The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-17
THE OLD COLONY.
How Soon Will the Consoiidat ed Abb
sorb IL Into It's system?
ESPECIAL TO THE NEws.I

ESPECIAL TO THE NEws.I
Boston, Dec. 1.-THE announcement OF
the checkmate shat the Boston and
Maine has secured against the Consoli-
dated in the matter OF the Connecticut
river road, has set aflost more talk about
the absorption of the Old Colony by the
Como slidated.
There can be no doubt that the Old
Colony is at present open TO neg citations
from the New York, New Haven aud
Hartford The relations existing betwee n
the two have been steadily growing
closer. The connection between the two
through the use of the Shore Lii ne is
probably more intimate than that be-
tween any two independent lines in the
country.
The son OF the president of the New
York. New Haven and Hartford has
lately been appointed to a responsible
position on the Old Colony. and 1t is sur
missed that this Is n preliminary step TO
closer relations. These facUs are signifi-
cant when the relations Of toe New York,
New Haven aud Hartford with the
New York and New England are consid-
cred. Either the Old Colony or the New
York and New England will ultimately
furnish it with It's Boston terminals. 1t
has been able at any time TO buy control
OF the New York and New Englan for
s., ,000, 900. but has neglected to do so. 1t
seems pretty safe now to say that the
New York aud New England will never
fall into the hands of the Connec-
ticut corporation except, possibly, by
foreclosure on the second mortgage
bonds, of which the New York,
New Haven and Hartford people own the
larger part. These people evidently do
not care for the property on any, other
terms. BY acquiring the Old Colony, the
New York, New Haven and Hartford
would obtain one of the most profitable
pieces of railro al property in the country,
whereas the New York and New Eng
land would for long time be drain
upon 1t.
Very few persons appreciate the great
earning capacity OF the Old Colony. The
Sound business is a source of great profit.
and is enabling the Old Colony 70 spend
a great deal of money on improvements.
The Boston and Albany Company has a
line surveyed to Fall River, aud contem-
plates, If the Old Colony invades its ter
ritory, to put on line or boats on the
Sound This IS not mere idle threat
but the company stands ready. in the con
tingency mentioned, TO actually carry
out this policy.
rhe New York, New Haven & Hartford
has now its own liue u within about II
miles OF Boston, aud the Old Colony Is
its natural connection at les eastern ter
minus
1t is too early to say what part the Bos-
ton & Albany will play in the future
railroad consultations in southern New
England. Its relations are at present
very close with the New York, New
Haven & Hartford. The fact, however,
remains that the Old Colony presents
superior advantages TO the New Haven
people. IL gives the New York, New
Haven & Hartford much longer au
over its own line than the Boston q
Albany allows il.
The distance from Boston to Provi denc,
is about A miles, whereas from Boston
To Springfield il Is about 30 miles. Ther
the heavy grades on the Boston and AL
bany work TO the advantage of the Ole
| Colony as the eastern end of the New
York, New Haven and Hartford.