Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-16
"Harsh and Unfair" Chamberlin
OF Grand Trunk CharaCterizes the
Statement of Herbert Rice of r. |.
CHAMBERLAIN ISSUES STATEMENT

New York, Nov. 15.-President
| Chamberlin of the Grand Trunk Rail-
way issued statement, tonight, in
which he characterizes as Harsh and
unfair the statement issued by Her
bert A. Rice and William C. Bliss. af-
ter conference between him and the
I Rhode Island officials. today. over the
Southern New England Railroad sit
! uation.
! Mr. Ghamberlin denies that he said,
| as reported. that he was "disgusted'
| with the people of New England. He
used the word disappointed. he said,
| in abiding to their attitude over the
| suspension of work on the roads pro-
| jected extensions in New England.
| 1T is inconceivable," said President
| Chamberlin, in his statement, that
| either Mr.. Rice or Mr. Bliss should
| gain such an impression from any
| statement which l made, this morn
| ing. / know the people of New England
I too well. and admire them too much,
| to express disgust in respect to any
| action they may or may not take
Il did not say that l was disguised
| with the people of New England.
said that l was disappointed with the
people of New England, especially with
| the people of Rhode Island, for action
| they had taken in connection with the
| Southern New England matter
Il did state that the discontinuance
| of work on the Palmer extension was
part of general eurtailment of con-
struction. at this time of the year.
In answer to urgent requests, that
be resumed, | replied to them that it
depended on weather conditions and
our board of directors"
President Chamberlin said he was
satisfied with the report of what he
had said about nom discrimination in
resumption of construction work, of
his statement that at conferences with
the New Haven officials abandonment
of the Palmer branch had not been
discussed and that the matter of re-
endorsement had not been consid-
cred
The Rhode Island officials version
Of what he had said about the appar-
ent attitude of Rhode Island people
with regard to the roads millions OF
expenditure in that state was mot
fair statement" Mr.. Chamberlin con-
tinues.
Mr.. Bliss" the statement SAYS,
''dwelt very much on the fact of the
State of Rhode Island having granted
a charter to the railway company, and
great obligation on the part of the
railroad company on account OF that
charter | acknowledged the obliga-
ton so far as the Railway Co. is con-
cerned, but also suggested that mas
much as our stockholders had fur
nished the Providence line 100000,
in the past season, and expected To
furnish more in the future, they had
a right to be considered in the prose-
cution of the work
Mr.. Bliss stated that the state OF
Rhode Island and the city of Provi-
dence had made large harbor inl-
provements on account of the South
ern New England Railway | asked
them. whether they had given the
Southern New England any exclusive
use of them, and he replied, that they
had not, and admitted that they swerf
public property and not the property
of he South New England.
Il did not say that / had never
personally favored the Palmer extern
sion as a financial proposition. The
gentleman must have misunderstood
me on that point
| What he was reported as having
said about the origin of the project
| for the Grand Trunk extension into
| New England was Practically cor
rect" he states. except the last clause
which says But Mr.. Fitzhugh should
| not be blamed if the extension was
abandoned | did not intimate even
| that the extension would be aban-
doned.
Mr.. Bliss himself made the state
ment that if traffic agreements were
| made with the New Haven road there
/ would be less reason for the construc-
\ ton of the Palmer extension. 1t was
not my statement.
| Mr. Bliss said that the extension
| from White River Junction to Boston
| would be paralleling existing lines
| but did not consider that this was so
| with the Palmer extension, and
| stated that he was probably right.
Il stated that under normal con-
ditions the road was amply able 70
| finance the extension, not Simply and
that local financial assistance could
not be considered.
"Mr. Bliss wanted to know if gen
eral criticism of the suspension of
work on the Palmer extension would
influence the directors unfavorably
and l replied: 1t might
ION the whole I consider the state
ment of Mr. Bliss and Mr.. Rice harsh
and unfair. No notes whatever were
taken during the conference which
they say was m hours interview, and
I, as they We're quoting from memory ]
think they should have taken greater
care in drawing up their statement
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