Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-13
PURCHASE OF THE RUTLAND ROAD
Interview with Col. Cannon Some of the
improvements Contemplated.

improvements Contemplated.
Vice President lie Grand b. Cannon, of
the Delaware and Hudson Canal com
pany was interviewed at the Van Ness
House yesterday in relation to the recent
transfer of the ownership of the Rutland
railroad TO this powerful company, of
which he has been one of the wisest and
most inflsental managers.
Col. Cannon said that AS the existing
lease Of the Rutland road to the Central
Vermont has as yet three years to run, 1t
would be premature to outline any policy
for the road at present. We bought the
road, not out of any rivalry with or hos
tilty to any other road, but because we
believed it Il good investment and advau'
tageous to our present property, aud be-
cause we thought We could buy it cheaper
now than later
In regard to the idea which has been
thrown out that the Delaware and Hud-
son company might withdraw business
from this side of the lake for the benefit
of its New York and Canada line on the
west side Col Cannon intimated that it
was an absurd suggestion. The company
had bought the Rutland road to use, ana
there could be no possible inducement to
direct traffic naturally belonging to one OF
its lines to any other. 1t Is an OBJECT 10
us, OF course, TO SECURE freightS roth ways
over our roads, On the west side our cars
come up loaded with coal which is our
great interest, and return loaded with iron
ore. So on this side 1t viii equally be for
our interest to secure return frelghts, for
the cars which come here. Our interest
aud desire vii be to develop business all
along the line, and 1t will not take people
long, after it comes into our hands, TO dis
cover the difference between running
.tih In "a ha nj n n
Mug it TO make the least of II,
The same policy which bias dotted orr ex
listing roads with prosperous towns VIII
be pursued. Look III the New York and
Canada road on the west shore of Lake
Champlain. Since that was bullt-only
few years ago-stOck holders of our COM
ptny have invested rs individuals more
than $1,000 600 in business enterprises that
are reach. d 10y that road.
"DO You consider that the change will be
advantageous to business at this point p
Glow can it be otherwise? At present
your only outlet to the West Is over the
Grand Trunk. But when the Delaware
aud Hudson lakes control you will have
the benefit of connection with five trunk
lines: tor we connect at Schenectady with
the New York Central, at BtnghamptOn
with the LAckawanna and Erie, and at
Scranton with the great Pennsylvania
system. No other road can offer such ad
on long hsuls Il, ours"
How about the New York and Mon
treal passenger traffic -
80, we'll" replied Mr.. Cannon, Eve
shall offer Just AS good inducements rs we
can for il to pass over our road, and we
think We have a superior line. But the
New York and Montreal passenger bust
ness is of small account. Probably not
more than 20 people a day, on the average,
travel by all the roads between the two
cities. 1t is of small importance to the
road to yet this travel and of no import
ance to he people along the road to see 1t
pass. What the people want is first rate
facilities for their own business. We give
such else " here and shall give them here
and when the Rutland road Is equipped
with iron bridges, improved track and
ample depot and other facilities the pub
lie will see that it has lost nothing by the
transfer of the road to corporation which
is able and willing to give first class equip.
ment and tram service. More than that,
said Col. Cannon 81 do not care to say.