Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-11-21
Editorial Comment.
Broadening the Narrow Gauge.
(Boston TranScripto


gamat.1n u. the Boston & Maine ana
the New York. New Haven d Hart
ford is seen in the project OF the pres
ident of these roads 10 acquire the
Boston. Revere Beach ~ Lynn RAIL
road This narrow gauge road mas
for some years been regarded as a sort
of Boston < Maine property, although
lit has not been operated in any sense
for that road, and its contemplated
control by the New Haven will mean
III complete absorption of its. identity.
With Boston & Maine cars running
direct into the-South Station, as VIII
be provided by this new scheme, the
physical and tangible merger is evi-
lent.
With the absorption of this line and
its elcctrification will come about I'M
mcnsolv increased convenienceS for
travel to the North Shore, section
that has hecn rapidly developed and
is capabl. of still more rapid develop
;nent. Whether any trains from l3ev-
crly and later from Gloucester will
continue to run into the North station
is, of course, matter to be deter
rnined in the future, and it is likely
steam trains into the North station
ton Of that whole line is carried out.
will be continued until the electrlica-
tion of that whole line is carried out.
lit vii; be remembered that it was only
last week that the Boston & Maine
brought in their plan opposing clectri-
.ication because it was too expensive.
lit will be noted however, that when
the company sees n new road to be
scared and electrified it goes ahead
without hesitation.
Undoubtedly this new plan is delib-
cratcly intended to checkmate the
Boston & Eastern, and the troubles
which that concern has had in getting
its project under way seem only to
accumulate Whether there will be
room enough for that road and the
electrified Boston & Maine in the same
territory is the serious question which
he directors OF the Boston & Eastern
must meet. However they may settle
| it. there is no doubt that the new pro-
iect of acquiring the Boston, Revere
| Beach & Lynn is one that will be cX-
| tremely popular with all patrons OF
| this road and of the Boston & Maine.
What effect it will Rave upon the
! Elevated roads lines to Winthrop and
he Boston & Northern roads to Lynn
and beyond, remains an interesting
problem. The fare question also pre-
:'ents a very interesting field for in
quirv. as it does indeed to all the
electrified steam lines coming into
competitor with the existing electric
roads.
Moreover. this step of diverting Bos-
ton d Maine passenger trains to the
South Station is the first one in the
long train OF proceedings which may
Eventually result in making the South
Station the one great union station OF
the city This suggestion is Of par
ticular interest to the transportation
interests of Boston when one considers
that with this station there will be no
| direct underground railway conncc-
ton. Would it not be better, in view
| of this situation. if the Cambridge
subway were brought down directly
to the South Station? And will the
proposed Causeway- street connection
with the North Station hc permanent
ly useful? There are very many 9TH
ar ramifications in Boston's transport
tation problcm made evident by this
| new Sten.
| Whether there will be any objection
in the Legislature to this absorption
| is of course a question which is inn
POSSIBLE at this time to forecast That
it is in the nature Of an abolition of
competing lines is Of course true. and
that the Boston & Eastern VIII GER
tainly protest .he affair is without
question. It seems to us that the New
Haven management is going ahead on
| this project in the same way in which
it has gone about its other absorption
schemes and with the same object in
view. And the question as to that
whole pOlicyS benefit Or hurt to the
public remains an open one