Litchfield enquirer., 1879-03-20
Connecticut Railroading.

: We look with interest for the action of the road fares. It is very easy to ridicule those who propose this measure as Goodwin luna- tics. What intelligent observer, however, has not observed the immense strides made by our great consolidated railroad towards complete supremacy not only over Connecticut railroads, but ever the Connecticut legislature? Against the repeatedly expressed wishes of the Gener- al Assembly, consolidation of the New York 6 New Haven and the Hartford 6 New Hav- en railroads was effected. Control was early obtained of the Shore Line route. Then came the defeat of all the Parallel projects; and, with them, of all chance of effective competi- tion. The Housatonic and the Naugatuck are mere subordinate branches, and the Hartford, Providence 6 Fishkill has hitherto been too poor to compete to any purpose with the mo- nopoly. Last of all comes news of the ap- preaching absorption of the Air Line by the boa constrictor into whose jaws every Con- necticut railroad seems destined to fall sooner or later.
 Indeed, before his recent resignation, Presi- dent Bishop was the railroad system of Con- necticut. Boards of railroad commissioners and legislative committees were organized in his interest Legislation was shaped at his dictation. In some respects, no doubt, this uni versal consolidation of railroad interests has been benefit to the public. The only danger ic nlo fho the law. Says Commissioner Adams of Mas sachusetts, ''In dealing with railroads as be- tween railroads and individuals, it is futile to talk about laws, declaratory and penal, and the usual process of the courts. Except in ex- traordinary cases, the remedy through this pre- cess is too slow and too expensive, while the power and wealth of the corporations, as con- pared with individuals, is too great" Who then is to protect the public from this all-pow- erful corporation? Our boards of commission CTS cannot usually be relied upon. Loss of office would be the sure reward of independ ent action on their part. The true corrective must be sought in an aroused public opinion, finding full and fair expression in the legisla-
 
 of the danger from our overgrown railroad monopoly has been obvious of late years from the temper of our House of Representatives. The Senate, on the other hand has always been completely under President Bishops con- control.
 Is there, then, any just occasion for a re- ,luction of fares on the consolidated road? We have been strongly inclined to believe that there is. The price charged per mile over this road is higher it is said, than over other roads doing the same amount of business in other States It is certain that the charges are sui fcient to enable the company to pay large div dends on an inflated stock. If the public is, as we believe unnecessarily burdened for the benefit of stockholders, where, then, is their remedy? There is no hope of effective con- petition The one power that can relieve them is our own General Assembly. No doubt there is danger that legislative interference, once started may go too far; but should the cause of the people be abandoned by their own rep resentatives from doubt of their own wisdom? We are in favor of no extreme or unjust meas ,lres against the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad company, but if abuses, as we might naturally expect, have grown up from their hitherto uncontrolled power, let our General Assemble correct them without fear or favor.