The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-03-31

l14fly F4lan Dg LnelF present Steam EaAl-
road owners;
THE extension for two years from
the rising of the present legislature of
! the rights heretofore granted the sepa-
rate companies now owned by the Con-
! solidated, to build certain branches
specified in their charters and amend
ments thereto:
THE right to construct certain
branches and extensions specified in
the position;
1.-THE right to eliminate the interest of
dissenting stockholders upon terms and
conditions most liberal and protecting
the company from biackmail in the
conduct of its business.
THE above are the special provisions
of the amendments sought regarding
which there may possibly develop diff
erence of opinion. The balance. /
think, are understandable and so clear
ly in the public interest as not to re-
quire extended comment.
Such generally should be the provi-
sions of the bill which will be presented
for your consideration, and which we
trust will receive your approval.
81 am not much of a hand at legal
phraseology, but know what we need,
what we intended asking for, and we
/ seek no more: and / believe bill CIV
ing same to US to be in the interest of
the people of the state. 1t is drawn by
our attorneys, under instructions COW
ering only the points presented. have
endeavored TO explain its provisions,
! with such power as have, and trust
! - 20,
if granted, will be used judiciously.
with conservatism, and always with an
eye to the general good.
There are other measures than the
amendments to the Consolidated rail-
ways charter that will later come be-
fore you for consideration. In which
we have a very great interest, to which
will take occasion to refer here in a
general way.
Something like three years ago,
while connected with the Northern Pa
cifie railway, had occasion to note the
great loss due to the misuse of its
freight cars. and set about to remedy
the same. In connection with officers
of other railroads similarly affected. a
subscription was raised and a very eff
eient man employed to establish "a bu-
reau of information in Chicago to gath
err statistics and start an agitation in
favor of per diem compensation for
use of freight cars, instead of the
mileage rate then prevailing. ..
Everything worked beautifully, the
: change was effected two years ago
Gully 1, 1902 and upon the conclusion
; of the years work ending July 1, 1903,
l found the Northern Pacific was the
gamer by something like five hundred
thousand dollars in round figures.
Naturally ! was pleased and felt my
work had redounded greatly to the adj
vantage of my property, and further
agitation was encouraged to advance
the rate of the per diem charges.
Later in the year came about the
change which brought me to this prop
: erty, and in the investigation. which
: every man is obliged to make upon
; taking hold Of anything new to- see
what can be done to discover leaks In
either expenses or receipts, came the
l1riwledge of the serious havoc the per
diem was working here.
81 was then not so much impressed
., with the work had been engaged in,
but it was too late to change, and this
serious burden, which has already re.
suited in one advance in local freight
t rates being made here, and is still bear
i ing very heavily, is just now burning
question with all interested in the prop
n erty. -
Il want to submit to you, is it not
better that your laws should be adjust
q ed more in conformity with those OF
n other states? That what other eonnn,l-
$ mites can tllhrive under will answer
here, and give our company q chance
to relieve itself of an Irritating, unne
cessary burden that in reality, If not SO
adjusted you have to shoulder yourself
: in another form.
"A railroad lives by a tax upon tine
. community. You may take from it in
! one form, but you must put 1t back IN
: another. Whatever You have you mus,
6 pay for, and 1T is only a choice of the
!, ways in which payments shall be made
!, that can ever be a subject for consider
alton.
= LET us urge you to use your most
! powerful influences to change your de-
! murrage, as in this state, that the
4 whole community may not have to pay
a tax because of comparatively few de-
9 linquents, but that the burden shall
I be permitted to rest where it belongs
( 1.-THE advice of the best counsel avail
i able is to the effect that upon interstate
. shipments the present demurrage law
1 of this state is imperative, and we
: have been repeatedly requested by oui
= connection to put THE customary pen.
4 alties in force, upon misuse of theil
!. cars engaged In interstate traffic and
@ take such litigation as may ensure into
!. the federal courts, where the result
: cannot be matter Of serious doubt.
n I'VE have been unwilling to resort to
a such. course from reasons which are
/ matters of policy, in that we seek nc
d controversy with the citizens of this
e state, even though we know them to be
o in the wrong, and for the reason that
d we further believe progress, by which
e a solution of this vexed question is be.
f ing worked out, has already been made
t, and that ultimately an enlightened sell
= interest will lead you to put yourselfs
It in line in this matter as it has othel
l. communities.
O MY only regret is that you should bt