The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-27
The READING COMBINE.
How it Will Affect Providence Ship
ping Interests.
WHAT BUSINESS MEN SAY.
Providence at the Mercy of the Railroads
Delays I'm shipments-Business De-
pressed--The Outlook Discouraging to
Some OF the business Men.

The deal announced Yesterday between
the Reading. the Boston and Maine and
the New York aud New England rail
roads has created considerable specula-
tion In this oity as to the effect Of its
contamination on PROVIDENCE and her
industries.
The absorption OF n majority of the
New York and New England stock by the
Reading system in order to control this
road. which is considered an excellent
connecting link betw cen the two large
corporations. has also been subject of
consideration.
The consensus of opinion TO-DAY among
railroad and business men, whose ship
ments OF freight are very large, was that
but little could he done by PROVIDENCE
towards diverting TO this city any of the
vast quantities OF coal aud grain which
will be brought TO and shipped from Bos-
ton by this new and formidable combine
The assertion was made and elaborated
by more than one Of the gentlemen inter
viewed that PROVIDENCE is completely at
the mercy of the various railroad com
bines and must await their pleasure,
Long before the NEws was estab-
lisbed, short sighted newspapers here
abouts," said one of these gentlemen.
aided aud counselled this city to give
away iishbSt WHlCu ndFt now
relegated her to the background, without
tie least ray OF hope from the deal re-
Gently effected, or any other deal in pros
pect."
PROVIDENCE. through this i'll advised
policy, has become no more than way
station on "A through line. Every ad-
vantage she once possessed has been lost
by allowing the consolidation of the
PROVIDENCE and Boston with Old
Colony. the New York, PROVIDENCE and
Boston with the New York, New Haven
and Hartford, and the absorption of th
PROVIDENCE and Worcester by the New
York, New HaNel and Hartford We
have not "A single road entering CHS CITY
with the name PROVIDENCE connected
with It, The consolidation announced
yesterday was in the interest Of Bostou's
trade.
The West has been buying to prevent
consultations, aud we In the East are
bringing them about. In the war OF 1912
this harbor sent out more privateers than
all the other ports of the country com
bined. Our shipping interests were
great. All of the fortunes of the olden
families here were built upon shipping.
Manufactures were tnaugurated, and
killed our shipping interests, when were
acquired and retained by B Jston.
There Is no good reason why PRovI-
DENcE shonld not be a greater shipping
port than Bos IL has a far better
harbor, easier of access by the coastwise
vessels aud closer to the grain and coal
fields of the West Tue trouble is that
vessels cannot get return cargoes from
this port and their owners prefer to send
them To Boston where the railroads CEN
ire, and such cargoes can be secured
Supt Gardiner OF the New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad SAID: Il
don't think the deal will affect PRoyI-
DENCE. i understand that il is traiiic
"a "A Uampnt slmplV TINT 10 ha RaaH-
ing wants TO 90 into Montreal the Bos-
ton ana Name Will accommodate il, |
know OF no way by which the New Eng
land road can enter New York, and do
not know whether this deal has been en-
gineered for the benefit of he New Eng
land or the other roads primarily"
A. B. Pitkin said: The effect of the
consolidation of the roads on PRovIDENcE
remains to be seen. Nobody, except those
directly- interested, knows how much
New England is in the deal. One thing
is certain. The Boston and Maine will
secure direct entrance into this city over
the East Thompson and Pascoag route, a
new line. PROVIDENCE, so far has been
at decided disadvantage with reference to
her railroad connections.
"Do you think freights will be affected?
inquired the NEWS representative. IL
don't see why freignts should go up" he
said. I'VE pay in New Englan higher
rates now than in any other section OF
the country. l eau ship goods to Pnila-
delphia as cheaply "a 1 can To Pittsfeld,
Mass. We are at the mercy OF the rail-
road combinations.
THE delays In freights from this city
are very Injurious To our business inter
ests / have had freight delayed four
Jays between this city and W Worcester,
and To lie here in the depot six days after
the freightage had been psid and been
unable To obtain it. When remons rat
ed l was asked: What are you going 20
do aboutY People living fartaer uoit
will not buy goods here on tnis account.
! have therefore started brancl 81 ore in
Boston because OF these dlsad dvautage,.' y
William ii. Church said: Time alone
will tell the effect oil this com b. nat lou ON
PROVIDENCE. One thing is certain. No
deal VIII be effec el between the Old
Colony 9nd this combination. If the o.
L. H. IL. combines wi.u auy road il viii
be win the New YORK, New Haven anu
Hartford. No deal has been made by the
Old Colony 10 my knowledge and L see
no reason why one should De made
Several other gentlemen declined To
express any opinion as based upon actuat
knowledge OF the situation.