New Britain herald., 1923-08-17
URGES COMBINING
into ONE SYSTEM
Boston Chamber Of Commerce On
Rail Situation


the New England railroad situation
lies In the financial rehabilitation of
the roads and their consolidation into
one New England system.
Such is the essence of recommends
tons made to the board of directors
of the Boston Chamber of Commerce
by the chambers special committee
on New England Railroad policy. This
committee has been working on New
England railroad problems since
June, 1922.
The chairman Of the committee is
Homer Loring, head of the Massachu-
sets state commission on administra-
ton and finance. Also he is a d.
rector of the Boston Chamber of
Commerce and chairman of its COM
mittee on transportation.
The other members of the special
committee are. Edward ]. Frost of
William Filene's Sons company,
Charles H.. Jones of the Common
wealth Shoe and Leather company,
and John r. Macomber of Harris
Forbes and Company, Inc.
In recommending the establishment
of a New England railroad system
(Which would not include the Boston
d Albany and the G. 7. System
lines), this committee reported
strongly against tying New England
lines with the Trunk lines. 1t rec
commended thatythe chamber oppose
any form of Trunk line control.
The specific recommendation made
to the directors by the committee are:
"(a) that the chamber urge the Inter-
state Commerce Commission to adopt
a plan for the consolidation into one
New England system of all New Eng
land railroads except the Boston &
Albany and G.. T. System lines. (b)
that the chamber support the general
principles of the New England gov
ernors' committee plans for the re-
Mobilization of the New England lines.
(c) that the chamber oppose any
form of Trunk line control"
The directors of the chamber have
unanimously approved the commit
tees report. Also they have decided
to have a mail referendum among
the 1900 members of the chamber on
the questions involved in this matter.
Consolidation Results
At the outset of its report to the
directors, the special committee stat
ed that any consolidation plan for the
New England railroads should;
protect New England industries in
respect to both rates and service.
Insure the continuance of all pres
ent transportation routes.
Restore railroad credit so that adj
ditinps and ,prnvenoepfc NAV he.
financed promptly.
Safeguard SO far as is possible the
value of the securities of the New
England railroads."
aAfter considering the various con-
solidation plans the committee con-
cluded that Trunk line control would
not conserve the best interests of
New England"
I'VE; do not believe" stated the
committee, "that with such control a
satisfactory rate structure would be
maintained or that adequate transpor
alton service could be given over the
limited number of routes that would
remain open to the shipping public.
New England is particularly sensi-
tive to any changes in the adjustment
OIL TeldtlNe rates. COHSLdHL NlSllduCS
is required to keep the rates of New |
England industries fairly related to
those of other sections of the coun-
try. A further extension of Trunk
line control Of New England roads
would impair opportunities and weak
en- the commercial standing of New |
England industries, and should, there
fore, be opposed"
Trunk Line Control
After discussing the arguments of |
those who favor Trunk line control, |
the committee stated ITO us it |
81 ems clear that Trunk line control |
would practically end all advantages |
which New England now enjoys via
these differential routes, and via many |
OF the gatcways now open to New
industries. Obviously the |
main reason for Trunk lines acquir-
ing control of New England railroads
would be to control the routing of
freight. This would mean, as has
been pointed out, the speedy destruc-
ton of the rail differential routes. 1t
Is commended that these routes could
be kept open by an order of the In
terstate Commerce commission, but
traffic men do not &C
cept this view. You cannot overcome
the rights of ownership or control by
official order. If these routes were
not Immediately closed, lack of bust