The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-05-26
Tuesday, May 20, nos.
THE NEW HAVEN SUIT.

THE NEW HAVEN SUIT.
The Morning Journal-Courier has al
ready expressed its dlsapproval of the
suit brought against the New Haven
Railroad company for its alleged viola
ton of the Sherman antitrust law.
There remains only to he considered
the philosophy, II 1t Is philosophy, or
the motive, If It is a motive, back of
the action. It is manifest that point
has been reached in the attitude of
government towards vested rights
where the people of the country who
at least theoretically own the govern
ment under which they live. and who
necessarily have a greater interest in
its conduct and control than anybody
else, should begin to inquire II pro-
cess Of government which moves along
ftful and destructive lines is desira-
bic. 1t Is admitted that government
which seeks consistently and with de-
termination the enforcement of the
laws of the land is a government for.
by and with the people.
There is of course a possibility, in
questioning the integrity of the suit
against the New Haven company,
which is link OF the first magnitude
in the industrial life of New England
and in particular of this section Of
New England, that a charge may
lie against US because we very seri-
cusly doubt the justice of the local ac-
tion referred to. It Is not a good
time. in the judgment Of opportunists,
to even by indirection come to the de-
Tense Of public service corporations.
More glory is to be sought and posi-
bly, achieved in fierce condemnation
and reckless prosecution However
that may be, the suit against the New
Haven railroad has such portentious
possibilities in not only revolutioniz-
ing the railroad organization of New
England but in actually destroying tho
last Vestige Of local control that to
have brought It, without manifest and
obvious proof of the doing of illegal
things and the plotting of wicked con-
spiracies, is to recklessly strike a blow
at the industrial life of that section of
the country It serves.
There IS a difference of opin-
ion among men competent to ex-
press an opinion as to the adj
visibility of the New Haven Rail
road company having entered extern
sively into the purchase of trolley
roads few men have viewed with COM
placency the gradual development Of
the New Haven Railroad company UNI
til resultant circumstances compelled
consideration Of 1t as a natural mon
opoly; fewer men still, however, have
been unable to figure any other out
come of railroad domination than has
come under the pressure of industrial
development and combination. The
very exigencies Of the situation made
a carrier more and more of a common
carrier, with common facility for do.
ing the work required of It. The
breaking up of the New Haven Rail.
road company, as 1t Is physically con.
structed today, into the various lines
which existed before consolidation tool
place is inconcevable from the stand.
point of the manner in which the bust
ness of Connecticut and New England
Is done today and yet if the depart
ment of justice at Washington is de-
ternined in its undertaking to revive
free rail- railroading in these partE
that is the logical result,
The whole spirit of the movemen
against the New Haven company Il