ABSTRACT
Late in July, 1907, there was appointed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a commission on commerce and industry. Its duties were to “investigate the present condition and future possibilities of investment in the commonwealth, the present condition and future possibilities of transportation and facilities connected with it, of manufactures, of industries” and to consider legislative, executive or other measures for the exploitation and development of the industries of that commonwealth. Having only until January, 1908, in which to complete its deliberations and make a report to the general court, the commission evidently was compelled to direct its activities along one or two important lines of investigation. The most burning topic of the time was that of the future relations between the New York, New Haven and Hartford and the Boston and Maine Railroad systems—the two great systems of New England. Accordingly this topic was chosen.
