Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-23
GRoToN & SToNINGToN
 RAILWAY CHANGES HANDS
Transfer in Short Time Will Put Con troI in Hands of M. F. Plant and As socates Who Own Other County Roads.

The consummation of negotiations that have been for little time under way, and rumors of which have been heard on the street, will result in change of ownership of the Groton & Stonington Street Railway Co, which will hereafter. be controlled by Nor ton F Plant and the group of men associated with him in the ownership of the several so-called independent street railways in the eastern part of Connecticut and in western Rhode Is land.
 Ready for Transfer.
 While the transfer has not actually taken place. it Is authoritatively stated that the details are all arranged and that the new owners will be in pos session at an early date. The pur- chase suggests many possibilities of consolidation and extension and of con- centration of management, which should result in greater efficiency and economy in operation as well as in better service to the public. Judging from the character. ability and re- sources of the men soon to be incon- trol, it is safe to predict that the Groton & Stoningten will be put in first class condition, so far as it's physical property is concerned, and that it's operation will be conducted along approved lines and in a manner to insure the best possible service.
 Will Join the Roads. This action will bring together a group of railways in New London county and Westerly which are now more are less divided. The lines in which MT. Plant and associates are now interested are Norwich, Pawcauck Valley and New London and East | Lyme. The Groton & Stonington is the link which makes them into a chain MT. Plant is also connected with the Shore Line electric railway company, running from New Haven to | Saybrook Junction.
 | What the future for these roads with the new road is, is problematical at the present time-even the owners to be have not made up their minds what will be done. It is fair to pre- sume, however. that there will be 8 physical connection between the road l in Westerly and the Groton & Ston- ington line which will permit of cars going from one line to the other and | in such a case cars could run from here to Groton or from Groton tC l Watch Hill without change It was stated by one of those interested in the deal that nothing could be said of the plans for the future because none hat been made.
 Fine Possibilities.
 The value of this railway propert! to the new purchasers is perfectly ap- parent. It has great possibilities witf good sized communities on each enc and several good sized places along the route which gives it a large pOpu- lation to draw from.
 It was in 1903 that the Groton 6 Stonington Street Railway Go. wa incorporated and by New London coun ty people, and the line was construct ed by capital furnished by Norwicl and New London and Groton capital It has a capital stock of s290,000 pre- ferred and S400000 common.
 Twenty. three Miles of Road
 Including the Old Mystic branch which was opened last year. it's tota length is 23 miles, a good sized eX press business being done, in addition to the passenger service. The bushes on the line has continually increase and it has been a successful proposi tion from the start. The officers 0 the company at the present time are President, Thomas Hamilton. Groton vice president, B. F. Williams, Mystic treasurer, Costello Lippitt, Norwich secretary. Charles D. Moves, Norwich The directors include the officers an B. A. Armstrong. C. R. Hanscom, 4 H. Chappell of New London, c. W Comstock and Edwin W. Higgins o this city
 Norwich Westerly Road.
 The past year shows a decided i'm
 provement in the condition of th Norwich and Westerly road. It ha
 been able to show a decided improve ment in net earnings each month, sine i the policy for more economical opera
 ton was put into effect. With its ne' equipment 1t is keeping to It's scheduI and getting down to a basis where tn owners can appreciate the benefit z the changes.