Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-05
Mr.. Barnes Opening

Mr.. Barnes Opening
Charles p. Barnes Of Houlton, coun-
sci for the Mattawamkeag & Eastern
Railroad in its petition for approval
of its articles of association.
He exhibited maps showing the
proposed route. The eastern terminal
of the NJ. G. E. is Bangor and the
asks authority to continue a line
through from Mattawamkeag, through
Winn, Webster Pl. and Kingman to
Drew Pl.; it will connect with the
Eastern Maine Railroad to be built
this year, giving connection with
Bangor. The length of the line is IL
miles and when all is completed will
shorten the Bangor Houlton distance
from 142 to H. miles. The esti-
mated cost is about $325,0O0.
Mr.. Barnes said southern Aroos-
took had been crying for railroad ia
clities. Plenty of capital was avail
able before the war and now the
projectors of the Eastern Maine
Railroad have now completed arrange
ments whereby capital will be fur
nished to build the read. The capi-
talists say that building of the Mat
tawamkeag- Drew Pl. line is ncces-
sary to carry out the agreement. We
then wish to show the necessity Of
building the main line of the Eastern
Maine Railroad. of H. miles, to prove
the necessity of our IS mile line.
The part of Aroostook south of
Houlton was the first settled, long
before northern Aroostook was
thought OF. The r. & A. has taken
care of products Of The northern part
of the county, but in the southern
part and northern Penobscot county.
equally as good products can be
grown. The road also will open up
much undeveloped land. excellent
farming land. with valuable timber.
The fact that three Canadian roads
VIII be served by the Eastern Maine
Railroad insurcs us At least 100 cars
a day, which will materially reduce
the cost of operation and freight
charges. making it desirable as a
reasonable carrier for its patrons. One
distance is also shorter, which will
reduce the cost. Plenty of freight is
in sight. both farm products and
TIMBER, with water power to manu-
facture the lumber.
Prior to 1890 Aroostook had no
rall connection except the Canadian
racine. The census OF 1920 shows
what the railroad has done for Aroos-
took county and it may we'll be seen
what i1rnaI will ,J,>
ern section of the county.
The crop of northern penobscot and
southern AroostOok counties is the
potato. Farm land five or six miles
from the railroad cannot be proftablv
| titled. owing to the maui expense per
barrel. Much land is not now served
ny a railroad near enough. Our rail-
road will open up much land to pota
to raising
Mr.. Barnes stated the increases in
population and valuation Of tho yari
Gus Aroostook places served by the
q. d A. during the past 30 years.
In southern Aroostook, to he
served by the first years construction
which will not be served unless this
line is built-are numerous places
which have been losing in population
on account of not having railroad
service and the valuation increasing
very slowly.
The territory to he served has
small population now but great pos
sibiities for growth.
Charles L. Andrews, Augusta
Charles J.. Andrews of Augusta
clerk of the Mattawamkeag & East
crn Railroad, and Eng. Frank l..
Holmes OF Olamon, identified the
plans Of the proposed road.
Mr.. Holmes stated that the dis
lance of the proposed line was 1872
miles.
Mr.. Andrews said the distance on
the Eastern Railroad from Houlton
to Bangor was 112 miles. The direc
tors of the Eastern Maine Railroad
have been assured that an apprecia
bic amount of freight would reach the
road from Canadian points. Funds
for the construction Of the Eastern
Railroad will he secured from New
York capitalists, and the New York
capitalists insist that the Mattawam-
keag & Eastern Railroad he first con-
structed.
William S. TAYLOR and F. T.. Hoyt
are the New York financiers." said
Mr.. Andrews in reply to question
by c. H. Blatchford OF Portland. at
torney for the Maine Central Rail-
road Co.