Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-12

G Mr.. Nelson crOss-eXamined Mr.. Parker-In an
swer to questions he said he had formed no opinion
MS to the details of the proposed building between
Green and Grafton streets. If the subtorranean APP
prOaches were abandoned, he would have passengers
approach the station on its north side. 4 freight
track there would be great objection. The clear
space of24O feet on Washington square, he thought
would be sufficient for a hack stand. If this APP
proach from Washington square was the only one
TO this station, it would not be much nearer the
center than the one east of Grafton street.
In answer to Mr.. E. r. Hoar Mr.. Parker said he
president ofthe Lancaster road, which is intend
ed to run In connection with the Nashua road,
In answer to Mr. Rice, he said if from six to
twelve trains Per day only passed over the freight
tracks north of the station between Green and
Grafton streets, itwould reduce the Inconvenience
incident to their nearuess to the hack stand. If the
freight tracks could be set 30 90 feet off from the
depot, and high wall set up it would shield them
from the hack stand sufficiently
In answer to Mr.. GOulding, Mr. Parker said il
the location he had selected involved q reverse
and backward movement of trains, it would mOdi-
fly his opinions
Mr.. c. S. Turner, superintendent of the Nashua
road, and for twenty-One years connected with rail-
roads in Worcester, was called, He expressed the
opinion that all things considered the location be-
tween Green and Grafton streets is most desirable.
The capital Ofts road is 81 10000. He gave de-
tailed statement of the connections of his road with
the roads at the north and northeast, and the new
connections proposed in the same direction He
described the business of his road as now largely
from the north, and with its proposed new connec-
TONS he anticipated much larger business
from the north and east to New York. as this would
be the most direct as well as the shortest route
through car had already been put on; it expected
to- continue and enlarge this through business, till
all north and east passenger trains run directly
through Worcester, to connect with the Sound
boats, and the Boston and Albany, and the Wilt
mantle roads for New York. These through trains
viii be very important. His road connects with the
express freight trains on the Norwich and PrOvi-
dence roads twice per day on each road, and once
day or more, to the Boston and Albany road, carry
ing TO them and receiving others in return An
increase of business will increase the number of
these trains. These trains occupy perhaps minute
and half in passing given point.
Ihe connections are made during the day,
10 meet the trains on the other roads.
He explained the disadvantages to his road Incl
dent TO the adoption Of the location of Grafton
street, first of which was the turning of all trans
going through from north to south; trains desiring
to go to Providence, Norwich, New York and the
west, are all headed towards Boston, in an opposite
direction IT, instead, the trains go by the cutoff
or yiaduct and ma Ike the connection at station be-
tween Green and Grafton streets, all these trains
are headed in proper direction, The incOnven-
fences OF having a train headed the wrong way
were described in full including the changing of
seats and the shifting of baggage cars from end
of the trains to the other, and these were compared
with the advantages furnished by the station be-
tween Green and Grafton streets. The amount of
freight business which is transferred between the
roads was given, as follows: From August 10 TO
September 10 of this year, 100 from the
Nashua to the Boston and Albany roads, and
over 4UOO cars in the same time from the Nash
ua TO the Providence and Norwich roads.
lie said If the Massachusetts Central road is built it
VIII furnish nearer route to Boston for passengers
and freight on the Gardner road than can be had by
coming into Worcester. When the Lancaster road
Is completed it will furnish a new route to Boston
from Worcester, competitor of the Boston and
Albany road for Boston business. These facts will
Affect the amount of travel and freight over the
Gardner road for Boston via Worcester.
In answer TO Mr.. T.. r. IIoar. he said In making
the connections at Sterling with the Fitchbdrg and
Worcester road his train did not stop to shift the
poslon Of the baggage or passenger Cars could not
spare the time. His road has never had occasion to
run baggage car from his road TO either of the
otner roads running through the city.
IN answer to Mr.. Nelson he said the arrange
ment for the through car for the White mountain
train was made year ago last spring.
MIR. Nelson was called by Mr.. HOar to answer as
TO whether he drew an act produced, which act
never was passed. be said that he drev the act,
which provided for depot betw' Green and
GRAFTON streets; he prepared it fort ie tFoa9 "om-
mlttee, us servant OF them, and not as a repre-
sentative of the city of Worcester; he was desired
to disclose it to no one that such act existed; it
was only drawn for the use of the committee. The
Green and Grafton streets location had been talked
of before.
Mr.. Hoar desired to introduce the act referred TO-
az matter of legislative history of thu net passed.
tending to show that the original legislation which
liked the viaduct looked to no other than the Green
and Grafton street location and therefore that no
such construction should be put upon the provision
for viaduct as should make a station there impOs-
sible 3D. To repe the charge of bad faith by show
ing that tins plan was FIRST suggested by the railroad
committee of the legislature.
