Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-02-06
THE HoUsATONIC INCREASE.

ho INSINE-1ASIs
 Owing to the sickness of Senator Gra ham there is a continued interruption of the legislative committee hearing of the Housatonic railroads petition for power to increase its capital stock. And owing to the unexpected opposition raised by the Consolidated railroad, which is itself petitioner for similar power, compli- cations have arisen that throw serious difficulties in the way of the Housatonic attaining its purpose. Nevertheless, we think there should be no disposition to hamper the road in its projects of i'm provement and enlargement which seem calculated to benefit the travelling and freighting public.
 When this matter was first brought to the attention of the legislature the DEM oCRAT took the ground that it was the duty of our legislators to assist in every legitimate way in the enlargement, i'm provement and development of both the Consolidated and Housatonic railroad systems. We have seen no reason since to modify our position, and we believe it would be a serious mistake to hamper either or both of the roads in their en- terprises. Both are of great advantage to the state as direct taxpayers to its treasury as well as agencies of employment to hundreds of its citizens. Whatever, therefore, is of benefit to the roads must of necessity rebound to the advantage of the state. And it is for this reason that we deprecate the oppo-, sition that has been raised and that seeks to defeat the projected increase of capital stock by the Housatonic. Ac- cording to the report of the railroad commissioners in reference to the roads petition, the improvements and pur- chases contemplated by the Housatonic demand S4,50O,0O0, and the amount of increase desired has been specifically stated by the management. The total capital of the leased roads now held by the Housatonic is S2, ,50S,05 This is not very large amount surely, and any in- crease that would tend to make travel cheaper and more comfortable and | freighting advantages more thorough and economical ought not to be denied by legislators who have at heart the inter- ests of the public and of the state. Nor do we think it will be. The improvements and enlarge ments proposed by the Housatonic will furnish employment for many men, they will provide better facilities for travellers and freighters, will tend to build up the towns along the lines of the system, will bring in more taxes to the treasury of the state, and so conduce to the prosperity and growth of the com monwealth. In so far certainly as ap- pears from the public mind as already indicated in the premises, there appears to be very general impression that it would be wise policy to grant the peti- ton of the Housatonic road. Whatever opposition there may be to the proposed increase of stock ,or on whatever grounds the opposition may be based, it does not seem likely that the general public will be disposed to stand in the way of the increase. Nor does it appear probable either that the people of the state will endorse any opposition that may be based on grounds other than the promo ton of the public welfare.
 We hope to see wise, liberal and progressive policy pursued in re- gard to the Housatonic as well as the Consolidated railroad. Any other policy would be discreditable to our legislators and detrimental to the interests which their oath of office binds them to conserve. The DEMOCRAT is a thorough believer in broad policy that will insure the healthy development of our railroads, and it believes that the proposed increase of capital stock will enable the Housatonic road to accom-. plish projects that must conduce eventually to its own sound develop. ment and the welfare of the state tc which it owes it's franchises and priv. ileges. It is for this reason we hope te see the committee having the matter in charge animated by friendly spirit and the legislature when it comes up fo1 final settlement disposed unselfshly to grant privilege that seems fraught with I z