New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-12
IMPORTANT RAILROAD DEAL
PURCHASE OF THE HOUsATONIc LINE.
BOUGHT by THE NEwYoRK, NEw-HAvEN AND
HARTFORD-soME OF THE 1NEvI-
TABLE RESULTS.


HARTFoRD-soME OF THE rNEvI-
TABLE RESULTS
Negotiations which have been going on for
several weeks between parties representing tho
New-York, New-IIavep and Hartford Railroad
Company and the holders of majority Of the
stock Of the Housatonic Railroad Company ter
minated on Friday with the purchase Of the lat
ter, and consequent control of the railroad lines
in Connecticut and Massachusetts, comprising the
HousatOnic system, by the New-York and New.
Haven. The negotiations were carried out by J.
Pierpont Morgan and William Rockefeller in their
own names, but there is no doubt that they were
acting for the New-IIave company, and that their
action will be ratified by the full board, il indeed
it has not been already.
This is the most important railroad deal that
has been consummated in New-England for many
years. 1t not only adds 92 miles to the New.
York and 'New-Haven system: but it strikes .
rather decisive blow in the long contest that has
been carried on with much bitterness and
at great cost to both between that road and the
New-York and New-EngIaad For several years
the New-York and the H,usatonio have been IN
close alliance with each other in mutual hostility
to the NewIIaven road, and have been making
combined effort to procure by legislation and
otherwise a rival through line between Boston
and New-York, which should give the Ncw-Epg-
land on entrance into This city and furnish
new business and increased facilities TO a part
of the Housatonic system The fight over this
question in the Connecticut Legislature of 1889
was one Of the bitterest and most prolonged
ever known. Besides being enormously expen-
sive to both, it was prolific of scandals on both
sides. 1t was with vi,Ny to preventing the re-
currence Of such contest, well as of strength
ening its own position, hat the New-liaven conf
pany some time ago determined to purchase tho
rival property as reasonable terms coulo
be obtained
The IIousatonic main line extends from Bridge
port 10 Pittsield Mass; chusetts, passing through
LenoX, to which point ihe summer travel is large
and profitable, and taking the traffic OF western
Massachusetts to the shore of the Sound whence
1t has heretofore reache this city by water lines.
Under the consolidation. the New-Haven road Will
take this traffic through without transfer. Inc
length of this line is IL miles. In short. In
the system are the Dalbury and Norwalk, 27'
miles the State Line Branch, ii miles; the
Brookield Brandh, IS miles, the Hawleyvllle
Branch, miles; the Ritlgefeld Branch, miles;
and the New-Haven an. Derby, p miles.
The purchasing company acquires also tie very
valuable terminal prope rites pf the Housatonio
ut Bridgeport and the N;ew-Iiaven and Derby at
New-liavcn, and very likely the transaction Will
lead to the purchase Of the Wilson Point property
pany for the transfer of freight to boats The
possession Of thcse prope rites by rival company
has hitherto intrrfered with the plans for four
tracking the main line, and prevented some very
important changes in Isl idgeport and New-ha'en
in the layout" Of the road, and the erection OK
freight and passenger sta tOns and oiice Dudlhgs'
These improvements will soon be made, the four
tracks will be completed for the entire distance
between New-York and New-iiaven, and much
better accommodations for the public Will DO
furnished at Bridgeport a nd Asw>llaSen. .i-s.-~-~
The first and most imp portant cflect.of the con-
,olidation will Le that the travelling public will
he greatly benefited in tc added facilities and bet
fer accommodations that will result from having
the connections of the main line managed by
single corporation and ru ming harmoniousy, with
out clashing OF interests or divided responsibility.
To the purchasing company 1T brings very solid
advantages in relieving it of an annoying IL not
dangerous rivalry and u acing II in an almost I'M
prcqnable position. WiCh the absorption of the
Housatonic system it @ )mes into control OF the
entire railroad mileage of the State OF Connec:
ucut with the exception of the New-lork and
New England and the N,w-lOndon ana Northerns
which is leased to the Vermont Central.
IL not only cripples the fighting capacity OK
the New York and New-England By detaching from
IL n powerful ally. but II goes FAR toward re-
ducinu il to heplcssneSs in the matter OF making
ent through line 10 has bcs so long seeking mat
road will now have only steamboat connection az
Norwich and w-Londoll Ia depend upon as an
independent through line. Whether 1t Will hasen
or delay the ultimate absorption OF the New'
England remains to he Sc m