Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-06
New Haven Road Intends
to Remain Passive
And Wait Developments Re-
garding The Merger.
Does Not Like Legislation Enacted
IN Bay State.

New Haven. Ct. June 5.-As regards
the Boston & Maine merger bill pass
ed in the Massachusetts Senate yester-
day, inquiry In New York. New Haven
& Hartford Railroad Quarters indi-
cate much dissatisfaction with the
measure and strong probability that
the company will not accept the two
sections Of the bill which under it's
proyiaioDs are left to the acceptance
of the corporation. Special objection
is raised to that one OF these two Sec
lions which calls for the transfer OF
voting power to the Massachusetts
commissioners on the IS per cent. OF
Boston & Maine shares held by the
New Haven Co. Such a transfer ap-
pears to be regarded by New Haven
officials as almost tantamount to an
alienation of those shares and as CIV
ing undue If not illegal powers to the
Massachusetts railroad commission
The company will. however. remain
passive in the matter until the meas
ure comes up for it's definite action.
1T 10 also ascertained pretty definitely
that the company will remain passive
ID the federal suitSu the form of the
decree under the recent finding OF the
Massachusetts supreme court is made
definite. Thus far, it is understood, the
propositions coming from Attorney
General Malone as to the form Of the
decree have been indeterminate in
character and asking for an injunc-
ton or little more. When the decree
ID made specific by the attorney gen.
eral, the New Haven CO. is expected to
take the form of the decree anew to
the supreme court and a new trial, or
even a number of them. is looked for.
Points in the decree may also raise
questions that must go to the United
States supreme court. 1t is now re-
Rarded in railroad circles here as al
most certain that the case will pass
into another federal administration.
In regard to the merger, 1t can al
80 be stated on the authority Of a
high railroad officer here that the in
terchange of additional Boston &
Maine shares on even terms with New
Haven shares, has been indefinitely
postponed and is not in any event
likely to be considered for some time
to come. At the time when the large
block Of Boston & Maine shares was
purchased such continued exchange
was arranged for and some $40. 100000
at par in New Haven shares was kept
In the treasury of the company for
that purpose. Events in MaSsachu-
sets since the purchase was made
have changed the attitude Of the New
Haven Co.
Boston, June 5.-The railroad regu-
lation bill, which permits the New
Haven Railroad to continue to hold the
stock Of the Boston & Maine, but with
the right Of voting 1t vested with the
railroad commission as trustees. was
passed to be engrossed in the Senate
today by a vote Of 25 to IL. The bill
now goes to the House. where it will
go on the calendar for next week.
The passage of the measure was de-
layed by one of the most determined
f1libusters on the part Of the Demo-
Gratis, led by Senator Frank j. Lehman
Of Boston. known In Massachusetts, In
recent years. Ever since Monday,
when the bill was first taken up, the
opposition succeeded in blocking final
action through the Offering hostile
amendments and frequently attempt
ing to secure reconsideration.
It was only when the Republican
advocates Of the bill combined to force
q vote that the bill was given any seri-
GUS consideration in debate by those
against it, Today's proceedings We're
delayed by the belligerent faction who
for time made efforts to strike from
the bill certain amendments adopted
Thursday. it having been discovered
that they were unnecessary. The pres
ent program is for the House of Rep
resentatives to take up the bill on
Monday 1t will be read once and then
placed in the orders Of the day for
Tuesday for debate. Its supporters
will endeavor to force a vote. either
wednesday or Thursday, with the hope
of laying it before the governor by
Saturday. and also to bring about the
prorogation of the Legislature late
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