The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-22
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passed by the MaSSachuSetts leBlsiatuic
directing railroad commissioners 10 obtain
a detailed statement of stocks, bonds and
other securities OF street railway cor
porations held by the New York. New
Haven and Hartford Railroad company
does not call attention 10 any new de-
parture in its policy. The managers OF
the New Haven system believe that the
public will be better served by unihed
MANAGEMENT OF electric and steam lines
In the same territory than by rival and
conflicting interests. For number OF
years the New Haven road has been ac-
curing electric railways as Is well
known. and has been doing so because IL
believes that Its course In this matter
will prove beneficial, both to the trans
portation companies concerned and to
their patrons.
The New York. New Haven and Hart
ford was a pioneer among American rail-
ways' I'm the use OF electricity as a motive
power not only through the electrihcauon
OF some of its own branches, nut also
through the acquisition and construction
of electric street railways. The electric
70 town. are becoming the great feeders
of American railways and unified control
will bring beneficial results similar 10
those which followed the combination OF
many short steam lines in large railroad
systems.
The building up OF the great American
railways has not led TO increased charges
for the transportation OF passengers and
freight nor to diminished service. on
the other hand fares and freight rates
have been steadily reduced. while the ser
vice has grown more efficient. The pres
ent generation OF American travellers
knows little OF the inconveniences or tho
old system when a passenger. riding from
Boston TO New York. passed over the
lines OF several companies and was
obliged 10 change cars az junction points
The New York. New Haven and Hart
ford. i'm acquiring it's electric railway
properties has been following, under
present conditions. a course similar 10
that which proved successful when the
early railroads local and hostile enter
prises. were gradually combined and
brought into harmonious operation as
parts OF larger railways.
Combination OF old-time steam rail-
roads was brought about because OF the
necessitieS-of a rapidly growing business.
although the railwa~ system OF the time
is full OF instances OF opposition. and
often bitter opposition from those who
did not sec that the new order OF things
meant more and better trains increased
freight facilities and lower charges. The
union OF steam and electric roads today
is likewise due to the demands for i'm
proved service. For example. one OF the
great problems i present day railway
management is that of handling the great
army OF commuters. the people who daily
ride to and fro between their suburban
and rural homes and their places OF busi-
ness I'm the cities.
Ry the cooperation of it's steam and
electric lines. the New Haven road can
handle the suburban passenger traffic
much more advantageously than this
branch OF the business could be handled
were the steam and electric roads under
separate management The managers OF
the New Haven system look to the day
when the ideal or The public service will
be secured by a union OF long distance.
high speed roads on private rights OF
way. with short distance frequent service
on street railway lines. II is not possible
to take a steam railway train to the front
door Of suburban house. but II should
be possible for the occupant OF that house
TO go 10 his business In the city at the
minimum cost and inconvenience. and this
result can best be brought about by plac-
ing the steam road and the electric lines.
which are IT'S feeders, under a single man.
agement
The New York, New Haven and Hart
ford railroad. In carrying out its we'll
established policy of using electricity
where that can he more advantageously
employed than steam power. is engaged
In rebuilding it's Harlem branch I'm order
that people living I'm towns and cities
reached by this portion Of the system
may be carried TO and from New York
in fast electric trains. This work in
wolves the expenditure Of about 5000 000.
The fact that the road has entered upon
an undertaking OF this magnitude in order
10 provide a new electric line to the
metropolis is In itself evidence of the sue
cess which has attended the use OF cleo
tricity In the New Haven system.
The question raised by the action OF the
Massachusetts legislature. however. re-
lates more particularly TO the control OF
electric street railways than 10 the use
OF electric power on lines where steam
was formerly employed. Through the
Consolidated company the New Haven
system includes 100 miles OF electric lines.
The operation OF these roads has been
satisfactory. both from the standpoint Of
the public and OF the company In fact
the managers Of the system are confident
that. as the public becomes more familiar
with the results of the unified control OF
steam and electric lines. railroads will be
asked to do what in some quarters the
New York. New Haven and Hartford has
been criticised for doing. For that reason
any action which leads 70 a discussion Of
the question will certainly not meet with
opposition from the officials OF the road
Eor Over SIxtv War,