Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-05
Mr.. Ryrnes A. Booster.

the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford Railway, has issued a statement
concerning New England agricultural
DEVELOPMENT which is particularly in
teresting in Maine at this time be-
cause of the awakening to the great
possibilities of the State and the re-
nuted connection of his road with
Maine affairs. Mr.. Byrnes recognizes
that prosperity in the territory his
railroad serves. guarantees the pros
perity of the railroad with which he is
affiliated. He says:
New England is today. as from
the earliest days she always mas
been. industrially one of the most
advanced and prosperous sections
of the United States. The pros
perity of her transportation IN
terasts is. of course, of identical
interest with that of her indus
tries. Until recently this has not
been appreciated either by rail-
roads or public as it should have
been"
He carries the point further and eX-
plains why railroads are taking active
interest in developing their district
and spending money in ways which, in
the old days, would have been consid-
cred entirely outside the province of
a transportation company. He explains
that railroads have come to see the
wisdom of systematic and intelligent
effort to develop additional business
rather than to take the business Of
fered to it and be content. Even ur
der the old regime, that is. when the
railroads paid strict attention to the
business of transporting the freight
offered, systems We're developed, divi-
dends paid and consolidation of lines
carried on with an appearance Of pros
perity and business sagacity. AS Mr..
Byrnes puts it,
Everything has seemed to be
going well enough 50 it has not
seemed worth while to take the
trouble to make it go better
Railroad men of the present gener-
alton recognize that a field cultivated
to that extent and no more is only half
cultivated. AS result active steps are
being taken to bring about a higher
development of New England. Maine
has recently been notified that its
greatest railroad system has recog-
nized the wisdom of doing what it
could to develop the resources of the
State.
Mr.. Byrnes speaks very highly of
New England in the course of his re-
marks, at one point saying:
New England is the most at
tractive pleasure ground of the
country. People are drawn thither
from all parts by the beauty of
the scenery, the excellence of the
climate and opportunities for
wholesome recreation
He recognizes too that something
has already been done to bring these
attractions to the attention of the peo-
pie living in other parts, but says that
something more can be done, that bet
ter and more direct routes to and from
numerous regions that are naturally
attractive to summer visitors, together
with faster and more comfortable
trains, will increase travel enormous
ly. He says too that there are indi-
cations that New England and the
various interests that serve her COM
mercial and transportation needs are
situation.
He recognizes that our agricultural
standing is relatively high and that
it can be made higher. He commends
the advantage to be had from such
conferences as that which the govern
ors held in Boston two years ago and
of the efforts of the Boston Chamber
of Commerce, the New England apple
show, the coming corn exposition and
similar projects. In closing his state
ment to the public Mr.. Byrnes said:
PERSONALLY, I believe no part of
the United States offers greater OPP
rortunitv to the man of enterprise
and initiative than does New Eng
land"
Such statements as these coming |
from a man SO high in the councils |
Of q great business organization so |
vitality interested in, and so import
ant to, the development of New Eng
land is something which should be
1t is an indication that the
leaders in industrial matters in New |
England are waking to New England's |
needs. If New England benefits. Maine
will benefit according as she improved |
he now opportunities offered her.
A Worthy Cause.