New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-11
4 RAILROADS. NEW POLICY.

Al the Chamber of Commerce dinner in Proyi-
dence On Wednesday night the new president
az the New-York, New-Haven and Hartford
Railroad Company made a speech which, if
the previous proceedings had been soporifc
must have walked his audience up. Nh Mellen
earned an excellent reputation in the service
of the Northern Pacific. TO which he modestly
and Justly alluded in speaking of the conf
dence which had rewarded his work IN another
field, and his present appointment consequently
aroused agreeable expectations. He has had
hardly time enough as yet even 10 begin a
practical fulhlment Of the plans which he may
haVe formed, but his remarks TO the business
men Of Providence justify the most cheerful
auguries. We shall not be accused Of betraying
a secret when we say that the travelling pub
lie has long entertained a suspicion that the
management Of the New-York, New-Haven and
Hartford Railroad was susceptible of improve
.ment There may have been trace of injus-
tice IN the prevailing custom of throwing a
brick at that corporation on general principles
whenever and wherever railroad matters came
up for discussion, but there has been a respect
able warrant for assuming that it's patrons
structures did not arise entirely from pure
cussedness"
That assumption is now rendered absolutely
safe by Mr.. Mellens virtual acknowledgment of
faults which ii is his business TO correct. IF"
said he, I'VE are going 10 have that measure of
f'success With our property which We most
Earnestly desire, we must have in place of
Fwiiat has been the prevailing operation here
ga complete change, like the one which has
'tallen place in the management Of the COM
s'pany." Surely that statement contains an Off
cial license for public disapproval of former
policies, including the policy OF protesting that
-
10 say that he id not care 10 engage in an
unreliable discussion Of ancient history, but
urged his hearers 70 help him in making new
history from now on. remembering that rail-
road company Is only The personality Of the
men Ia charge OF its affairs Tor The time being
and that when The personality has changed it
s. foolish % Eeep or complaining Of the past
instead of concerning and encouraging the
means OF Improvement II such frank ex-
pressions are not exactly complimentary TO Air.
1elIen's predecessors, there IS, nevertheless, no
need Of apologizing 10 those who put him where
he IS for the Measurable sensations which his
utterauces excite.
The most significant part Of Mr. Mellen's
speech was tla.s short passage: 1T is doubly
incumbent upon the management or rail
road having practically d monopoly, as we
''haye, 20 serve you faithfully and efficiently"
II The spirit expressed in those words were
commonly translated into action the anu-monop-
olists would find their occupation almost gone.
Mr. Mellen was talking directly 10 the citizens
os Providence, but, OF course he must intend
10 apply the sound doctrine which he enun-
'elated wherever his railroad runs. Providence
lRho1e Island has no valid title TO preferential
treatment When he told the people OF that
lcig that they should not submit TO HDreasona-