The Newtown bee., 1892-01-22
The Consolidated's Stock Grab.

It is hardly two years since, in my own road, otherwise known as the New York & New Haven railroad company, secur- ed, according to common report, the enactment of legislation enabling it to increase it's capital stock, by means of the most unblushing bribery, in which farmer legislators were bought like so many cattle. It is only little over three years since that I was made to know by bitter experience the power of a railroad manager. In the Spring of 1888, two pa per mills in Connecticut failed and was invited to settle their business. On look ing about to discover the causes of the disaster, found, among other things, the freight rates from these mills were some 20 per cent. higher than the rates of their competitors similarly situated as to distance from the principal market and all located on lines of the New York 6 New Haven railroad system. As soon as 1 discovered this fact, 1 went to the gen. eral freight agent of that corporation and
 
 1 attempted to convince him that to charge manufacturers along the line of the New Haven < Northampton branch 20 per cent. more than was charged to manufacturers similarly located on other branches of his system was discrimi- nation which, if continued, would sooner or later ruin the entire manufacturing in- terests of that road l showed him how, under the existing system, manufactur- CTS were forsaking the interior of the State and seeking the seaboard in order that they might in some measure be in- dependent of the railroads, but l might have as well addressed myself to the king of the Cannibal Islands. The railroad the people along the line in very much the same light as cannibals regard their victims. One of the directors of the com pany informed me that my mills were very unfortunately situated. That was only too evident. I knew full we'll that the very first question put to me by any party coming to examine the property would be, "What are your freights?' It became my duty, therefore, to do all in my power to free these mills from the vinced that could gain nothing by per sonal effort with the company, 1 deter mined to bring the power of public opin- ion to my assistance. Reporters were sent to interview the manufacturers along the line of the New Haven & Northampton branch and from one and all, l think, without exception, came statements to the effect that the policy of the railroad company was ruinous to their interests.
 On Fast day, 1888 Gan appropriate day and time for such meeting), these man. ufacturers came together in New Haven to consider the situation. Prof A. T. Hadley, one of the leading authorities in the country on railroad questions, was present and assured us that we had good case to bring before the interstate commerce commission. But, preferring a more peaceable course, we appointed a committee to confer with the officers of the railroad. This committee had sever al conferences with the railroad officials, but with small results, until the time came when the stock legislation to which l have referred was needed. Then, the chairman of the manufacturers commit tee gave the railroad company to under stand that the bill to increase it's capital stock would be very unfortunately situ- ated before the Connecticut Legislature unless the people along the line of the New Haven & Northampton road were granted their just demands. Under'such pressure, the company yielded and it has, am sure, been equally benefited with the people by the enforced conces- sion.-[ James L. Cowles in Railway Re- view.