Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-16

The Public Utilities Commission on
Thursday gave a hearing on the several
complaints Of citizens Of Augusta, Hal
lowell and Gardiner alleging insufficient
and inadequate service on the lines of
the Lewiston. Augusta s. Waterville
street Railway BETWEEN those cities, and
as the testimony disclosed, on the line
from Gardiner to West Gardiner and
from Augusta up along Riverside Drive,
or the old Bangor road. Commissioners
shelton and Mullen heard the case. with
cal Reporter Edward J. Conner In at
tendance. Former Judge Benedict r, Ma
her Of Augusta conducted the side of the
petitioners from the Riverside Drive sec-
ton, the others handling their own case.
Attorney John e. Nelson of Augusta ap-
peared for the L., A. & w. st. Ry.. and
General Counsel VIM. NJ. Bradley OF
Portland was present to look after the
interests of the Cumberland County
Light & Power Co. which controls the
railway system Of which this line is a
branch. General Manager E. w. Bowie
was also present.
l.. J. Straw of the shoe manufacturing
firm of Marston l. Brooks of HalloWell,
stated that he lived at the Augusta
House and knew from personal experience
that the cars at certain hours were late
and over-crowded and that complaints
from employees were to the same effect.
The fault had become so great that his
employees, in order to get to their homes
in the other cities and towns, had to
leave work at hours earlier than the clos
ing schedule, a state of affairs which was
demoralizing his crew and hurting his
business The trouble was worse along
toward night. when men and women were
obliged to stand and even ride on the
car steps. The service was never good,
but worse at some times than at theirs.
He was employing from 300 to 400 hands
and II was becoming difficult to keep
them, because of the difficulty OF getting
home and street railway accommodations.
He had no objection to the through
cars attending to what local trafhc they
could handle without interfering with
good service Didn'. remember ever re-
ouesting a special car for his office force.
Had talked over the general trouble with
Mr. Bouie Who had told him of the trou-
bic with the power plant. HAD not talk
cd with Mr.. Hazard Of Gardiner or the
rrossett people Of Augusta about TINS
service.
Elliott NJ. Andrews. Office manager OF
the Marston & Brooks Co. stated that
the crowded condition of the cars at
times prevented people from gong
where they wished to go and the r.
regularity and constant lateness OF
cars at certain hours made 1t haro-
shin on those who had to rely on them
for TRANSPORTATION to their homes. lie
had kept tabs OH certain trips for some
time and knew they were usually late
the trips between 4 and 6 T. NJ. out
of Hallowell He cited specihc IN
stances and gave dates; including
cases where people were late at enter
tainments in Augusta and others Wnere
people would not buy tickets TO the
entertainment courses in Augusta, on
account of not being sure OF getting
there or getting home.
He had circulated the petition and but
one business man in Halloween refused
to sign for reasons of personal con-
nectious with the road. A letter from
Pres H. G. Turner OF the HALLOWEEN
Board Of Trade to the same effect was
read by Mr.. Andrews.
About IS to 100 Of the factorys help
we're patrons of the road.
Burton l.. Dorr. sole cutter and who
lives in West Gardiner. said the service
was fairly good for himself and the
% or 80 others for whom the road sent
a special car in the morning. but at
night it was uncertain about getting
beyond Gardiner, as the Lewiston car
had been known to pull out and leave
the rhole crowd stranded in Gardiner.
Maurice w Royal, a jeweler of HALO
we'll, said the cars were insufficient Tor
the travel at times and he and others
we're frequently obliged to stand, even
on the running boards and steps. The
cars we're often and usually late and
the service poor.
Fred Bailey. superintendent OF the
Crosset factory in Augusta, made no
complaint against what cars that were
run being on time. but that the sched-
ule was such that his employees were
Obliged to leave home earlier than they
should to reach the factory IN time TO
start work at Z A. NJ. and II they did
not the cars made them from D TO ~
minutes late Thought the service
should be re-arranged.
Attorney Benedict F. Maher called
Howard mcfarland as the first wit
ness for the Riverside Drive or Ban
sor road petitioners. He stated that