The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-01-10
REACHING OUT FOR RAILROADS

NEW YORK, Jan. 4.-Ihe reported
agreement between the directors of
the Boston and Maine and the direct
ors of the Fitchburg railroads by which
the Fitchburg is TO be leased to the
first named road, is credited among
local roilroad men. 1t is recognized
that union between these roads will
be mutually advantageous al hough the
newly formed system would be brou hit
in sharp competition with the Boston
and Albany and the Vanderbilt inter
ests. The Fitchburg has traffic ar
rangements with the Grand Trunk and
also the Erie. The Boston and Maine
has hitherto been an ally of the Cana.
dian Pacific but there are likewise close
relations between the New York Cen
trail and the Canadian Pacific.
The strength shown in New York
Central in Wall street to-day caused
rumors that a great combination had
been effected by which the Wander
blts would control the New England
situation. 1t was pointed out that DR..
w. Seward Webb being an influential
stakeholder and director of the Fitch
burg was in position to prevent any
diversion OF that property detrimental
to the interests of the Vanderbilts.
A despatch from Boston says the
contest for the control of the Fitchburg
railroad property is becoming sharp
and exciting. The Vanderbits want
the road, for it is of the greatest value
to them if the scheme of a great trunk
line to the west via the Rutland rail-
road is to be carried out, and the Bos-
ton and Maine people here very recent
ly discovered that its acquisition is nee
essary for the protection of their inter
ests which are threatened bv the inva-
sion of the Vanderbilt's into New Eng.
land territory.
| 1t is easy to foresee what would hap
pen to the Boston and Maine if another
railroad were able to en- r Boston and
haul freight here over western and
northern connections which could give
cheaper rates and better service than
the Boston and Maine is now able to
obtain from its northern feeders. A
large part of the income of the Boston
and Maine would at once be cut off
and that is what is more than likely to
happen unless the Fitchburg passed
into the control of the Boston and
Maine.
DR.. w. Seward Webb of the Wander
bit family, who controls the Rutland
railroad, knows this as we'll as the Bos-
ton Il Maine management. 1t has
been evident for some time that he in
tended to make the Rutland much more
than local Vermont railroad. His
intention is to develop it into a great
fret ght and passenger line to the West
in connection with the Ogdensburg and
Lake Champlain road and line of
steamers which traverse the Great
Lakes and carry freight from the rail.
road directly into Chicago. This line
will be much shorter than any of those
with which the Boston & Maine has, OF
can make connections, and will be also
materially cheaper on account OF the
long water haul by The new route. In
addition the splendid terminal facili
ties of the Fitchburg in this city should
not be forgo ten. The promoters oil
the new trunk lines have not overlook
ed any of these things. They see thai
the key in the whole situation is thu
Fitchburg railroad. 1t must be con
trolled by the Rutland il DR.. Webb il
TO carry out his scheme. For th'
Fitchburg offers the Rutland The only
possible means of entry into Boston
Not only DR.. Webb but Boston &
Maine tfiicials know this fact.
If it is important for the Rutland Il
obtain control of the Fitchburg for tn,
development of the new line, it i
absolutely necessary for the Boston ant
Maine II it wishes to do any western
through business TO prevent an alliance
between the Rutland aud the Fitch
burg. That is the real reason Tor tn
attempt of the Boston aud Maine t,
lease the Fitchburg. That is why tn
Ftchburg can hold out for five pc
cent perhaps for Fix per cent lease
Its lines are very much in demand.