Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1920-04-02
TROLLEY LINE,
CHANGES HANDS
Connecticut Co. Takes Over
New London Division of
Shore Line Railway
Samuel Anderson 60 Be Manager
Formerly Lived In Putnam

On Thursday of this week the New
London division of the Shore Line
Electric Railway company reverted to
the Connecticut Company. This di-
vision of trolley roads includes New
London and Norwich local lines and
extends through New London and
Windham counties to the Massachu-
sets state line at Wilsonville, inelud-
ing the Putnam line.
1t is also announced that Samuel
Anderson, formerly manager of the
division, has returned as manager.
Mr. Anderson is we'll known in Put
nam, where he formerly made his
home while with the road. Mr.. An
derson says he has nothing to say just
now as to any changes in the person
mel or system of operation which he
might think it advisable to make, as
he first wants to become familiar with
the conditions as now existing.
The division has been operated by
the Shore Line Company under 80
year lease from the Connecticut Com
pany, but it is now able to give up
this lease by permission of the super
ior court since it went into the hands
If a receiver.
Receivers Statement
In statement issued by Robert w.
Perkins, the receiver appointed by the
court. Mr.. Perkins says in part:
with little margin over actual
operating expenses the Connecticut
oiapany viii be able to spend a lit
lie more money on maintenance of
roadway and rolling stock, give addi-
tional service and provide some more
modern equipment. but it should be
borne in mind that in order to pro-
vide adequate service, and reason
able return on investment, the gross
revenue must be increased and any
change in passenger fares which the
Connecticut Company may find it
necessary to adopt should be accept
ed as AN inevitable consequence of the
increased cost of producing the SER
vice, for, after all, the community
should be more interested in service
than in the price it pays for it pro-
vided that price does not give to the
owners of the property return above
that common to other industries. If
operations do not result in such re-
Turn, service will have to terminate.
Company's Statement
The Connecticut Company has also
issued a statement in which it says in
part:
1.-The direction of affairs will be I'M
der the local supervision of Samuel
Anderson, who filled the position of
m anager of the same properties dur
ing the period of operation by the
Connecticut Company. Mr.. Anderson
needs no introduction to the various
communities as his past record as an
operator is favorably known through
out the territory.
IAN employees must understand
that the problem of giving an ade
ouate service and obtaining sufficient
income to continue operations is
mutual one and that they are just as
much interested for their own welfare
as are the officers for the success of
the undertaking. A courteous atti-
tude to partons and faithful, energet-
ic service and willingness to follow
all rules laid down for their guidance
will be required, and on the other
hand fair treatment will be accorded
by the officers.
at is the intention to install safety
cars for local service in both New
London and Norwich as soon as such
cars, now on order, can be delivered
and operation of all lines will be con-
tinued for the present and until we
have had an opportunity to determine
what changes must be made to meet
the patronage accorded the service.
1.-The prevailing rates of fare will
be continued for time in order to al
low a complete study to be made of
conditions and revenues in various To-
calities. Ample notice will be given
in advance of any changes which may
be required.
eve hope that we may be able to
provide u character Oh SeTsIts- tudt
will invite the patronage of suf-
ficiently large number of passengers
at such rates of fare as will provide
US with funds required to keep the
service going; and as the continued
prosperity of the various communities
depends largely upon the means of
transportation we appeal to the pub
lie for cooperation in our effort to
solve the problem of your street rail-
way"
Look For Jobs Back
..That means Wen all get our jobs
back" was the first expression OF one
of the trolley men when he heard on
Monday night that the Connecticut
Company was to take over the opera
ton of the local lines. He was one of
the strikers who went out on July ID
last when the strike Of trolley line en-
ployes for higher pay put the whole
Shore Line system out of business
Although the strike long ago ceas-
ed to exist as far as preventing the