The Connecticut labor news., 1924-04-12
UTILITIES BOARD BOTTLES UP CAUSE
 OF IN. H." WRECK
Bay State Body. Unable to Blame Train or Shopmen for Crash.
 Keeps Mum.

The New Haven road has again demonstrated its influence" with pub lie utilities commissions, long the sub feet of considerable adverse comment in Connecticut and now apparently extending deeply into Massachusetts. A few weeks ago two New Haven trains crashed at Whitinsville, Mass, on the Providence division of the road and 40 or more were seriously injured. At first it was reported many had been killed and "extra" papers were issued and immediately great how-to-do was set up by the Massachusetts util- ities commission to place the respon- sibilfty for the crash.
 The responsibility has apparently been fixed and it's equally apparent that the commission couldn't hang 1t either on the train crew or the strik- ing shopmen for the public utilities commission simply hands out state ment that there was wreck but re- fuses to say what caused it. The story ib well told by the Worcester Labor News as follows:
 Every time that Massachusetts tax payers achieve the experience of hav- ing another commission thrust upon them, the pubilc's rights and ueages seem to become secondary to other considerations that are not always gratifying or profitable to the public. But nevertheless, it's the good, old gull lible public that pays the bills. This observation is called forth by an amaz- ing sample of arrogance and disregard for the public's rights, shown by the Public Utilities Commission which has refused to make public the ins and outs of the train wreck at Whitins- vile on the Providence division of the New Haven railroad.
 There are numerous citizens who carry the conviction that the bureau cratic action of the organization which has from time to time been referred to as the Public Utilities Commission is not performed for benefit of the public which is taxed to pay the salaries of the members but to shield and to camouhage the railroad. The railroad that achieved the recent train wreck is financed by corporation; the commission that is keeping the infor- nation dark is financed by the taxpay- CTS of Massachusetts. But the side of the railroad wins; 1t most always does win when 1t comes to a showdown be- tween Peoples and Railroads inf1u- ence. ThePublic Utilities Commission merely hands out the ukase that the report on the New Haven wreck at Whitinsville will not be made public. Ordinary, lawabiding citizens who obey the authority that we ourselves create, may believe that there is some secret reason, why that report shall not be made public and that whatever it is, the scheme for keeping it dark is fav- orable to the railroad. that produced the wreck.
 There may be evidence that the New Haven was at fault and that evil dence, naturally, would be of value to the 40 or more who were injured, when it comes time to bring the claims before court in lawful manner. This is not the first time that the rights of the public have bene subordinated to the privileges of railroads. Those who hold the belief that the Public Utilities Commission has the interests of the public at heart, are entitled to their opinion"