Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-25
Is a New England Trans :
portatiOn Commission
And State Representation on
The Directories Of Railroads.
Will Present Matter, Today, at the
Eaasi Conference OF Governors.

Boston, Jan. 24.-The solution of
New Englands transportation trouble
is TO be found. in the opinion of Gov
ernor Foss, in the creation of New
England transportation commission
and state representation on railroad
directories The Governors views
are expressed in a letter addressed to
the New England Governors, who are
to meet here, tomorrow, for trans
portation 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 develop
ment. We Of New England have this
oYershadoWing question in common,
and the suggestion has been repeated
ly made that we might make greater
progress toward its solution by more
cooperation between the New Eng
land states.
When we see the limitations upon
the. powers of our state commissions,
aEfInEs separately in such fundamental
{ !Esssas the cooperate powers Of
Eaa lines we see the common
I'D of New England have in
hon ID, our situation as a whole
land IN the decisions against us on
the matter pfspur Gifferentials. we of
New England Afe our common danger
f&Qf being ignofHa in national councils.
To the a.exfAnt that New England
SnaturalIy stsn1ds. apart from The rest
pr the country we must inevitably
,s,and tosether
suggestion would be that we
might ind 4 way to establish per
maneflt board with The power of all
~y1nr states behind 1t. Could we not
Constitute the six chairmen of the
coifmlssions having power over trans
posfation in their states as a New
Enghnd Transportation Commission
The fundamental difficulty In the pres
enf stnationis that we have one railroad
system covering all New England. which
z, We are attempting to regulate hg six sep
arate commissions
Ny tiea Is that the scope of the work
OF this New England transportation COM
missdon should be broad The commits
sion should call upon the railroads 10
presile such facilities for the service of
NdWSEngIand as they may decide 10 be
requisite; they should also determine
Whether New England rates are upon a
proper basis and use their influence 10
fnake the rates in and out Of New Eng
uand favorable to the development of this
region
connection Herewith the financing
Il Of these improvements must necessarily
be considered; and the general policy of
The states in regard to the railroads
should be discussed
II may be said that the orders Of this
New England transportation commission
cannot be given the force OF law: but This
commission would prove to be very for
midable board to deal with. No corpora
ton would dare to disregard instructions
from body made up of the executive
heads of the state commissions: and the
recommendations of such a board ought
TO insure Identical legislation in the va
rious Legislatures. 1t would have behind
It's decisions the virtual authority of the
SIX commissions, to say nothing of the
united opinion of the six states.
NO one believes more strongly than
In the practice of regulation, but | am
not at all sure that regulation alone will
solve our New England problem where
we are absolutely dependent for our pros
perlty upon single railroad system
am inclined to believe that we mus
insist upon having voice in the man.
agement by the appointment of n certain
NUMBER OF directors. in order to feel Sc.
cure of our future"
New York, Jan. 24.-E. H. Fitzhugh
who resigned. yesterday. as president
OF the Central Vermont Railroad les.
titled. today, as a witness for the gov
eminent before the federal grand Jury
investigating the New England trans
portation situation. 1t is understood HI
VIII remain here for time as expert
assistant to the government ATTORNEYS
who are trying to reindict officers o.
the New York, New Haven q Hart.
ford and the Gro nd ,r.n,,,l. n. Ill.,. -