Connecticut western news., 1888-06-13

fOuSnkeepSle N Eastern rOad It WaS the night of folly to refuse such an offer. Be that as it may, his refusal to sell the "streak of rust" apparently will not prevent the Hartford X Connecticut Western railroad from reaching either Springfield or the Poughkeepsie Bridge, neither will it prevent the people of Berkshire county from being splendidly served ty the Housatonic railroad company, who are running their trains with a view to accommodate not only the present, but the increasing freight and passenger traffic of Berkshire county.
 Work has already been commenced on the western extension of the H. & 0. W. road. The Poughkeepsie Eagle of June 9th says:
 "Surveys wore made several months ago and maps filed from here to Silver nails Bridge. which is point on the H & O. w. road short distance east of Jackson Corners, and just over the line in Columbia county. On Saturday the talk eliminated in action, and ground was broken and work begun on this line. A portion of the right of way had been secured, and a gang of men started in the rock cutting on land of Benj. L. Wood. in the town of Poughkeepsie, adjoining what is known as the north line of approach of the Bridge Go. The location of the new railroad has been So changed as to keep on the west and north of the N. Y. and Mass. till 1t reaches point between Pleasant Valley and Salt Point, thus avoiding two cross ings which were originally contempla- ted. It is expected to follow up the beginning thus made vigorously, and to complete the road during the present season, and if possible in time to meet the business that will come over the Bridge when it is opened. Since break ing ground on the eastern connection operations have been going steadily on. A gang of about fifty men IS now enga- ged on that portion of the line, and "On to Silvernails Bridge p is the cry, and progress will be made toward that point with all possible dispatch.
 After reading the foregoing quotation from the Poughkeepsie Eagle we natur- ally inquire, what does Mir Cone hold the key to !? Evidently not the Pough- keepsie bridge, otherwise the H. & O. w. road would not build an extension from Silvernail's Bridge to the Pough- keepsie bridge. We doubt if he holds a key that will unlock the pocket books of level headed capitalists and induce them to invest in railroad to be built parallel to and midway between the Boston & Albany road and the H. & c. w. road, especially when said roads are only 27 miles apart where they cross the Harlem valley 37 miles apart where they cross the Housatonic valley 1Sa miles apart where they cross the Pennington valley, and then unite at Springfield. Furthermore, an intersect. ing or connecting road runs through each of said valleys at right angles to said parallel roads. In fact the N. Y. O. < H. R. road connects Poughkeep- sic and Rhinebeck with Hudson and Albany; the Harlem road connects Boston Corners with Chatham the Housatonic road connects Canaan with Pitts6eld the New Haven X North hampton road connects Simsbury with Westfeld, and the Consolidated road connects Hartford with Springfield.
 Look at the history of the Connecti- cut Western road, built in 1871, and running through not only rich farm. ing country, but through the Salisbury iron region, also the marble and lime region of Canaan, and such large manu featuring places as Norfolk, Winsted, New Hartford, Collinsville, Tarifville and terminating at the busy mercantile and manufacturing city of Hartford Then also remember that a number o manufacturing places like Colebrooh River and Riverton furnished large freight and passenger traffic in addition to the amount furnished by the town! on the direct line of said road. Also remember that in 1871 the Connection Western was the only east and wes railroad in the state except the Shor Line road, yet look at the amount o money that has been sunk in the Conn
 Western road. The road has had
 checkered career. Part of the time has been run by the bondholders. Par of the time 1t has been in the hands o a receiver. The road has been reorgs nized several times, the original stoc
 wiped out, the bonds scaled down unti the present owners have a prospect o getting some return for their recen investment. Also remember that sine the Conn Western was built, the Ne,
 England road have completed their lin
 to the Hudson river, and of course the
 get their share of the freight comin
 into New England. In the face of al
 these facts Is it reasonable to expec that another parallel railroad would
 a good investment, especially anothe
 east and west railroad in Berkshir county, where the cost of constructin l railroad Is immense, and where tn amount of freight or passenger traffi 5 that could be diverted from the Hous, } tonic road is very limited We migf t add that since the Conn. Western roa '. was built in 1871 the Hoosac tunnel hs been completed, and thus another con 3 peting line in addition to those abo1 : mentioned is in operation.
 t Does any sensible man believe tn 3 the proposed New York and Massach, g setts road through Berkshire count 8 would be good investment
 ON TO CHICAGO.