The Portland daily press., 1873-04-24
MASSACHUSETTS.
The Hoosac Tunnel.
Proposition for the People to Rum
a Railroad.

BosToN, April 23.-TAe minority report of
the Legislative Committee on Railroads, esti-
mate the cost of the Hoosac Tunnel, including
interest, at $12,000000, and say that this ex-
penditure is charge upon the people and the
whole State. 1t seems improbable that any
disposition can be made of the tunnel which
can return to the Treasury the whole sum ex-
pended, and it is for the Legislature to deter
mine how far return can be made to the peo-
pie OF the State from this great public expendi-
ture in increased means of Transportation and
reduction of rates, which are now burden
upon the whole community.
Since the tunnel was projected new lines of
railroad have been built which give to nearly
every portion Of the State direct access to the
tunnel and through it to the great West The
Committee are fully convinced that to secure
to the people the full advantages to be derived
from the construction of thisnew avenue to the
West and to secure equal rights to all parties
desiring to use it, the State mus not mart With
the control of the tunnel We are equally con-
WINGED that secure efficiency in the lines work.
ing through the tunnel, consolidation is neces
sary, and that the tunnel itself must be worked
and managed for all parties using it by one
head. No private corporation can be trusted
when its own interests may conflict with inter
ests of other and perhaps rival corporations TO
establish or to enforce rules for the transaction
of such business
The report goes on to advocate State man
agement, which, it is claimed, would be eff
Gent and reliable beyond that of ordinary rail
read corporations. The bill accompanying the
report provides for the appointment of five
trustees by the Governor and the committee
who are to- be created corporation under the
name of the State Board of Trustees of the
Hoosac Tunnel Railroad, and shall have sole
charge, directioni and control:of the Troy and
Greenfield Railroad and of the Hoosac Tunnel
when said tunnel shall be completed or sur
rendered by the contractors; also of the South
ern Vermont Railroad. and of such other rail-
M N hn nd rira1 Il 81
provisions of this act. They shall appoint a
treasurer, and a general manager whenever
they may deem such an officer necessary, one or
more superintendent and such other agents q S
may belrequired for the operation of said rail-
roads and tunnel
Semi-annual reports to the Governor and
Council and annual reports to the Railroad
Commissioners are provided for. Each trustee
shall receive $4,000 per annum, except the Pres
ident who shall receive $5O00 The sum of
visions of the act, which shall be provided for
by the issue of scrip. Provision is made for
the leasing of the Vermont and Massachusetts
railroad, the Fitchburg railroad and the Troy
and Boston railroad. Twenty-Five per cent. of
the gross earnings of each leased road is to be
reserved annually, to pay the rental equal to
ten per cent. of the present capital stock of
each company. Each company is to elect one
trustee for five years, who shall become a
member of the board. The majority report
tavors conSolldatlon, Dut not otaUe control
Rum Murder.
BOSTON, April 23-At Edgeworth this morn
ing, Mark Boothby, a carpenter, while under
the influence of liquor, deliberately shot his
wife,instantly killing her. The murderer escap.
ed but his little girl gave the alarm and he will
probably soon be arrested
Various Matters.
Lewis alias Deluse. was sentenced to sixteen
years in States Prison to-day for burglary.
. Aionzo Burke of Milton, was killed last even
ing while trying to get on board of a moving
The Massachusetts, Legislative Committee on
LABOR reported to the House to-day leave to
Withdraw on the various petitions for the eight