Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-22

In comprehensive and enlighten-
ing talk on the present transporta-
ton problems in Maine. Hon. Will
liam r. Pattangall Of this city out
lined the two most favored programs
sof New England railroad consolida-
ftion at the meeting of the Augusta
Rotary club at the Augusta House
last evening. Mr.. Pattangalrs expo
sition of the subject was analytical
and mastery. and the speaker sug-
gested a concerted action through
public opinion on the part of the
business men of the State, for con-
solidation of lines which would bene-
fit the Maine shippers and assure
a future prosperity and progressive
ness.
Mr.. Pattangalrs remarks came as
the feature event of the regular
meeting, attended by a record num-
Der of Rotarians and guests. The
usual fine luncheon was enjoyed at
6.15 in the banquet hall, and the
Rotarians and guests enlivened the
session with number of poppy
songs under the leadership of Charles
F. Bilodeau and j. Francis Mac
Nichol. 1t was voted to. send the
president or the secretary of the
district executives to be held with
Governor Dan Sullivan in the near
! future.
In introducing the speaker of the
| evening, President Paul Sargent stat
ed that without doubt he was the
peer of any attorney practicinC in
Maine or New England, and his abil-
ity in debate orargument was famil-
lar to all citizens of Augusta.
Mr.. Pattangall- stated that Maine
was at the present time going
through a period from which it
should emerge progressively in
| business sesse. He called attention
to the fact that in the first 40 years
of it's career as a State, from 1920 to
1860, the population Increased from
10000 to 100000. but in the Aext 60
years the increase was only about
100000. one of the lowest rates of
increase in the United States. Dur
ing the period of rapid growth,
Maine publicly aided in the building
of railroads.
Social, educational, religious and
spiritual development only comes to
those communities which are pros
porous in material ways" said Mr..
Pattangall, land this prosperity and
development is bound up in an adj
equate transportation system.
"This problem is more serious in
Maine than in any other state be-
corner of the country. At present
Maine business interests are suffer-
ing because of too high freight rates
and inadequate service. There are at
present only 1000 miles of railroads
serving $4,000 square miles of terri
tory"
The speaker said we should deter
mine IL the public or governmental
attitude is in any way responsible
q, 0f
on money invested in railroad prop
erty and gave it as his belief that
the system of taxation is faulty. The
State is taking 100000 per year
for a franchise tax, or IL percent
; on the gross receipts, and at present
this money is not coming out of an
earned surplus but out of the freight
payers. So that the franchise tax
is factor in the increase OF freight
rates.
In seeking to determine what
should be done on the part of the
railroads to increase the prosperity
and usefulness of the lines, Mr.. Pat
tangall stated that in many instances
the intra- state freight rates or rates
from one point to another within
the state, are prohibitive, and cited
instances where a six to sixty mile
Z haul within the state cost practically
the same as shipment of the same
!. goods to New York. A revision of
the intra- state rates would be big
!, factor in building up the railroads
of Maine was his opinion.
In speaking Of the proposition
pending before the Federal authori-
tiesto make consolidation of roads
compulsory, Mr.. Pattangall said the
MAINE representatives had for the
most part objected 10 the so-called
Storrow plan Of uniting all the New
England roads into one system. He
: recalled that the Maine Central d