Ellsworth American., 1919-04-09
Correspondence.
Troiley-Motors.

realize what might be accomplished for
their splendid town if community OF
interests we're established tbere9
Many years ago | was interested in
charter for an electric road from th
Falls down to Bayside, with the intention
of extending the line on to Mount Deser
island.
Another charter was obtained for al
electric road from Ellsworth to Winte
Harbor, and crossing bridge at Wes
Sullivan.
Another company obtained charter
for a line from Ellsworth to Bluehil
and some of the other towns in the wes
ern part of the county.
Another contemplated road was from
Ellsworth to the northern part of the
county to take care of the lumber business
Still another charter was granted for sn
electric road from Ellsworth to Bar Har-
Dor. This road had full survey of the
route, purchased four or five houses and
land near the Maine Central depot at Els
worth for its terminal, and also OBJ
tanned options of land at Bar Harbor and
West Eden for imsrovements in connec-
tion with its system.
Suppose all these roads had been built
as planned. Ellsworth would have been
by this time city of probably 1900 pop
ulation. Ellsworth would have been
greatly benefited by continuing the
Washington County railroad into Ellis
worth and having a union station in the
city proper.
| Suppose, now, the mistakes of the past
were forgotten, and some new life injected
| into the city by a new and more modern
| system of transportation, which can be
built to cover all the places mentioned, for
what it would have cost to build only one
of the roads for which the charters were
| granted.
William E. McClintock, member OF
the American Society of Civil Engineers,
says in the Boston Herald of March q,
| that "trackless trolleys are successfully
operated in all important European
countries, as well as in South Africa,
Argentine and China. Non-paying street
railways have already been converted into
trackless trolleys which do pay in
England, France, Italy, Norway,
Germany, Austria and Hungary. They
can be equipped at onetifth, operated at
ess than one-h half and maintained at
, one-tenth the cost of rail line" He
also says; sit will give equal or better
service and the cars are noiseless,
roomy and very comfortable, and far
better by being operated heated and
lighted by electricity. There is no wait
ing at switches and turnouts or for stalled
cars"
The trackless trolleys can be operated
on all good roads through the winter
season, as snow rollers are used which
roll the snow down to level as fast as it
falls, so that all vehicles may easily pass
over these roads at any and all times of
the year. They will also help to overcome
much of the trouble with the roads in the
spring when the frost is coming out of
the ground.
Suppose line was built first to Mount
Desert island, that would handle the
passenger, freight, express and mail to
and from all sections not now covered
by the direct rail and steamboat connec-
tions. What a convenience and benefit
to the people ON the southern part OF the
island that has been practically cut off
from service during the past season.
Suppose line was built from Ellsworth
to Surry, BluehiIl, Brooklin, Sedgwick,
and Brooksville, to carry the bulk OF
the general business to and from Ellis
worth. Do you people realize the value
of such an enterprise?
Instead of a small steamboat or a stage
line connection, as has been in the past,
have regular schedule line so that people
can depend upon it. The rates would
be low in comparison to any other
method, and the cars would run the
entire year.
Suppose another line from Ellsworth
east via Hancock, Franklin, Sullivan,
Sorrento, Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor,
thus bringing large mercantile business
to Ellsworth.
Suppose another line was built from
Ellsworth up Union river, to bring the
business from the northern part Of the
county, much of which now goes into
Bangor. just think of the forty lakes
and ponds, all attractive and beautiful for
summer visitors to enjoy; also the lum-
Der interests could be cared for by this
system, and the building up Of the farm
ing interests, which is always dependable
on transportation.
Ellsworth would soon have population
four or five times as great as to-day, and
real estate would be of some respectable
value, instead of decreasing every year, as
it has for the past twenty-five years. The
young people would then be glad to re-
main in live and progressive town, in
stead of all skipping out as soon as big
enough to leave, and manufacturing enter
prises would then be seeking Ellsworth
on account of its improved conditions.
| The water powers of Maine are not one
| half the benefit they should be to the
State on account of the lack of enter
/ nrise and general DesSimistic ideas of the