The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-02

Boston. Jan. 2.--1hc ceremonies attend-
Ing the inauguration or Governor Curtis
Guild. Jr.. OF Boston. for his third and
probably last term, were held at the state
house today. and except In the remarks OF
the governor In his inaugural address and
the faces or those who looked down upon
the scene. the entire proceedings varied
little from those OF the last 80 years. The
governor was proclaimed chief magistrate
by the secretary Of the commonwealth
With all the fervor that official could mus
ter, and the same was repeated when
Eben 8. Draper OF Hopedale was pro-
claimed lieutenant governor.
The Inaugural address OF Governor
Guild was listened 10 by both branches OF
the legislature. several hundred business
men. who crowded the arena and aisle in
front OF the speakers desk and by a
throng OF gaily-dressed women which
completely filled the galleries.
The governor spoke for nearly an hour
upon the conduct OF state institutions
and state industries and made number
OF suggestions. all OF which VIII be con-
sidered by the present legislature. The
feature OF the Inaugural address was the
governors remarks on the railroad situa-
ton
The governor said. IN part:
The need OF today Is peace. and peace
with honor-peace between nations. comfy
between states, good temper as well as
honesty between individuals.
We must enforce, we have enforced the
law, whether those who encroach upon It's
provision are corporations or individuals.
We must control. we have controlled
great public service corporations. The
alternative OF such control Is not individ-
ual but socialism. If, however, there IS
year when " Is particularly desirable
20 avoid recklessly sensational onslaughts
on property. shattering puss-c confidence,
curtaiiing commerce. checking Invest
ment. reducing alike the earnings of CAPT
tai and the employment OF labor, 1t is this
year. 1905
The most serious question TO be deter
mined IN this session is the settlement OF
the transportation problems OF Massa-
chusetts II should be taken up in
broad spirit free from prejudice.
~ Is not an exaggerated charge, but a
simple statement of fact. to say that no
steam railroad now operated in Massa-
chusetts is giving the service that II
should give 10 the public.
SUGGESTIONS
suggest for your consideration. not in
any one specific ease. hut as a matter OF
general policy. these propositions:
control trolley lines?
The intent OF the law OF Massachusetts
clearly prohibits such control. The COM
the law OF 1907. IN express service between
steam and street railroads II. | believe,
healthy, and should be maintained.
2 Should an express company be per-
mitted TO control a railroad, and through
railroad freight rates?
i believe that the influence OF express
companies In tho control OF railroads
hampers their development and tends to
damage the general interest OF the public
believe that the ownership OF railroad
stocks by express companies should be
discouraged
.. Should railroad companies be permit
ted to own or 10 control or TO establish
steamship lines? w
sUnder Massachusetts, charter. which
we, all desire for ali roads In this CON-
nnonwealth, even beneficial extension OF
business along these lines Is practically
impossible
4 Should one steam railroad be allowed
TO control another?
Such control whether through owner
ship OF stock or otherwise, directly or I'm
directly. is at present forbidden by stat
ute.
UNION OF INTERESTS.
I believe that on certain terms permis-
sion for some union or interests not In
violation OF any national statute might
be granted. Such permission. however,
should not precede n thorough examina-
tion OF the real condition OF the two roads
involved. and, II granted. should be ac-
companied by changes In law giving the
railroad commission greater powers OF
public control. together with other
changes. as TO which / may have some
thing to say later. further safeguarding
the public interests.
One condition must at all events be en-
forced In any proposed consolidation:
stringent permanent provisions should be
made against any control OF any New
England road by any corporation. Ameri-
can or Canadian. with an Atlantic ter
ninals for eastbound freight anywhere
outside New England . believe any pos