Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-06
Says Massachusetts,
P u lie Utilities
Department
Taking Management Elsewhere
Would Lessen Influence of
Those Who Support Roads
and Understand Peculiar
Problems Machinery AL
ready Exists

Boston, Jan. 5-Control of the
New England transportation lines
should be restored to the New Eng
land states as district and not
given over to outside trunk lines, in
the opinion Of the Massachusetts
department of public utilities. which
made it's annual report to the legis-
lature today.
1--WE doubt the necessity of sur
rendering the control of New Eng
land railroads as has been suggest
ed to the great trunk lines" the re-
port said. We have faith that if
the opportunity Is given by Con-
gress to the people of New England
to conduct their own affairs and
maintain the utility vital to their
prosperity, this will not be necessary.
In the last analysis. the roads in
New England must be maintained
by the money of the people of New
England, the same as the bridges.
highways and every other means of
intercommunication herein must
primarily be supported by the peo-
pie thereof. The giving up of the
ownership and the control of the
New England transportation systems
to those who have little or no inter-
est in New England and no special
knowledge of New England's prob
lens and requirement will in no way
relieve the burdens imposed upon
the people of New England in their
support. but will materially impair
the influence of our inhabitants as to
the manner in which they shall be
operated and maintained.
I'VE believe that the solution of
the difficulties of the New England
transportation lines will be found
by joint action of the NcwEngland
states looking toward a restoration
by the federal government to the
New England states as a district of
the substantial control of the rail-
roads, including rates, maintenance
operation and working conditions,
and leaving to New England the re-
sponsibilty of providing the means
for adequately financing the road.
Surely the guarantee of the oblga-
tions of the railroads ought not to
be undertaken on any lesser basis.
"EXperience under federal opera
ton and under the present drastic
powers given the Interstate Com
merce Commission by the sranspor-
tation act convinees us that in any
event there should be co-ordina-
ton of federal and state regulation
of carriers. We believe that a proper
equilibrium between national and
local interests cannot be established
and maintained without decentral-
ization of federal control. The Fed
eral Reserve Bank system has met a
similar situation admirably and
might we'll serve as model. A re-
gional board for New England. I'M
der the supervision of and with an
appeal to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. could deal more init
mately, directly and Understandings
with local conditions than can body
at Washington, however diligent and
conscientious, burdened with the en-
tire transportation problems of the
nation.
"This would check the present de-
rlorable tendency toward a complete
centraliza ton and would give the
carriers and people Of each region
wholesome responsibilities and real
opportunities to solve what are es-
sen.ially their own problems. More
over the machinery for carrying out
such regional jurisdiction already ex-
lists and only requires federal legisla-
ton to make it available for the
purpose"