The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-04
WOU[N PIP THE ROAD.
Boston & Albany Official
Talks About the
Lease.

One Of the progressive officials Of the
Boston & Albany railroad said Satur-
day that he would greatly regret see
ing the Boston & Albany pass to the
control CT any company other than the
New York Central He understood that
there was another interest negotiat-
ing for the property and that its offer
was considerably in advance of the one
originally made by the Vanderbilts, but
present indications favored final posses
sion by the Central. He expressed alb
solute faith in President Bliss ability
to make the best possible disposition
of the Boston & Albany road, both as
regards the stockholders interests and
the future of the company's traffic.
With the pending lease ratified and the
Boston & Albany working under the di-
rection Of the Central, increased acti-
witty would be at once apparent in the
movement of through business in the
direction of Boston.
Perhaps the most convincing argu-
ment so far advanced as showing the
value that a lease to the Central car
ries was made by the official in ques-
ton when he referred to the division
of charges on business from the west
coming via the Vanderbilt lines and
turned over at the Albany junction to
the Boston & Albany.
"Our proportion of the rate on chis
traffic" sale he, SIS only 20 per cent. of
the tota, charge from Chicago which
leaves us just cents per 100 pounds on
wheat for export and but 3 3-5 cents
per100 pounds on the prevailing cut rate
on corn, said to be Is cents for haul
of 200 miles 1t is apparent that bust
ness transacted at this extremely small
marsin of profit-if profit there is
would not warrant an expenditure of
say $,000,0 900 for a grain elevator and
other millions for terminal improve
ments, such as the elimination of grade
crossings i'll East Boston, the construc-
ton of new docks and the repair of old
ones. There is a rapidly growing ne
cessity for all these improvements as
is shown by the constantly increasing
volume of the city's exporting business
But we cannot assume the burden that
these changes would entail, yet they
should be made as soon as possible, and
the most direct means to that end IS
the control of the Boston e Albany by
the Vanderbilt system.
With this western business entirely
in the hands of the New York Central
it could afford to make such terminal
Improvements as our expanding foreign
tial advantages are apparent to the
practical railroad man and must sug-
gest themselves to every one who has
given attention to the subject.
1t was learned from another source
that the negotiations between the saw
ing committee and Mr. William X
Vanderbilt were progressing favorably
and that definite understanding would
be reached within the next 10 or IL
days. The correspondence had already
volur7inous proportions. The active
members Of the committee are quite
hopeful Of the success of their propo-
sition. ana the belief is expressed that
before the meeting of the stockholders
takes place notice of a complete acqui-
esceEce n the terms that the commit
tee stand for will be received. It is ar
gued that the Vanderbilts- have made
up their mind to secure control Of
Boston outlet for their export business
and that they will overcome all barriers
TO that end.