New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
CANT RIVAL CENTRAL
PS. c. Refuses Sanction to Buffalo,
Rochester s Eastern.
IBy Telegraph 70 The Tribune. !

Albany. March 16--The upstate Public Service
Commission to-day voted not ID grant the appiica-
.,on of the Buffalo Rochester & Eastern Railroad
Company for certificate of public convenience and
Aoessity build railroad in general pareIIeIinR
he Neu York Central between Buffalo and Troy
commissioners Stevens. Decker. Sague and Olmsted
.,ored against granting the certificate; Commits
.ioner Osborne declined 20 vote
This application has bSen before the commission
for more than year. and supported by A con-
siderable local sentiment along the proposed route
For that reason the decision will be unpopular for
G time out the reasons given by the commission
make il seem likely that after the opinion has
reen aigested the temporary unpopuarity will dis
spnear just as the much talked Of resentment
srsfnst Governor Hughes for his of the 2-cent
fare bin materialiZed.
The commission voted against the building of tie
-sR road because there not SUFFICIENT financial
hacking: Because the cost Of construction would
rsve been large that il would have had TO earn
returns on a greater capitalization than any other
,r the country. earning $4,000 mile. where
in 1906 no road in the country earned $4,000 a
nile gross: because, therefore. a greater tonnage
,znuld be required than that any railroad in
the country because the eastern outlet OF road
mould be in condition 10 handle additional busi-
ness and the western terminus have additional
business 10 furnish; because existing railroad facii-
ties could handle the present business adequately
and care for such increase as developed: because
no public benefit as TO cheaper transportation would
result and because the local business TO be accom-
-,odated would not warrant the construction of a
new road-a conclusion admitted hearings by the
applicant
The commission showed that the Boston
Maine the sole Eastern connection Of the proposed
line In fun tide OF business OF 1901, unable TO
take care Of the business offered 1t by its Western
connections ard that this inability Of the
causes Of congestion and delay IN the business Of
chat wear Of railroads il New York State. An
average Of 77o loaded day the utmost
The Boston & Maine could handle. while the bust
ness the Buffalo. Rochester & Eastern would he
compelled 10 offer II to pay necessary charges
would he fully much more, this practically de-
rranding from the Boston & Maine double its pres
ent capacity.
The commission stated that the cost Of construct
ire the 81 miles Of Jhe proposed road placed
by the applicant at sS.55eO Ols but that examna-
ton of the evidence and the report Of the commits
Sion's engineers placed the cost approximately at
Se0on01e The financial ability OF the applicant
as shown upon hearings that il has total
authorized capital stock of $35oOooo SAYS the COM
mission of which only $4,000 has been subscribed
by persons whose aggregate financial resources do
not exceed from 100000 to Sl5.OO0eo0. None Of
these persons IS shown to have experience in the
building. operation management OF steam rail-
roads or any connection with control over hnan-
cial resources other than as stated
Ralph D. Gillette is president and A. D. Robin
son secretary Of the proposed road. Both live at
TestfeId, Mass.