Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-30
Coolidge Speaks for Mager 0fRaIfOads
Gives His Ideas of the Solu- ton of Serious Problems of
 Railroads in New England.

Boston, Dec. 29.-Consolidation of the New England railroads into one system or with trunk lines that tap this section wasNsuggested by Governor Coolidge, vice president-eiect tonight, to remedy their troubles. He was speaking at the an- nual banque- of the foreign and domes- tic commerce commissions of New Eng land.
 The present condition of the railroads in this section is serious, the governor said He quoted a recent statement to he interstate commerce commission that at the current level of rates, wages and prices the roads would show a deficit be- low fixed charges of s19,000,000 for the year ending June 30 next If the busi- ness of the previous twelve-month were repeated
 Referring to the request for relief now pending before the commission, Governor Coolidge added that even if our roads | received all they are asking it is doubt | ful if it would be sufficient to rehabili- tate their credit"
 Tn the last analysis" he continued. ] "the New England public themselves will have to determine whether they desire an | adequate transportation system and if
 they do it will be necessary for them to
 meet the burden of supporting it. There are chances for some econom-
 ies. Each dollar saved on a ton of coal
 on the basis of the consumption of last year means $5.O00, 0,000. Materials and
 supplies are showing some reduction in cost. Efficiency in operation is improv-
 ing. The transportation act provided that 1 wages should be fixed by the labor board l and any liquidation here is not likely private industry but must be made in ac. cordance with the provisions of the act
 made to avoid transpor .ation interrup. tion. ao
 The transportation act provides fol
 consultations, seemingly for the pur.
 peso of joining together lines which com
 prise parts of important through routes
 but before such consultations take place
 the rights of each road and the amour
 it is to receive as the full measure Of
 return on is value should be definitely
 established. The New England public
 which must after all support the rail
 roads, must give this subject careful at
 tention
 There is an opportunity for a New England system and there are opportuni , ties for Combinations giving several grea trunk lines access to N.w England. I is not my purpose to discuss the relative
 desirability of any of these proposals bu rather to direct the attention of the Nev England public to the necessity of inform ing itself and the necessity of the preser ! vation of it's rights.
 : Although about to retire from office : it is my earnest recommendation that tn joint New England conference on foreig1 and domestic commerce immediately a ; the beginning of the next political yea , cause to be held conference of tn
 governors and interested parties for tn
 purpose of informing themselves and tn
 public and deciding on a policy that vii n provide adequate transportation for tn
 industrial needs of the New Englan
 states.
 This is in no sense a suggestion tha . any part of the nation should he disre & garded New England has training. abil ity and skill to perform very great ser n vices for the ation as whole It hast
 right to demand adequate facilities flo s the performance of these services, nc e from a narrow or self=h point of viev e but for the general welfare of the whol a nation. as patriotic Americans desirin j. national prosperity it is the duty of Ne
 England enterprise to secure for itse' l. from the rest yF the nation. an opportun :, ty to develop itself. to maintain itse e and serve to the extent of it's ability tn d industrial and economic needs of Amer n CO.,"