New Britain herald., 1914-04-21
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1 that the directors do not have the l backbone to stand out for fair play l and against injustice. l do not hke to submit to this injustice. Il own property in Turkey but do not have l to watch it as l do what little 1 own in this country. This country too, is civilized and Christian. It looks to me as if the government is bound to try and take away and dis tribute what little man may earn l through hard labor" Turning to the directors MT. Bogi- gian said that he presumed they did the best they could, but it was too bad that they had to sacrifice so ! much.
 Pleas For Ratification. MT. Durand of Great Harrington, Mass, said he represented S4S shares of stock which cost himself and his wife at least $200 a share. He had respect for those who think the government has persecuted the road and respect for those who criti- else the past management of the property. But he felt that the stock holders should now stand by those in authority and ratify the agreement which has been made by the officers with the department of justice.
 MT. Durand made plea for rati- fication pointing out that public opinion, the temper of the people and drift of legislation have all contribut- ed to the conditions which are now being forced. MT. Durand said that he believed in railroad monopoly in New England; he believed that the idea of absolute monopoly of the New Haven road in New England was a sound one because of its economic aspect But under the policy pur- sued by the government, he said, this has become impossible.
 MT. Durand said he believed the government had been prosecuting the road and demanding everything possible. The directors, he believed, had made the best bargain possible and he asked If hope would be held out for a more favorable decree if the matter went into the courts. MT. Durand urged that the agreement be heartily ratified. What we want for the New Haven road is rest and the opportunity to attend to restoration of the property" said MT. Durand in closing.
 But what if they doc" he asked. "Is not the New Haven road, the main trunk line, left? Will not all these members taken away have to continue {. to feed the main line? Will not the grist still come to the big hopper
 Predicts Good Times.
 MT. McCljntock said that if the case got into court no one would know It might be forced to $1o a share, and then other people, not the present stockholders. would be picking up the stock. He predicted that the good cid times would come for the road.
 We have been wandering for years. It is a good idea to come back to our old position he concluded.
 Benjamin Silverthau, recognized, took the floor, after MT. Elliott had said that he was registered stock holder. MT. Silverthau said he un- derstood railroading, and offered a. $5,000 gold medal to any one who could prove that he was not one of the best informed on trolley matters in the country. Laughter greeted tHIS, ana aIter ne began to tell aDOut the splendid development of the road, the cheapness of it's rates, the audience began to get restive and tried to drown out what he said.
 Makes Rambling Address.
 Patrick Murray of New Haven, made rambling address in which he spoke of Sodom and Gomarrah, Dan- iel in the Lions Den, the Roman em- pire, the fall of nations on the Med iterranean, and had just touched upon Irish history when Chairman Elliott suggested that he confine his remarks to the question. MT. Mur- rays closing remarks were drowned by noise.
 Maurice Spier of New Haven, said that several speakers had been crit icising the government. He believed that praise should be given the gov ernment. If it had not done what it had, what would stockholders have had left? He declared that the ad- ministration should not be criticised. It had named only one member of the interstate commerce commission. Several members were named by MT. Taft, and if they are against the New Haven road the present administIh- tion should not be held to blame.