New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-09
CABINET OFFICER
FOR RAILROADS
URGES ELLIOTT
New Haven Head Advo-
Gates Creation of Trans
portation Department.
WOULDHAVE GENERAL
REGULATORY POWERS
Sole Means, He Believes, Tor
Reconciling Conflicting Laws
Which Bar Progress.

Norwich. Conn, April s.-Howard
Elliott. president of the New York
New Haven and Hartford Railroad ad-
vocates a champion for the transpor-
tstion business. this champion to be a
member of the Presidents cabinet as
Secretary Of transportation, depart
ment which should be established at
once. Mr.. Elliott maintains.
This proposition was outlined TO-
r;ob+ nv Mr.. Elliott in an address be-
fore the Chamber OF Commerce anu
members of the Eastern Connecticut
deveIopuent committee. He declared
that transportation was next to agrl-
cplturc in Importance, in volume ana
IN its relation TO the welfare OF the en-
tire country. Hence, he added i
should have a defender in the councils
of the cabinet.
"such an officer" Mr.. Elliott ex-
plained. would have a wholesome bal
ancinr effect between the demands OF
the public and of the regulatory or
panizstions on one side and any errors
of policy or management on the part
Of the owners on the other side
"The present condition Of American
railroads is due in part to an effort on
the part Of the country 20 tx rates
and service by regulation. and at the
same time 70 have them fixed by com
petition. thus creating an almost I'M
POSSIBLE condition, destructive OF re-
suits and values.
ut is a question how far it is to the
nuhlic interest TO apply the so-caIled
antitrust law to the transportation
business. We'll organized. prudently
managed and wisely regulated comol-
nations of railroads may, in the long
mn. produce greater efficiency and ser
vice 10 the public than excessive com
netition. with the resulting duplca-
ton Of facilities and increased eN-
referring 10 the New England rail
road situation, Mr. Elliott sad mat
with conflicting laws IN the d!HerSnI
s.atos u calls attention very torclbly
% H. desirabilitv Of a Federal incor-
noratiou act for those railroads the
majority Of whose business Is 'n'ei
Exclusive Federal jurisdiction over
corporate affairs of finance would not
interfere with the rights OF states IN
matters Of local regulation, he THINKS
and a simplifcation OF the relations
between the railroad and one central
Government agency as 10 corporate anu
financial questions would save a greal
deal of time and energy now used by
officers in appearing before many an
fercnt state organizations. ana give
them much more time 70 devote 10 de-
tails of management and 20 construc,
rive work for efficiency, economy and
improved service to the public
Mr.. Elliott said that the management
&c tho New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad had been trying for. the
last eighteen months TO bring about
better and more stable conditions, but
that while some progress had been
made. il was slow work because Of
many complications and some conflict
ing laws. :
poration act, Mr.. Elliott said. there
should be harmonious Legislation among
the New England States IN order 10
conserve the credit Of the New Haven
road, which "has been weakened by the
events of the last few years.
The New Haven road and ITS SUD
sidiarv the Harlem River q Port Ches-
fer Railroad Company, have no" out
standing, he said, short term notes
amounting to $50, 1904 600, Of whlcA S29'-
399 900 becomes due May l, and the
remainder between that date and Au-
gust !. In addition, the New England
Navigation Company, owned solely by
the New Haven, has S2O,OOO.OOO OF snort
term notes outstanding, due May !,
1917. Under the present laws OF the
three states mentioned, the company
has no legal authority TO dispose OF
this large debt in any way.
Referring 70 compensation for carry
INC the mails, Mr.. Elliott said that the
railroads were underpaid-in the New
Hayen's case 100000 a year for
their services in carrying mail and par
eel post matter
Hartford, Conn, April s Proposed
legislation desired by the New Haven
road to facilitate its rehabilitation was
discussed at hearing to-day before
the Committee on Railroads. A new
bin. drawn by the Public Utilities
Committee. was submitted. Ii con-
forms largely in ITS details TO the law
lust passed I'm Rhode Island and the
bill pending in Massachusetts. The lat
\ ter is based on recommendations OF a
N commission which investigated the
y condition OF the road last year.
Chairman Elliott urged the passage
Of the bill. Il was explained that, IN
substance, the bill provided legislative
limitation Of the existing powers OF
the company A striking section per
mits majority Of the directors TO be-
long in New England, while the pres
ont cbarrcr rcoufrce that majority