The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-04
CIV EN UP.
Lease of a Central
Vermont Branch.
FITCHBURG SAFE.
Vanderbilt Interests Not
Likely to Seize 1t.

The Norwich and Worcester Railroad
Company has served 30 days notice
on the Central Vermont Railroad
Company that, beginning April l. they
will discontinue the use of the Central
Vermont branch from Norwich to New
London, the use of the Union station
at Norwich and the use of the wharf
property in New London.
The Norwich and Worcester has
used that branch ever since their boat
line service between this city and New
York has been established at a rental
OF $4,000 year. Recently the COM
pany has completed construction of a
line of its own from Norwich to Gro
ton, where they connect with the New
York. New Haven and Hartford
through line, and they will begin run
ming over the new branch April /.
j. H. Clarke. one of the directors of
the Norwich and Worcester road, stat
ed to Spy man last evening that.
aside from the saving of the $50, 900 per
annum it would probably result in a
through train from this city to New
York in the very near future.
AT the headquarters Of the company
last evening, one of the officials said
mat orders. had already been sent out
Iof the running of Pullman yesti-
bule from Worcester to New York as
soon as operations are opened on the
new line. The train will be sched-
uled TO leave this city at | d, m. and
arrive in New York at $50 D. m. Re
turning, 1t will leave New York at 1
p. m, and make the run to Worcester
IN four hours and a half.
several days ago it was rumored that
the New York Central was to Law
hands on the Fitchburg. and It has ex.
erclsed the many holders of Fitchburg
STOCK IN Worcester to no little extent.
manufacturing interests here are laso
greatly concerned in the proposition.
But prominent railroad official said
last evening that there was no real
foundation for the story, and that it
was not worthy of serious considera,-
ton. In spite of all that has been said.
the Vanderbilts do not want a Boston
outlet, he believed, as their interests
are all centered in New York. He
construed the taking over of the West
Shore by the Central as contemplating
the eventual enlargement of the
freight terminal at Weehaken, N. j.,
and using the absorbed property ex-
clusively as a freight line.
With this view of the situation, he
thought the Fitchburg was a long way
from the clutch of the Vanderbilt in
terests
The possibility of absorbing the
Fitchburg was deducted from the ac-
tlvity of the Vanderbilt interests in
and about a Northern Vermont, but
the far-seeing have reached quite a
different conclusion They argue that
the New York Central having been
more or less annoyed by the COMPETE
ton of the lines recently absorbed, is
simply carrying out a scheme for it's
own protection. 1t is admitted how
ever, that these great railroad mag
mates could, if they were so disposed,
give the exporting business of this
section a severe wrench, as their lines
have been closely woven about the
western terminals of the local roads,
the Boston and Maine excepted. 1t is
humilating to railroad pride here
abouts to be compelled to acknowledge
this, but the railroad people here are
themselves to blame.
With a better reading of the future
and greater interest in their own well
fare they might now be in control of
a direct line to the very heart OF the
great grain producing belts of the west
and northwest. Fortunately this Sec
ton of New England is not entirely
bottled up and never will be as long as
the Grand Trunk, the Canadian Pacific
and the Canada and Atlantic maintain
their present corporate independence.