Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-17
RAILROAD DEAL
Consolidated is Taking Steps at Present 10 Absorb Pough-
 keepsie Bridge System
AN IMPORTANT MOVE.

INcW IldFcu, Juile lt.-StepS are tO be taken almost immediately by the Lew York, New Haven and Hart ford railroad company for the mer- ger with itself of the Poughkeepsie bridge system of railroads, which in- cludes the Central New England and its subsidnary lines, now under the New Haven corporations control.
 The merger involves the consolida- ton of a large and important railroad property. By the last report to the Connecticut railroad commission, the Central New England and Pough- keepsie bridge systen has besides the bridge, total track mileage of 256 miles, representing 322 miles of sin gle tracks. It has about 57 miles in New York, four miles ill Massachu- setts and the rest of its trackage in Connecticut. The system las total capital stock of $10, ,714,O00, of which the Hartford and Connecticut Western is represented by $2,T14,OO0. It's funded debt Is $10,930,00O, of which $700,0OQ is represented by Hartford and Connecticut Western securities.
 In his report for the year 1904 President Mellen stated that by the issue of $5,0OO0OO of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad debentures, he has acquired large controlling interest in the stock and q large holding of general mortgage in come bonds of the Poughkeepsie bridge system. In that year the Cen tral New England had earned only $693.1 gross for the year. Last year, owing to it's use for traffic fed to it by the New Haven system, its gross earnings rose to. $d,179,4i9. It's operating expenses, however, rose to $1,50S, ,540, but these expenses to a large part was represented in the repairs on the Poughkeepsie bridge, now drawing near competitor.
 The Poughkeepsie bridge system, as stated by President Mellen in his re- ports has been of decided value in re- lieving the pressure of freight busi- ness upon other parts of the New Ha- ven system, notably the New York and Highland divisions. It's lines of future business point directly to con- siderable utilities of thorough business toward Boston and northern New England. It has branch line to Springfield, which opens opportunity for future profitable connection with the Boston and Maine. About three quarters of its whole business consists of freight.
 The merger will be carried through under New York legislation and with the Poughbeepsie bridge repairs com pleted it is expected to become rev. enue earner for the controlling cor poration.
 The Hartford and Connecticut West ern railroad, which may be regarded as the necleus of the Poughkeepsie bridge system, is the Ola Connecticut Western line which was opened in 1871. Since then it has met with many vicissitudes. passing through several congratulations and separate control. It was one of the original town aid" roads of Connecticut. for which assistance was voted by town bonds. system which le1 to abuses and resulted later in the prohibition of town aid for railroad .:nes by an amendment of the Connecticut state constitution. The last report of the Connecticut railroad commission show ed that the New York. New Haven and Hartford company held about 10000 shares of stock oin the system besides large holdings of bonds.