The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-25
GOVERNORS DISCUSS
FOSS' SOLUTION
All the New England Executives Pres.
ent To-day in Boston Except
Gov. Haines of Maine.

Boston, Jan. 25.--The transportation
problems of New England were consid
cred by five governors at luncheon
given by Governor Foss to-day. Gov
ernors Felker of New Hampshire, Fleteh
cher of Vermont, Pothier Of Rsode Is
land and Baldwin of Connecticut wer'
present. Gov. Haines of Maine was i
and unable to attend the conference
The conference was held behind CLOSED
doors.
Governor Foss in statement suggest
ed that the solution OF the difficulties
might lie in the creation of New Eng
land transportation commission and
state representation on railroad direct
crates The governors declined to dis
ctss the proposition before the opening
OF the conference.
Governor Foss says in part.
1T seems to me that until we have
settled our transportation problem we
cannot feel sure of our future deve,pp-
ment. We of New England have this
overshadowing question in common, and
the suggestion has been repeatedly made
that we might make greater progress
toward its solution by more cooperation
between the New England states.
When we see the limitations upon tie
powers of our state commissions aerlng
separately in such fundamental matters
as the corporate powers OF our railroad
lines. we see the common interest we of
New England have regulating our sit,ia-
tion as whole; and in the decisions
against us on the matter of our differen-
tials, we of New England see oar ON
mon danger of being ignored in national
councils
"To the extent that New England nat
urally stands apart from the rest OF the
country, we must inevitably stand to-
gether
My suggestion would be that we
might find a way to establish a perma-
nent board with the power OF all our
states behind it. Could we not consti.
tute the six chairmen Of the commits
sions having power over the transpor-
tation commission
"The fundamental difficulty in the
present situation is that we have me
railroad system covering all New Eng
land, which we are attempting to regu-
late by six separate commissions.
MY idea is that the scope of the
work of this New England transporta-
tion commission should be broad The
commission should call upon the rail
roads to provide such facilities for New
England as may be requisite; they
should also determine whether New
England rates are upon a proper bass
and use their influence to make the rates
in and out of New England favorable
to the development of this region.
In connection Herewith the finane-
ing OF these improvements must neces-
sarily be considered: and the general |
policy OF the staes in regard to the rail
roads should be discussed.
at may be said that the orders of |
this New England transportation COM
mission cannot be given the force of law;
but this commission would prove to he |
a very formidable board to deal with !
No corporation would dare disregard IN
structions from body made up of the |
executive heads of the state commits |
sions; and the recommendation of such |
a board ought TO insure identical legis-
lation in the various legislatures. 1t /
would have behind its decisions the Writ I
ual authority of the six commissions. to
say nothing of the united opinion of tire
six states.
No one believes more strongly than
IN the policy of regulation. but | am
not at all sure that regulation alone
will solve our New England problem
where we are absolutely dependent for
our prosperity upon single railroad
system.
II am inclined to believe that we must
insist upon having voice in the man
agement by the appointment of GER
tain sumber Of directors, in order to feel
secure of our future.