Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-15
RAILRO.4D JcoNsoLID4TIoN

sF
So The railroad consolidation which has
been effected in our State gives the best of
satisfaction where.it has been allowed to
operate.q The facilities for travel and
transportation have been increased greatly
to the public advantage and convenience.
Neither Is this for a temporary purpose.
What has been done in the way of better
accommodation is but the beginning, to be
followed BY other increase as soon IS plans
can be perfected and arrangements com
pleted Instead Of elashing companies
bending their energies TO cripple each
other, erecting barriers against public
travel and trade, running up bills in worse
than useless contests for the public to pay
at some time, and unable in their isjointed
and warlike condition to establish any rail
road system or policy for the State such
rs its interests demand, we have now
well defined and established railroad or
ganization, giving harmony, method and
energy to the whole, aud seeking lis profit
through the greater economy with which
it's business is conducted and by the bet
ter accommodation it affords. The adj
!, rantages are. becoming so apparent that
opposition Is dying out among those who
$ opposed the plan in theory, and it is ex-
tending and embracing all the railroads in
the State. 49, ,t. '''' = ','.
a. There Is n strong feeling in other States
9 TO not only consolidate all the roads but to
have them run and controlled by the State
Last year, one of the Massachusetts State
g Commissioners ON Cheap Transportation
made report to the Legislature in favor
Of the purchase of the trunk railroads by
the State and the consolidation of the
parallel ones, He thought they might pay
for themselves in twenty years, and after
that be run for the people at the simple
cost Of operating them. This report was
critically examined and stood the test sue
cessfuily but the Legislature was not pre-
pared for the revolution in railroad matters
which it would create and no action was
taken on it. The same report is before the
b present Legislature, and if not adopted
will probably continue to be offered until
the Legislature win feel compelled to act.
The Newburyport Herald says it is the
most important railroad problem to solve
that has ever been Submitted to men. Ii
his attracted attention out of the State,
and the New York Tribune, Herald and
Times have sent their ablest men to in
terview the State Commissioner, who
has Informed them fully upon the subject
and they have been fayorably impressed
% with it. sdI ala4a aEe tt5.4 ...,i %
aiA 1t is evident that the tendency is towards
consolidation, either by company manage
ment or by the State. Rival companies
object in some cases to being merged in
such a manner, but opposition is dying
ont. and the broad management which is
guided by honorable men and far sighted
vision il proving a success where it has
fair chance, both for the roads and the
public. Our railroad system is in its
crudest state. Its future growth and de-
= vslopment -is~ a~xast work. Its pelma-
nent shape is yet to be established, and
when it is nothing can be more certain
than that consolidation win be the rule
q and common interest govern the whole.
:.