New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-26

$AsS - - 1sS ~ 49, SW~SSss~
plated express Highway Which capi-
taltsts hope to construct between
New York and Boston.
A. eager - u,est autsists are to
see moro and better Aishvays con-
structed they win find time to Gen.
slider this plan carefully before
yielding consent It may mark the
beginning Of multitude Of toll
highways in New England. AZ well a.
elsewhere: and this at time when
the nation was pretty thoroughly
satisfied to have an end to the toll
highways which once dotted all por-
lions Of the country.
The idea, therefore. il old. Toll
highways existed during a period Of
the nations history when states and
counties did not have the access to
sufficient capital to construct enough
roads. Now We seem to b approach
ing their recrudescence for the same
reason.
The first cost Of the New York
Boston toll highway II estimated at
$s0.00o,00o: but the capitalists be-
hind the venture are said to be pre-
pared to spend $500, ooo,0 900 in order
to accomplish their purpose. IT
would be q four-lane highway, per-
haps stratshter than the existing
highways. and permitting Of higher
speeds. Needless to add. the sup
position is that it will not be subject
to traffic jams and will enable any
autoist in a hurry to make the dis
lance between the two cities quite as
swiftly as the passenger trains do:
the only need for stops will Be at
the points where tolls are paid.
If there must be an exclusive,
high-speed highway between the
two cities-or between any other i'm
portant cities-manifestly it is not
the business OF the states to con-
struct them. a. in such cases they
would not be exclusive and would be
subject to the speed regulations laid
down by law. New York, Connecti-
cut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts,
perhaps could join in constructing
an improved highway between New
York and Boston. but the moment
! it we're completed every autoist
would have the right to pass over it.
and the new road speedily would be-
come traffic. jammed. as Is the pres
ent highway.
! The toll idea seems to be spread
ing. States themselves started 1t. Tho
Bear Mountain bridge charges tolls:
the vehicular tunnel under the Hud-
son is toll proposition; so IL the
great bridge over the Delawa At
Philadelphia. But these state toll
enterprises stop there, and after the
cost of the structures are met from
the tolls over 4 period Of years they
will be toll free. Thus the best in
terests of the public 10 served.
In the case Of = privately owned
toll highway or bridge the element
of profit enters How long is this ele-
ment to exist in the case Of an ex-
press highway such as 10 contem.
plated? This point needs careful
consideration by the Legislature
before permission to such q plan is
granted. The old toll line com panies
were huge profit makers. exactins
tribute from the public for an In
definite period merely because the
original builders we're willing to pro-
vide . public convenience tor public
use.
The profits Of transportation COM
panies nowadays are prudently limit
ed by iaw-aithsugh few happen ia
enjoy the limit allowed. The prin.
cipie. however. 10 sound. A New
York Boston super-hiehway, being a
transportation arm, In the last
analysis should come under the aesis
OF the Interstate Commercs Com
mission rate-makinS functions. Tn.
der the present law this 10 said to b
impossible. although there Ia lkeli-
hood that il such interstate toll en-
terprises become common that Con-
sress will be forced to act and place
this new method Of providing trans.
portation under the same limita-
tions with those more venerable in