The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-24
HO0SAC TUNNEL.

Minority Report or the Legislative Conn
mfttee Railroads of Massachu-
setts-statc Control Advocated and
Consolidate OF Railroads.
BOSTON, April %, 1873.
The minority report OF the Legislative Commit.
tee on Railroads estimates the cost OF the Hoosac
tunnel including interest, at $12,OoO,O00, and say
that this expenditure is charge upon the people
and the property OF the whole State. It seems
improbable that any disposition can be made Of
the tunnel which can return to the treasury the
whole sum expended, and 1t is for the Legis-
lature to determine how far q return can
be made to the people OF the State
from this great public expenditure In increased
which are now burden upon the whole COM
munity. Since the tunnel was projected new lines
OF railroad have been built, which give nearly every
portion of the State direct access to the tunnel,
and through 1t 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 this new avenue to
the West, and to secure equal rights to
all parties desiring to use 1t, the state must not
part with the control OF the tunnel. We are equally
convinced that to secure efficiency In the lines
working through the tunnel consolidation is neces-
sary, and that the tunnel itself must be worked
and managed foI oil parties using IL by one head.
Noprivate corporation can be trusted when its own
interests may conflict with the interests of other
ana perhaps rival corporations to establish or
force rules for the transaction OF such business.
The report goes on TO advocate State manage
mcnJ, which, 1t Is claimed, would be efficient and
reliable beyond that Of ordinary railroad corpora
lions. The bill accompanying the report provides
for the appointment OF five trustees by the Gov
ernOr and Council whe are to he created cOrpo-
ration under the name Of the State Board Of Irus.
tees OF The Hoosac Tunnel Railroad, and shall have
sole charge, direction and control Of the Troy and
Greenfield Railroad, and OF the Hoosac tunnel
when said tunnel shall be completed or surren-
dered by the contractors; also OF the Southern
Vermont Railroad, and OF such other railroads
as may be leased or acquired under the provisions
of this act. They shall appoint a treasurer, gen.
eneral manager whenever they deem such an
officer necessary, one or more superintendent,
and such other agents may be required Tor the
operation OF said railroads and tunnel. Semi
annual reports to the Governor and Council and
annual reports to the Railroad Commissioners, are
provided Tor Each trustee shall receive $4,000
per annum, except the president who shall re-
ceve $4,000. The sum OF $5,OOo,0o0 is appro-
prated to carry out the provisions OF the
act which shall be provided Tor by means OF an issue
the Vermont and Massachusetts, the Fltchburg
cent OF the gross earnings of each leased railroad
is to be reserved annually, from which to pay the
renta-equal to ten per cent on the present CAPT
tai stock OF each company. Each company Is to
elect one trustee Tor five years, who shall become
member OF the Board.
The majority report tavors consolidation, but not
State control.