Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-23

Washington, Dec, 22.-Railroad COM
panies and steamship combinations
control the regular steamship lines of
the United States and have DESTROYED
competition on many of the water
highways of commerce, declares Luth
CT Conant, Jr., Commissioner of Cor
porations. in "a report to President
Taft today. ,5f
The revelations of the report, based
upon an extensive investigation, force
upon the federal government, says the
Commissioner, the Consideration of
further regulation of joint rail and
water traffic.
In practically all the coast waters
of the country it is declared, railroad
or steamship consultations dominate
water transportation. Their control
of both through passenger and pack
age-freight trade is especially strik-
ing, says Commissioner Conant, on
fhe Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and on
the Great Lakes. Water lines along
the eastern seabeard, he adds, have
become to a large extent, auxiliaries
or subsidiaries of railroads. While
competition exists in greater meas
lire on the Pacific coast, the Commits
sioner points cut important instan
ces of railroad control there.
1t is striking fact, says Commits
sioner Conant, that between a number
OF the more important ports on the
Atlantic and Gulf coast there is only
~ single regular service.
1.-The New Haven system, it is charg-
ed, "has pursued a determined policy
OF s,ippressing any effective COMPETE
sfion on Long Island Sound and sever
al at least. of It's recent acquisitions
mist be charged as due TO this poll
cy.' Elimination of competition also
was an important factor, said Com
missioner conant. in fhe New Haven
purchase Of majority interest in the
Merchants and Miners Transportation
Company.
The extensive water traffic between
New York City and New England
ports is almost completely controlled,
the report adds, by the New Haven
road or by the Eastern Steamship
Company in which the New Haven is
a considerable stockholder. though
claiming to have no voice in the man
ageInent.
The Southern Pacific likewise is de-
clared to have shown "a disposition to
restrict competition" on the Atlantic
coast although its steamship lines
ARE really water extension of thai
company's rail lines" In addition, the
report says, tine control of the South
ern Pacific by the Union Pacific Gre.
Gently dissolved by the United States
Supreme Court obviously tended t.
limit the Importance of competition
by the Southern Pacifie's rail and wa
ter route"
The railroads controlling the great
est tonnage of steamship lines, ac
cording to Mr.. Conant, are the New
Haven system. Union Pacific. Southern
Pacific, the Pennsylvania, New Yorl
Central ana Central of Georgia.
Nearly all the important anthraeit
fleets on the North Atlantic coasts
the Commissioner says are owned b,
few great anthracite railroads.
4 number of the principal canals o
the country have been abandoned O
fallen into disuse. the report declares
because Of railroad influence.
The conditions here set forth" say
Mr. Conant. ''can not fail to com
mand attention. So far as the east
ern part of the country is concerned
water lines have to a large extent be
come auxiliaries or subsidiaries 4
railroads. These conditions force con
sideration of the policy 70 be adopte
toward such water carriers Sine
water competitor has in considerabl
measure been restricted by raiiroa
control of water lines this fact mus
be taken account OF. The Intersta'
Commerce Commission has BY recef
!.