Morning journal and courier., 1882-02-25
The Proposed "Bee Line. -

y
,erday afternoon. The hearing commenced
IN the morning at 10 O'Clock.
The first witness called was Town Agent
Reynolds, of New Haven, who testified in |
substance as follows: Of the seven mem
bers of the Board of Selectmen five are in |
favor of Parallel railroad -four besides my
self; they fairly represent the sentiment of
the people; the town of New Haven has been |
in favor of additional railroad facilities the |
town is bonded to-day for 100000 for the
Air Line railroad; the general sentiment of
the town is in favor of Parallel road.
To S. e. Baldwin-Have talked with my
son-in-law, Patrick O'Connor, who is man
aging my business; can't say that I have
made it the subject of special conversation
with anyone the names of the four other
selectmen are Louis Feldman, E. N. Cooper,
E. Fl. Sperry and E. B. Beecher; Feldman
has no business at present, Cooper is q manu-
facturer at Madison, Sperry is mason and
builder and Beecher is a manufacturer at
Westvllle have not heard how this road is
to be built, except what have read in the
newspapers a trestlework is not desirable
running through New Haven; as first select
man I would not favor this trestlework
pLOpcA1y SudIuCu do OGuCI IdllEOduS WOulA
be in favor of running the tracks at grade;
there is a difference of opinion in regard to
the grade of the Derby road at Water street;
I am not fully advised as to the details of the
crossing at grade; could not answer intelli-
gently as to whether the land damages would
be less than $3.50, 600; if this proposed road
was absorbed by the other roads it would be
of no benefit to the people past experience
has demonstrated that absorption has been
the rule, and it would likely be the same.
with this proposed road unless it was prop
erly guarded by the Legislature; have no
interest pecrniarily or personally in this
matter.
Hon. George NJ Landers testified that he
had resided in New Britain fifty years; the
railroad facilities are from a branch of the
Consolidated road and the New York and
New England road have thirteen or four
teen trains daily-enough to get out of town
with; our freights last year were s, 800 tons,
for which we paid $40, 900 to the CONSOLIDATE
ed road, and So 900 to the New York and
New England have no difficulty in receiving
freight; the freights sent out are delivered
promptly to our consignees; freights have
been modified within a year past; freights
are as reasonable as to other points ), the
rates from New Haven to New Britain are
81. 20 per gross ton for coal; where the rail
roads in this State are run like the Connect
cut Western and Fishkill that do not pay the
stockholders and bondholders anything, they
are looked upon as fools; where they are run
like the Consolidated road and pay interest
on the stock, they are called monopolists.
To Mr.. Kellogg-Have never heard of any
other route proposed to connect with the
Valley road j., two roads to New Britain
would be better for the manufacturers in
stead of the Consolidated road and the New
England road being separate and distinct,
they appear to weld have had nothing to do
with the active management of our concern
for five years.
To Mr.. Harrison-Think the Valley road
and Connecticut Western has been detri-
ment instead eff benefit to the people, from
the fact that the people of the towns have
paid more money than they have received
benefits.
Charles P. Clark, second vice president of
the Consolidated road, testified that he was
for nine or ten years the manager of the
Boston, Hartford and Erie and the New
York and New England road; since October
l, 1881, have given my whole time to the
road; the Connecticut Western has connec-
tions with the river and to the river with the
New York Central at two Or three different
points for ten years the Connecticut West
ern has had a connection, with the Wander
bilt interest on the west and the roads on the
east. I don't know why railroad construct
ed from New York to New Haven is needed
had the most fearful competition that has
been in Massachusetts for years. The war
has been waged until one road has been
ruined. While believe in regulation, do
not believe in competition. I cannot see
how communities are to be benefited by the
proposed new road when a road already built
is able to do all the work that is required of
them. I think our road is able to do double
the work it is doing at present, and if it in
creases beyond that then two extra tracks
can be laid.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The committee convened in the afternoon
at 2:15 o'clock.
The first witness called was Francis FL.
Dewey, president of the Norwich and Wor-
cester railroad. He said he had been con-
nected with the road 20 OR 25 years. am
connected with one of the largest manufac-
turing establishments in Worcester I know
that the stock of the Norwich and Worcester
railroad went down to SIS per, share at one
time. At this time it was controlled by
brokers in Wall street. The stockholders
have never received over or per cent. on
theirsoutlay. There is comparatively small
amount of freight that goes from Norwich to
Boston by rail. It does not exceed $3.50, 900
per annum. There is no complaint, so far as
[ know, that there are not sufficient facilities
between Norwich and Boston for freight and
passengers. There would not, in my opin-
ion be any reduction in freight or passenger
charges were another road built from Nor
witch to Boston. think it would rather tend
to increase the cost.
F. B. Northam, of Middle Haddam, was
called. He said he had been engaged in
shipping by the Connecticut river, princi-
| paly by sailing craft, from 100 to $50 tons
burthen. He said it would be great damage
| to sailing vessels to build another bridge
across the Connecticut river to accommodate
| the proposed new Air Line road. He said
the present bridges had very much inter
| fered with sailing vessels, SO that barges or
| ''boxes" were now used for the transporta-
ton of coal. He said he had to pay captains
of vessels IS extra for towing through a
draw.
Judge Harrison said that he expected that
William D. Bishop and one other witness
| would be here to testify to-day, but they were
out of the State and could not reach here un-
til next week. He had no objection to the
other side putting in their rebuttal provided
he could put in the evidence of Mr.. Bishop
and one other witness afterward.
General Kellogg said he objected to the
respondents putting in any more direct evil
dence after the rebuttal. His side was ready
to rest the case here and now.
The committee retired for consideration,
and after being absent few minutes re-
| turned, and through Judge Gillette stated
1 oAAAe oAAo SoAAi1ii1pOO h10 dAAcduy S1fSu A1uCn
time to this case, and they thought all evil
dence should be put in this afternoon. A
time for arguments would be assigned here
after
Witnesses in rebuttal were then called.
| The first was Arthur w. ParmeIee, of New
Haven, who is connected with Sargent &
| Co. To a. question whether he knew if
people complained in regard to facilities of
| the New York road for transporting pur-
poses, Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Watrous OBJ
| jected on the ground that it was no reply to
| the defense in any way, and that if This ques.
ton was again gone into the case would last
| at least week longer.
The committee ruled that the petitioners
might inquire as to the general sentiment for
| new road
| Witness proceeded There is general
sentiment, in New Haven especially that
another road is needed between New Haven
and New York.
| L. B. Human, of New Haven, real estate
dealer, said he did not know of a man in New
Haven who was opposed to Parallel road
between New York and New Haven. He
thought they were generally in favor of it.
| On the cross examination Mr.. Hinman said
he had heard N. W. Merwin, Mr.. Hine and
others speak in favor of the Parallel road.
Mr.. Watrous asked witness if he had heard
anyone speak in favor of this present pro-
| posed charter.
Witness replied that he had heard Mr.
| Bishop, a lawyer, speak in favor of it.