Of Allen e. Hammond.
who for II years had endeavored to bring
about the construction Of this bridge
and yet upon the day Of it's completion
was obliged to remain away from the
opening on account Of severe illness in
his family.
One OF the members of the partv was
Mr.. Emmons Of Portland. collector of
customs for the district Of which Van
Buren, 10 a part. Mr.. Emmons was In
terested In the New bridge and has trans
ferred one OF the deputy collector at
Vanceboro to Van Buren, to assist the
present collector there with the increased
work. w. e. Barrows Of Portland, q
former Bangor man. who IL now in Port.
land. has been sent there to get the work
started and to assist the men in arrang-
ing for their increased duties.
Through the efforts of Cong. F. E.
Guernsey goods coming over the bridge
have the benefit Of the immediate trans
portation act. one Of the last bills passed
at the last session Of Congress. Under
the terms OF this act goods are allowed
to come in over the bridge and go on e.
their destination. provided there is a cus-
toms collector there before being ap-
praised and the duty collected. In this
manner great deal Of time is saved.
The railroad company has to furnish
the government with bond Of 100000 to
protect the duty on the goods in case of
wreck before the shipment reaches its
destination and before the duty is paid.