Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-05

ID spiendio supply OF water OF gooo
quality.
Establish . Crossing
Hon. Frank G. Harrington Of Au-
gusta appeared before the commits
sion In behalf of Oscar z. Leighton.
who lives in Augusta three miles
| from the postofiice, who fled a petit
ton with the commission asking 1t
| to direct the Maine Central Railroad
Company to establish and maintain
a temporary crossing over its tracks
at q point on the easterly side of the
Kennebec river 1856 feet north Of the
cost marked as indicating 66 miles to
Portland.
The petitioner states that he asks
for the crossing to enable him to
transport wood, coal and other sup
plies and commodities to his build
fngs westerly to the tracks where he
II raising chickens, to transport ice
from the Kennebec river and to
transport hay and other commodities
over the land lying westerly Of the
Plilroad company's tracks to his land
lying easterly Of the tracks.
Attorney Harrington said that the
petitioner would not ask that the
crossing be continued after next fall.
Mr.. Leighton. the petitioner. tes-
titled as to the amount Of shipping
which he would do at the point where
he wished the crossing located.
rs there a crossing about 300 feet
ing" asked Col George z. Fogg of
Portland, counsel for the Maine Cen
trail Railroad Company, who opposed
the petition.
Il understand that there is a way
for a crossing but 1t Is not in use, II
has been discontinued" replied the
witness.
ION whose land is that crossing
located?"
'It is on my land"
ION the face Of the earth, there Is
no crossing there" remarked Chair
man Quincy.
THE planking has been taken up
and the crossing Is not used" said
Mr.. Leighton. IF that crossing was
in existence as a disable crossing. l
would not ask that another crossing
be located"
Osgood Crawford, a neighbor Of Mr..
Leighton. testified as to the amount OF
shipping done by Mr.. Leighton.
Harry Stetson of Portland, general
superintendent of the maintenance
Of way Of the Maine Central Railroad
Company, showed plans and testified
as to the cost Of crossings.
Attorney Fogg arguing against the
establishment Of the crossing in be-
half Of the Maine Central Railroad
Company, said that the crossing Is
not q use contemplated by the stat
ute. and is not a necessity in this
case but convenience for the petit
toner.
1--WE feel that the creation Of this
crossing would establish a bad pre-
cedent." said Col. Fogg.
1T is a well known fact that the
Maine Central Railroad is not able
to spend any more money than Is abb
solutely necessary and every new
crossing Is an additional burden TO
the railroad COMPANY" continued Col.
Fogg.
Attorney harrington argued that
the petitioner was not conducting a
shoe string" business and the petit
tionet would never have gone into
the business Of raising chickens If he
did not think that crossing would
be located at the point in question.
I'VE claim that we are within our
rights" said Mr.. harrington, and the
Legislature OF 1919 passed the law
to cover such cases as the present
one. This crossing would not entail
any great expense for, the railroad
company"
The members Of the Utilities Com
mission visited the scene Of the pro-
posed crossing in the afternoon.