Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-12
IS CONTINUED
Hearing Relocation of
One L. A. & w. Track
Citizens Express Themselves on Prop
osition Of Putting One Track on Com
mereial Street-Attorney Nelson Says
Municipal Officers Have Not Author.
ity

The hearing before the municipal;
officers on the petition for the remov
al from Water street of one of the
tracks of the Lewiston, Augusta &
Waterville Street Railway, which has
been signed by large number of Au-
gusta citizens, was productive Of some
interesting discussion last evening at
the city council rooms, but came to a
rather abrupt halt when Mayor Swift
announced it's continuance until
Thursday evening at o'clock in or
der that City Solicitor NJ f. Sawtelle
may complete his investigation of the
legal phases of the matter and ascer-
tain the full extent of the citys rights.
Sieners Express Themselves
After reading the petition Mayor
Swift invited remarks from any person
who might be interested and. as there
was some hesitation, suggested that
some Of the signers present might like
TO express themselves. He called upon
A. NJ. Wight, who spoke briefly. Mr..
Wight said that his purpose in being
present was more to find out what
could he done than to make sugges
tons. He said that he. like other peo-
pie, had been troubled by the con-
gestion Of the traffic. although he real
lied the difficulty Of interpreting traf-
fic directions. He wanted to find out,
he said, whether the street is for the
railroad or for the people"
City Solicitor Sawtelle was next
called upon.
II only want to say" he said. that
the question was sprung upon me very
recently and ] haven't been able to
give the attention which so import
ant a question requires. OF course it is
a question of law and not simple
question
John r. Nelson, attorney for the L.,
A. g. w. Co, was invited to express
his views.
"Of course" said Mr.. Nelson. mo
city could he the center of street
railroad system. as ours is. and have
the convenences without having in
conveniences. I realize this and the
management does also. believe also
that the mana cement is too ready to
cooperate with the city"
People May Not Want Change
Mr.. Nelson said that he was not sure
the people are sure they want the
change. He referred to the incon-
venience and annoyance caused by the
old single track and the fact that the
double track had been installed in re-
spcnse to a petition by the citizens
II do not believe and I cannot be-
lieve that the merchants want that
track to come up and want the people
coming to Augusta dumped on Com
mercial street" said Mr.. Nelson. III
closing his remarks he said that he
believed that the petition should nave
been presented to the Public Utilities
Commission, which body, he thought
would have authority to order re-
location, instead of to the municipal
officers, who he believed. had no
authority to take such action.
Thomas H. BODICE expressed the view
that any change should be made only
after the most thorough deliberation,
as conditions might be even worse
from a change. He believed that the
cars might be moved little more ex-
peditiousiy but said that he rean.eu
the difficulties involved in handing
many cars with sometimes TOO httte
power. He remarked that conditiohs
are vastly better than when there was
only a single track.
Henry Sturgis said that ne De-
lieved nothing would be gained by the
suggested change. 1t would be neces-
sary to remove the snow from Com
mercial street In the winter. ne said.
and there would not be sufficient room
there for teams.
DR. f. H. Stubs said that although
he felt that there are conditions that