The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-09
TALK WITH PRES. BLISS.
Disposes of Report Affect
ing Boston q Albany
Railroad.

AS the time approaches for holding
the meeting of the Boston and Albany
stockholders, interest in it's action on
the proposed lease of the property to
the New York Central and Hudson
River Railroad company increases. The
date is Dec. 81, and the place Terminal
hall, in the head house of the new
South station.
When the last meeting of the stock
holders adjourned, it was foreshadowed
by the changes effected in the person
mel of the directorate that peace had
been established between the protective
committee and the minority holding
and that the contemplated merger was
in fair way to ultimate acceptance.
Since then all the indications point in
the same direction. The offer of the
Central to add 1,500 600 to tbs first bid
proved a potent element in smoothing
the way to an agreeable understand
ing on the part of both boards, and all
that now remains to be done is to OBJ
tain the consent of the stockholders
and the approval of the Legislature of
Massachusetts,.
Following the report that all differ
ences between the stockholders had
been adjusted, came a flood of conjec-
lures regarding certain physical
changes in the leased property that
We're likely to follow its management
by the Vanderbilt interests. One of
these was fanciful screed that dealt
with the local company's East Boston
terminal. 1t outlined an elaborate plan
for the erection of two mammoth ele-
Yators and other improvements involv-
ing the expenditure of millions of dol
lars. Other equally sensational state
ments were made, in W hich it was
claimed that there was a strong prob
ability that East Boston would be
abandoned altogether and branch line
built from Cottage Farm to the new
docks now building in South Boston,
and that this section, under the in
creased business that would be brought
mere by the Central, would become one
of the busiest seaport outlets on the
entire stretch of the Atlantic coast.
In order to determine Just what
foundation the authors of these highly
colored reports had for making them,
and also to learn the exact status of
the pending lease, President Bliss was
lnterrogated on the various points
above alluded to.
First, he was asked as to the outlook
of the absorption proposition. and he
replied that everything was excep-
tlonally bright, and that there was no
DOUBT whatever of the final consumma-
tlon OF the lease. While it could not
De sald that its acceptance would be
unanimous, yet the opposition would be
OF so trifling a nature that no appre-
hension of the result was for a moment
entertained. He had learned that there
We're a few small holders who had de-
clded views against the transfer of
tne road TO the Vanderbilts. and that
they would probably make their pres
ence known at the December meeting
Ihis was their right, but their obiec-
tlons would be futile and without an
preclable weight with the majority
inc directors of both roads. he said
mad tully agreed on the amended terms
ana they We're now in the hands of fine
stockholders. - '--e
IN referring to the spirit in which the
ease would be received by the legisIa-
sure, PRESIDENT Bliss was sanguine of
go aple actlon. 1t was expected, how
eFer' that show of opposition would
De MADE by those who go on the prin
clPle that any form of legislation in
FolVlng heavy financial transaction
should yield something on the outside
Another element, he said. that will
PROBABLY oppose the carrying out of the
transfer Is the one that can ALWAYS he
iouno arrayed against any proposition
designed for the benefit of Boston. II
Is singular that this should be so but
| II mas always been one of the character
IstIcs Oh certain of the Massachusetts
lawmakers, and this in face of the fact
that Boston contributes about one-urar-
Ter OF the taxes that go to maintain
the entire state government, The oh
stlnate interference by these members
IN all matters affecting the commercial
CROWN OF Boston is hard to account for
unless 1t can be reasoned out on the
basis of unfortunate limitations,
| Next, President Bliss was asked tc
give MS Views on the numerous extra.
ordinary statements that have from
tlne TO time found their way into the
newspapers concerning the building of 3
@,OOO,000 elevator in East Boston bv the
Central and other equally exciting re.
ports on the expansion of the facilities
Tor the handling of export traffic alone
| the water front of the island ward.
Ihere was a broad smile upon the
presidents face when he ran over in
his mind the long list of terminal fea-
lures that fancy had arranged to have
built
There is absolutely no truth in any
OF these stories, was the emphatic and
convincing reply. Continuing, he said
All of these reports purporting to give
an outline Of what the Central has un-
der contemplation in respect to the East
Boston holdings of our road are posi-
lively Yalueless, and have no other
foundation that the Imagination of the
parties that concocted them"
President Bliss attention was Their
called to the rumor that his road was
considering proposition to abandon its
single line to East Boston, and con
struct one from Cottage Farm down tc
the South Boston docks, now building
by the state
Put this down in the same category. -
was the response. I'VE have no idea OF
giving up our East Boston property;
the matter has never been alluded tc
and it is piece of the fabric that fancy
has been weaving ever since it was
known that the two companies favored
a unification of interests. Why, it would
take S50O0,000 to replace what we own
in East Boston, to say nothing of the
yeXatious interruptions in our business
that a change of the character indicat-
ed would entail. We will stay where we
are for many years to come"
THE CHICAGO MARKET.