The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-01-07
Government Will State It's
Attitude Toward the New
Haven Railroad
SEPARATION FROM i
BOSTON & MAINE
If Road Fights Proceedings VIII
Be Instituted by Government Under
the Antitrust Act.

WASHINGTON. Jan. = - The New
York, New Haven and Hartford rail
road and the department Of justice had
reached the point in their negotia-
tions last night where it was practi-
cally certain that the final policy of
the government toward that road will
be announced within the next 48i
hours If the New Haven agrees to a
complete reorganization, which will in
sure the restoration of what the de
partment considers fair measure of
competition in the field of New Eng
land transportation, il win be allowed
to pursue its plans for such a reor-
ganization practically unmolested by
the government. If the railroad pre-
fers to fight, Attorney-G cneral Mercy
nolds will institute proceedings as
soon as possible under the antitrust
act to divorce the New Haven from its
steamship, trolly and railroad holdings.
Unofficial predictions last night IA
vored the peaceful! plan and it was the
general belief that unless some unfore
seen problem arises today, announce
ment of an agreement would he made
during the present week The conf
dent feeling that the New Haven and
the department viii arrive at sola-
tion of their difficulties which will
avoid a long struggle in the courts.
followed an alldav conference between
Howard Elliott. chairman of the board
Of the railroad. and Attorney -Gencral
McReynoIds AMI T. w Gregory ana
Jesse G. Adkins. special assistants to
| the attorney general. in charge Of this
case. Mr.. Elliott announced last night
that he expected 70 remain ia Wash
ington until tomorrow, ami while ho
Will not be in consultation with lie
! partment officials today, he viii be in
! close touch with the situation and viii
/ be called upon to give his views upon
any developments.
1t was said last night that thc ne
gotiations had reached the stage where
Mr. Gregory might he expected to pass
upon tentative proposals for an agree
ment which would follow the lines laid
/ down III the telephone trust ease
/ AMI which would accomplish the ends
I desired hy the department without re-
4 sort 10 conrt proceedings To satisfy
the department the NeU Haven must
agree:
10 rclinquiSh control over the bo~-
ton y Maine railroad ami 10 cancel its
/ Joint agreement with the New Work
I Central Tor the operation Of the Bos
+. ton \ Albany; to dispbse ot It's trDliv
4 lines in New England ana its steam
ship lines operating between New Work
and points ON Long Island sound and
I New York aud Boston and southern
ports and Boston BY semi official an.
nouneement, directors OF the road have
practically disposed of the first two
I propositions. To comply with the pro
visions of the Panama canal act. the
New Haven must dispose of its steam
ship lines by June /. The interstate
commerce commission was clothed with
power by law to enforce this provision
and, although it so far has made no
order. it may be expected any day.
The question of the trolv lines has
been one point which troubled both
the department and Chairman Elliott
but it was understood that no serious
obstacle had arisen during yesterday 5
discussion There was Il suggestion
that the New Haven might adopt tho
plan announced in connection with the
Boston & Maine and put its trolly line.
in the hands of trustees, who would
operate them for a stated period anc
then dispose Of the stock to other par
ties.
There has been no disposition on tn,
part Of the attorney general or his as
sistants to bring up in the discussion
with Mr.. Elliott the question of crimi
nal proceedings against former New
Haven officials or directors Thi
matter will not be affected by an,
agreement for "A reorganization ant
will be settled after the present prob
lem has been solved.