Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-08
WHAT ABOUT NAMES RAIL.
ROAD INTERESTS?

ouk 4OdoOlo ohooAo SOhoAASA sAAS
report Of the address of Hon. George
E. Macomber before the directors of
the Augusta Chamber of Commerce,
Friday. Mr.. Macomber, as all know.
tsia level headed. successful business
man, in every way interested in the
welfare Of Maine, whose opinion of
such matters, as that Of the proposed
consolidation Of railroads, is es-
pecially valuable. His endorsement
Of the plan proposed by President
Mcdonald of the Maine Central Rail-
road will have great weight on the
opinion of people who know him and
are aware of the exceptional oppor-
tunities he has had for appraising
all the conditions of the situation.
Not only is he interested in and &C
quainted with the affairs Of the
Maine Central Railroad but likewise
with the needs Of our shippers Of
merchandise and the needs Of the
public in the matter Of transporta-
ton.
Maine railroads a trunk line and I'M
interrupted traffic. to New York City
and the Middle West, by the way of
the Portland and Worcester route,
now a part of the Boston &, Maine
system but which the Interstate
Commerce Commission has authority
to make a part of the Maine system,
connecting with the Boston & Albany
and New York Central. This. it is
claimed with reason would simplify
rate making, would avoid delays
and costs of passing through Bos-
ton, and embargoes, but in no way
would prevent shipment that way or
interfere with travel as it now eX-
lists. 1t would take from our ship
pers no advantage which they now
enjoy but would provide some, it is
claimed, which might not be OBJ
tanned under the proposed New Eng
land system.
1t will be recalled that a very ex-
haustive report of The Joint New
England Railroad Committee to the
Governors Of New England, known
as the Storrow report, made last
June favored New England system
of roads as opposed to trunk line
systems, but while the Maine Com
mittee concurred in the findings and
conclusions Of the report in respect
of the choice between proposed plans
of railroad consolidation it yet was
off, the opinion that Names interests
swould be adversely affected by the
adoption of any form Of consolida-
ton considered by the committee.
The New Hampshire committee did
not favor any consolidation at the
present time; and expressed the
opinion that the two major New
England railroads can obtain sub
stantial rehabilitation by the plan
then follow they should be with
trunk lines. That committee also
noted the efficiency of service on the
Boston & Albany, which is controlled
dence that there is nothing to fear
from outside control in that direc-
ton.
The Storrow report favored plac-
ing, for rehabilitation purposes, the
Boston & Maine and the New Haven
under the control Of public trustees
for a period, but, of course, could
offer no guaranty that the period
might not be continued or that the
public might not be called upon to
subsidize, in remission Of taxes and
possibly in ether ways, these roads.
The Maine public is in no way re-
sponsible for the financial condition
of-these roads and may naturally
hesitate to endorse any plan under
which our roads would be compelled
to contribute to their rehabilitation,
Maine people have no cause what
ever for confidence in public man
agement Of railroads, by state or by
national governments. They have
seen their railroads suffer under
Federal management, they have come
TO understand that the prosperity Of
their railroads is matter vital to
their own prosperity. This knowl-
edge will incline them to favor a
policy approved by the judgment Of
those managing the Maine railroads.