Judge Bigelow did not admit the paper it being
objected TO by E. II. Hoar, who argued the point at
some length.
Mr.. Kinnicutt- by Mr. Rice-Am president
of the Worcester & Nashua railrOad heard the tes-
timOny given by Mr.. Turner; concur in his testi-
mony; believe that through connection of the
north and south lines, direct and unbroken, is of
vital Importance to our business; believe the ex-
penSe necessary in fixing the location between
Green and Grafton Streets the location east of
Grafton street ought not to stand in the way of the
Green street lOcatiOn as president of the Nashua
road expect that its share will be paid in such extra
expense He explained the requirements which
called for the through car for White mountain
travel, and the advantages to be gained when the
connecting link which the Rochester railroad will
form, shall be built. Our business with the Boston
and Albany road is from $4,000 to $4,000 month
in freight. 1t seems to me that there can be no
doubt that the Green street location will best ac-
commodate the citizens; the Green street station
may be taken by passengers at Washington square
as well as at the depot at the location east of Graf
ton street.
Emory Banister, called by Mr. Rice: Have ex-
amlned the property to be appropriated for the de-
pot at the location between Green and Grafton
Streets with view to appraisal have partially ex-
amlned and appraised the land for the location east
OF Grafton street. The first appraisal for the Green
and Grafton street location included 22S50 feet of
land. The last appraisal included SO, 641 in addition
making GS,39l feet in all. Made the appraisal in
company with Benjamin Walker and D. s. Messin-
ger. The amount for the land included in the first
appraisal was $500, 248.90; that of the additional
land, 81 ,C22.6O, making in all S371, 271.50. The
tiOn, was $500 403.20. We compared our valuation
with those of the on twenty-one estates;
our appraisal was $425,0045O on that number, and
mat OF the assessors S222 1864, being S2O2 1854
d. 5. Messinger-Examined the land included in
the plan for the depot location between Green and
concur with the statement just made by him.
Benz. Walker was on the committee of appraisal
with Messrs. Messenger and Banister, and concur
with the statement made by them.
Mr.. Kinnicutt resuming-The Lancaster and Con-
cord road, which forms a connecting link making
a continuous line TO Boston, will be leased by the
FItchburg and Worcester, and Worcester and
Nashua roads; in my opinion the people of the
northern part of the city will take this route to Bos
ton when the eight miles of road to be completed is
done, People coming down on the Gardner road
would probably stop at a station at BARRIERS cross
ing II going to Boston, and go over the Worces-
ter and Nashua road, by the new route which is
but fty-one miles, think that will be the quickest
route for them. Think the Boston, Barre and Gard
ner will be competing road with the Boston and
Albany, for the business west The amount of BUSH
ness with through passengers is as large with
that ofloea passengers; the act provides for the
tention OF our Lincoln square depot we shall do
nothing but through business at the Union passen-
ger depot, using the depot at Lincoln street for the
remainder OF our business By the location be-
tween Green and Grafton streets the difficulties now
experienced by us in through business would be
obvlated by the location east of Grafton street, the
trouble would be increased so as to detrimentally
affect the business of our road think in the latter
case we should lose materially in our through bust
ness. Ihlnk II the station Is located at Washing
ton square, 1t viii be station for the Boston and
Albany road only, for don't think the other roads
would take much of their business there; think the
Providence rOad would do its business at the pres
ent station, the Norwich road at their freight house
and at the Junction, which nearer the center of
the city than Washington square, and the Nashua
road at Lincoln square,
S. P. Cushing, called by Mr. Rice, engineer of
Providence and Worcester railroad have examined
both locations and from all the circumstances
should consider the one between Green and Grafton
= tttriI hnnN
travel from the north going west and south: there
are physical difficulties in the way OF its con-
structOn and use.
Phineas Bal-The cost to the Nashua road in ex-
tending their track to the Washington SQUARE loca-
ton would be $4,000 or $4,000; it might be more
Mr.. kinnicutt recalled by Il. II. Hoar-Do not
think that if the location at Green street were to
cost half a million more than the other and
the expense were all to come on the Nashua road
that road could afford to pay the halfmon for the
sake OF the change.
VIM. d. Hilton called by Mr. Aldrich-Superin-
tendent OF Providence and Worcester railroad: the
road is A miles long; capital $1,000, 900: the mas
senger business of the road is mostly local. our road
has about live acres between the depot and juno
ton, with more below the Junction; we exchange
passengers with the other roads at the Junction
We have ample grounds for our business; abOut 30
UOO passengers take the cars annually at our sta
ton, ana the same number arrive there; every sta.
ton on the road is a manufacturing point, and the
business IS consequently increasing; our local
freight is delivered at Green streets the amount in
cludes over 10000 tons of coal each wear and a
large amount of miscellaneous freight and the
amount is increasing; think if we were comDelled
to take our business to Washington square IL would
be hardship 10 the present business and Dreiudi-