Morning journal and courier., 1881-11-11
The Raiirond Interests of the State.

President Watrous, of the Consolidated road, has sent communication to the West Stratford Court of Burgesses, stating that the railroad company is anxious to have the Prospect street bridge completed soon as possible The court last evening appointed a committee to confer with the Selectmen and the railroad officials in regard to going on with the bridge.
 President Watrous says the idea of leasing the Consolidated road has not been enter tained by the management. The road could not afford lease at less than the present earnings, 10 per cent, which would involve the payment of million and half year. It was doubtful if the New York and New England railroad cou1d in it's present condi- ton, guarantee any such sum. But suppose a thoroughly responsible company like the Boston and Albany were to come forward and offer us 10 per cent. for lease and we ac cepted it. If they could not afford to pay that million and half of dollars they would run our road as long as they couldBand then they would refuse to pay, and would throw the road back on our hands, degraded, run down and unprofitabIe. They would have to do that, for their stockholders would not consent to pay out money to keep our road running.
 Yes, we could bring suit to recover dam ages, but I'm afraid that is all it would amount to. The matter could be made to drag along for years in the courts without settlement. But if lessee could pay us 10 per cent. for it, that's no better than we can do for ourselves, so I guess we'll keep it. As to Vanderbilt's being in dead earnest about building a parallel road MT. W. thought it improb- l. xv1ll if it were flea bite to suffer depreciation of his $ I5O, 900 stock in the Consolidated l talked with him few days ago and he said nothing about building new road. MT Vanderbilt you know, is troubled because we take Pennsylvania road freight that he would like to have go over the Central and Boston and Albany roads. If we refused to bring this western freight into New England, it would all come over his road and the Bos= ton and Albany and the rates could be placed at any figure We take these long trains of oats and grain and beef from the West and run them clear through from New York to Boston. They are through trains, do not put us to much expense to handle. and we can make low rates for shippers-lower than the Vanderbilt road. If we agreed to put up rates and let MT. Vanderbilt control all the western freights coming into New England, what would people say And our stockhold- CTS would have ample reason for complaint T, dent it was because there was so much work that more help was required.
 THE DAEBURY AND NoRwALK RAILROAD.
 The Danbury Neacs prints the following concerning the Danbury and Norwalk and New York, New Haven and Hartford roads, President Watrous, Charles L. Clark, gem eral manager. and Directors Bishop, Wheeler and Trowbridge, of the New York, New Ha- ven and Hartford railway, were in town last week inspecting the Danbury and Norwalk latter road is one of the best feeders the New Haven road has. in proportion to it's length, and in view of the fact that the Danbury and Norwalk road contemplate extending their track to Wilson's Point, on the Sound ana running line of boats to New York the year round, whereby the New Haven road would lose the freight traffic, it is quite evident that President Watrous is anxious to obtaln control of it.
 HEARING IN BRIDGEPORT.
 The adjourned hearing in the appeals of the HousatoRic and New York, New Haven and Hartford railroads from the report of the appraisers of benefits and damages on the Wall street extension will be resumed at ten o'clock this morning in the City Court room before Hon. Luzon B. Morris of New Haven, who is sitting as 8 committee of the Superior Court.
 THE sHEPAUG HEARD FROM. : It was reported to-day in local financial circles that the Shepaug road had reconsid- | cred it's determination not to lease the 1 New York, New Haven and Hartford and would also take in the Boston and Albany | and the New York Central.-BrSdgepoT |