The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-01

@a N & Y which has enabled me to walk thus far without a cane, but I am fre- quently lame and have to take yaca- tion about election time
 Much misstatement has been made regarding the control of the New Ha- gan, and other prominent capitalists who are on it's board of directors. Let me assure you there is no control in the interest of any clique of capital ists or by parties representing any other property. The New Haven road is independent of all control in the interest of any o-her road or com pany, and is likely to remain so, much more so now than formerly. because it has become so large. and controlling influence in it's affairs would represent too much money.
 MT. Morgan is a most potent fac tor in the councils of the company, but it is not because of any stock ownership. It is because of his en- ergy, virili.y. his ability which is so marked that it commands respect and begets confidence. His influence is rather in spite of his wealth than be- cause of it. No director gives more freely of his time to the affairs of the company and none is more inter ested in all that pertains 10 it's well fare. If popular opinion is as I see sometimes represented in the press. that he is other than a director giv- ing of his valuable time and advice to the upbuilding of the property. far in excess of any possible personal re- turn. it is most unjust and unfair. for nothing could be further from the tr36h, Rla New York. New Haven & Hart foard Railroad of today, representing an aggregation of roads earning over $50 00000 per annum, is that child of Connecticut formerly known as the New York and New Haven railroad, grown to mans estate.
 Its first consolidation in 1872 with the Hartford & New Haven Railroad. under it's present name, distinctly pre- served it's Connecticut charter and every time since it has merged int" itself additional property. even to that last and greatest of all its mergers. in 1906. it has jealously guarded and preserved it's Connecticut domicile many times to its detriment
 Its derelictions have doubtless been many. for it has been handled by men. and all men err. but in all it's history it has nothing serious to be ashamed of or to cause those who created it regret
 Not>one dishonest dollar of capitali- zation is shown on it's books. Its is sues of stock and bonds represent
 
 treasury in excess of their par value, and recently a commission created by a neighhoring State has examined it and pronounced it by unanimous re- port of a value far in excess of any thing shown by it's books. and, as I believe. could have justly shown it's excess of value double the amount stated in its report.
 Much of its property is of a char acter not permitted to be owned by railroads in that State. and such prop erty was made to show up rather bad ly. I think, in consequence, but there was so much found it was impossible not to show a surplus of about $100,- 900, 900, and. as before stated, believe 1t would have required no stretch of conscience to have made that surplus double what was reported.
 The future of this great property is hard to forecast. It has grown rap idly and needs time and patience in which to assimilate and mould into shape it's many properties. which must have liberal outlays upon them to pro- duce the best results
 Do not do as have your neighbors, tie up and restrict until in despera- tion the same fate befalls it as has the Boston & Maine. and Boston & Albany. that those who own the se- curfties sell them or lease the property to escape the eXactions' of amateurs whose great desire is to control with out responsibility. to pose as guard 1ans of the public. with a surety of some one else paying the bills.
 The power of this great company is tremendous for the public good It has steadily for many years now. been improving it's condition 1nd it's service. and needs encouragement and deserves it at your hands instead of cor or"or"nation. embarrassment and re- striction
 Until it shows tendency to veil there is no occasion for alarm, and it is taking the initiative in many things in accordance with the present tendency of nodern thought to inn prove the condition of it's employees, and to make is service to them bene- ficent. It needs neither whip spur. nor penalty. to make it@ do all that in reason can be expected of it. and that Is in it's power to do. to make its service second to none. and is, believe. showing good progress in achieving higher standard of eff ciencv. and with that. so far as the will permit lower standard of charges for it's service
 It has the record of lowering it's rates in advance of any demand and will be the first again when conditions will permit and the politicians find some other issue to keep themselves in the limelieht-"when the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest"
 If, on he whole. your servant has done fairly well. is it not wise to give l him latitude and encourage him. Why