Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-27

Boston. Sept. GA plea by the
directors of the Maine Central Rail-
road for merger of that road with
the New York Central lines. by an
excision of the Boston and Names
Worcester, Nashua and Portland di-
vision, was made at the third day
of the Interstate Commerce Com
missions railroad consolidation
hearings here today.
Commissioners Hall, Eastman and
Cox are hearing arguments for and
against the proposal of the joint New
England railway committee for a
grouping of roads within New Eng
land excepting the Boston and AL
bany and Canadian owned lines) as
against consolidation with trunk
lines west of the Hudson.
There are decided objections to
trunk line plans which include the
Maine Central with the Boston and
Maine or with both the Boston and
Maine and the New Haven" the di-
rcctors' statement, read to the COM
missioners by Morris Mcdonald,
president of the Maine Central. as
serted. These plans offer no APP
preciable opportunity for improving
the conditions now prevalent, either
by relief to the Maine Central in the
form OF car supply or by the more
prompt movement of through traffic.
"A system independent of trunk
lines interests is also Objectionable.
Competition within New England
would cease 3. Nor would the
bargaining power of New England
system necessarily be the means OF
obtaining increased revenue through
divisions (of revenue received from
trunk line traffic. >. Any re-
duction in local rates would also
be quite improbable. and to support
such an independent system even
higher rates might be required"
The directors then pointed out
that Maine was the only New Eng
land state which did not have direct
connections with the trunk lines at
the Hudson River, "a situation lit
tie appreciated" The proposal for
uniting the Maine Central with the
New York Central by taking over
the section of the Boston and Maine
ITO relieve the Boston and Maine
of this line would not mean seri-
Gus ACKNOWLEDGMENT of its system,
the statement continued.
1T makes for economy in operation,
gives the State OF Maine it's own
direct line to the Hudson River and
opens the avenue for an adequate
car supply. - It takes moth
ing from the public. - We
respectfully urge this plan as the
only one which will adequately meet
the needs of this large and important
territory"
The rest of the days proceedings
, were taken up with the submission
of data by George H. Eaton. general
traffic manager of the Maine Gen.
trail, purporting to show Names i'm
por:ance TO the rest of New Eng
lanC in industry and agriculture and
its right to special consideration
from the Interstate Commerce Com
| mission.
In the morning session. endorse
ment of the New England consoli-
dation, as recommended by the joint
New England railway committee
was presented by representatives OF
the chambers of commerce OF
Brockton. Holyoke, New Bedford
Salem. Fitchburg, Amesbury. Lowell
and Maiden. and the Holyoke traffic
bureau, There was testimony slml-
lar to that given in previous ses-
sions that motor trucking concerns
were making heavy inroads upon
the freight business and revenues OF
New England railroads.
The three commissioners Joined
the traffic experts and railway off,
Gals in laughter when Richard Bill
ings. president of the Woodstock
Railway. Of Vermont answered
Commissioner Eastman's question
How many locomotives has your
road" with:
Two. your Honor.-but they're
mighty good ones"
His road, which he said was just
1850 miles long. with IAN additional
10 of mile into joint station o!
the Central Vermont and the Boston
and Maine" Mr.. Billings described
as fitting logically into the Boston
and Maine system.
But in view of the roads pres
emf weakened condition" he added
. Il hesitate to apply for admission
The hearings are expected to con-
tinue throughout the week. The
three commissioners must then &c
TO New York for other business bnt
will leave Examiner Thomas p
Healy behind to take additional
testimony, IL conditions warrant.