New Britain herald., 1925-01-29
RAILROAD TERMINALS
 AND PRESTIGE

The Pennsylvania railroad station in New York City is "a monument to the rcnown Of the Pennsylvania railroad" Of its original cost, s59,- 0oo,ooo has been written off by the railroad as unproductive.
 There are those who have vcn- turcd to think that the great ter minal was all enterprise for profit. It is clear that those who did so cid not take the trouble to do a little figuring,
 Before the terminal was built the Pennsylvania already had access to New York City over ferries. Busi- ness was good as the times afforded. The railroad was a fine property paying dividends long before the station on the mainland of Manhat- tan was ever thought of.
 The station was built to enable the railroad to be on the same foot ing as the New York Central for passenger service. After the Penn sylvania expended an enormous sum 0 construct the terminal the chief competitor likewise spent a huge sum for finer station. Both rail- roads are now on the same footing on Manhattan, but has the Penn sylvania obtained sufficient addi- tlonal business away from the New York Central to pay for the new terminal? Hardly.
 Of course, the Pennsylvania has gained in prestige 10 the south, and obtains a greater percentage of the business to Philadelphia than 1t did before; but the Philadelphia and Reading and the Jersey Central are still in business and paying good dividends,
 Had the Pennsylvania not been such huge going concern, the con- struction of such terminal would have well-nigh bankruptcd it. Such a thing would not have been the | first time that a railroad did some | thing of the kind. When the Baltl- l more and Ohio constructed its line from Baltimore 10 Philadelphia, in retaliation for the Pennsylvania $ construction of a linc from Balt- more to Washington during the i Civil war, the E. x o. bought a right Of way through expensive buiIt-up. territory in Philadelphia; nnd even d gas works had to be moved. When the new spur was completed the railroad hadn't enough in it's treasury to buy Q meaI fer the president and the debts were high.
 When the Wabash railroad man, ogcmcnt went wild about getting into Pittsburgh, against the com liDcd opposition of the Pennsylvania ,,uI Da1tir,orr and Ohio, which D! this time were cooperating. as the! do to q considerable extent today inc Wabash got a right of wa! through bmiIt-up territory, an' b,1iIt q fine station in Pittsburgh which stands 10 this day, They cal if inc "cnapel in that city-scarce " any passengers are ever seen Il it. It is the most lamcn'abIe con trjIuti2n to American rairoading The Wabash never recovered l It N,v York Central got into Pitts burgh l,y anneNing an cs'aoIl"he' small Hue. las mediocre Stallo' and does a rushing business Dl roronc"- in management go q I0nI way in rai'roahng.
 From a financial standpoint Ill construction Of great expensive ter minaIs Frequently is doubtful pro reIurc; but as for adding to th
 prestige of a railroad, they must b
 counted successful Prestige l'N
 pood will IS worth money; but ho'
 much it is hard o determine.
 And NC might add that right
 <rv Britain 'he passenger staH"
 Of ,ho Nv Haven ..ine is no m9HO
 mont 10 its prestige. .