New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-10
Boston & Maine Line.

Incidental 10 the acquisition OF the con
trol Of the Boston & Maine by the New
Haven. tho report discusses the hnsncIa!
condition Of the former. Criticism IS
made OF the methods OF leasing other
lines practised BY the Boston a. Maine.
the amounts being fat Sums each year
without reference 10 the ability Of the
lines leased 10 make the necessary re-
turns. Such a method Of building UP a
railroad system is denounced by tho COM
mission a. inherently vicious"
In discussing the remedy 10 be applied
TO the general railroad situation Commis-
soncr Prouty says:
What Is needed first Of all 10 improve
the railroad situation In New England IS
rest and opportunity for constructive
work. There is much truth in the claim
Of these carriers that they have been 20
occupied with Investigations and so criti-
cised By the public that no fair opportu-
nifty has been given for the operation OF
their railroad properties No railroad
MANAGEMENT can succeed without the
support OF the public which 1t serves. II
must not be forgotten that the railroad Is
a public servant In fact as well as IN
name and that the service which it rem
ders depends largely upon the treatment
which II receives from its master.
Must Obey the Law.
But upon what terms is peace TO be
secured? In the past the New Haven
company, which has now become the
dominant factor and which is mainly 60
be considered. has proceeded In open Fio-
lation OF some laws and In disregard OF
the spirit, If not the letter, OF others.
This course upon the part Of that com
pany is primarily responsible for this IN
fortunate agitation. That agitation can
not stop. and ought not to stop, until It's
cause is removed. Any betterment Of
railroad conditions In New England must
begin with the assurance that the New
Haven management will act not only
prudently but, above all, within the letter
and the spirit OF the law
The Panama Canal act OF 1911 requires
the railroads TO relinquish ownership or
control Of steamship lines competing win
their rail lines. The report suggests that
this law disposos Of the matter OF the
New Haven's water lines.
No Opinion on Merger.
The so-called merger between the New
Haven and the Boston & Maine is dis
cussed at length. but no opinion is given
The report observes that Boston mas more
AT stake than all the rest Of New Eng
land. both as a port and as market ana
that whether Boston would be Injured Dy
perpetuatiOn OF the merger would depehu
largely upon whether the corporation
controlling the railroads Of New England
was dominated by Boston or New horA
II adds:
III the New Haven company Is per
mitted to remain In contioi or the bostor
& Maine System there will sXi7t an al
most exclusive monopoly OF the trans
variation facilities by railroad In the
I greater part OF New England. II "ould
seem to be perfectly apparent mat II thiS
/ MONOPOLY is suffered to exist there mus
he somewhere a power OF regulatlo'
! which is co-extensive with The nonopolS
| In other words. the federal government
must assume Jurisdiction over the nam
! tenance and operation Of these railroads
| in so far as may he necessary 10 secure
IN the public a proper service. This IN
vestlsation emphasizes the fact that ser
vice Il often of even greater importance
than the rate itself.
AS criticism OF both freight and passen-
ger service developed. both were consid-
cred. To both the New Haven and TIE
Boston & Maine the report gives credit
for promptitude and general excellence IN
their passenger service. although u ID
aistin.,Iy noted that safety Of operation
has not been considered.
As 10 passenger fares, it IL pointed out