New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-28
OPPOSED LEASE TO B. AND N. R. r..
DR. w. SEWARD WEBB SAID THAT HE
MADE NO OFFER FOR FIrcHBURG.

Dr. w. Seward Webb. who is a F1tchburg Rail-
road director, in Boston on Wednesday and
made the following statement on the railroad sit
uatton before the announcement of the action of
the Governor and Council In respect to the Fitch
burg stock:
l notice that the statement has been made many
times In newspapers by Boston and Maine officials
that If the Boston and Maine should lease the
ened. In view of the actual condition Of things
for the as es has s p BY cent e9 Of
the gross export business from the Port Of Boston
by reason of any close arrangement with its West
SF b b Connections In other words has not been
GI re business has been given to the Ftchburg is en-
i ,ne west cheapeT than any other road nay
ing an entrance into Boston. and by reason of Its
that freight with greater facility. The Boston
ana Maine terminals can never be made available
as good as the Fitchburg's the grades on its line
port would prevent its handling any large amount
~ Mestern business for export in competition with
the titchburg and New-York Central. 1t has gone
out OF the export business on these accounts. and
a the present sent time switching grain from the
nGthlnE. In order to get the customary charge for
=. The Boston and Maine occupies a strong posi-
non ana IN It's division with all correcting rail-
Loaus is enabled to make a high arbitrary charge
because II controls absolutely the freight business
A good deal has been said about the terminals
OF the Fitchburg Railroad. That those terminals
are adequate to handle 65 per cent of the export
business o ness OF Boston has been proved admit that
FttChburg terminals
necessaIE IN tne future, but there is no difficulty
IN securing terminals for all the business which
increases to a point where additional terminals
are are necessary (Which hope and believe will be in
portion Will be very largely increased above IS per
1t has been said that the New-York Central will
bottle up the Fftchburg. I should like to know
the Mew.York Central which would prevent its be-
ing bottled up In turn If it should lease the
tine tine New ~ York central has always been liberal
give it. and returns to those connections all the
business It can give them. The "bottling up" talk
in these days is absolute nonsense.
favored the lease Of the Fitchburg to the New
York Central before the Boston and Albany prop
would be for the interest Of the prcperty the
Boston have e6r 1GF the f Of
MASSACHUSETTS, and to this port but the reasons
apply to a Boston and Maine lease Of the Fitch
burg, and am entirely opposed to that PROPOSE
The Fitchburg road. under the, circumstances
should remain Independent and I believe that the
future business will show the wisdom of my con-
clusion; but 1t should be more aggressive and
Hampshire. which are now under the control of
the Boston o and Maine road There is
entrance into such towns as Manchester. Nashua,
and Lawrence and Lowell in this State without
paying the heavy "arbtraries" of the Boston and
to make an er for the Fchbr Of Th wfs aSoq
all nonsense ! have made no offer in my own be-
connected for the Fitchburg stock lease Those
roads are fully able to maintain themselves with
Boston and Maine e'0i'eS Oh the fltchOurS or
necton. its connection with Canadian roads easy
grades and large local business is in position to
Nest at less rate than any other road The
recognize
I know nothing about the offer which the New
York Central is reported to have made through
MT IL Ledgard or Mr. Tutte for the common stock
of Massachusetts.