The Universal Tobacco Company was incorporated in New Jersey by Samuel L. Pinkerton, Thomas L. Prior, and Wendell J. Wright.

They were at odds over the consolidation of several of these smaller railways, but the main focus was the road of the Newtonville and Watertown.

Winsor, backed by Kidder, Peabody was trying to build his railway which competed directly with Richards plan.

When Winsor launched a negative publicity campaign, the stock of the Newtonville & Watertown began dropping.

Slowly but steadily Richards accumulated these shares, over time giving him complete control of the Newtonville & Watertown road.

It took 5 months of selling this idea but he successfully convinced the public to raise fares from 5 to 6 cents.

Eventually, most would be folded into the Boston Suburban Electric Companies[4] In 1913 the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad commonly referred to as the "New Haven" had been struggling for several reasons: an Interstate Commerce Investigation, an unusually high frequency of wrecks causing great loss of life, poor management, a growing distrust from the public under intensifying criticism, and two lawsuits resulting in the indictment of former president New Haven Charles S. Melee.

This pedigreed group included Arthur T. Hadley of Yale, William Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan of New York.

Richards wanted to either retire the loan, renew it, or float a domestic bond in its place.

Even though the New Haven's balance sheet was looking better since those tenuous days in 1913, most bankers were reluctant to take on a debt this large.

I'll sell the bond issue myself, and it won’t cost the New Haven one cent for commission charges.” The morning after his return from the New York meeting, he got to work calling on his circle of bankers, individuals, trust and insurance companies.

[2] That very same day the company adopted the following minute: "The announcement of the resignation of James L. Richards as Director is received with great regret.

He brought to the board a wealth of business experience and his wise counsel has been invaluable in directing the affairs of this company.

Upon his advice and personal solicitation the banks and industries in the territory of the Company joined with the officers and employees so that the loan was oversubscribed.

Mr Richards was a member of the committee upon whom fell the burden of preparing and consummating a reorganization plan.

"[2] In 1904, at the request of Robert Winsor, Richards was asked to assist Kidder Peabody in the consolidation of a number of smaller Boston gas companies.

Richards was so deeply concerned with customer service he required every single complaint that came in to be put on his desk for follow-up[2] Each objection was countered with the highest visibility of the company's finances, goals, diligence, and commitment and he successfully brought them all together in 1905 under the new moniker, the Boston Consolidated Gas Company.

[5] The very first year Boston Consolidated lowered the retail price of gas, then surprised shareholders with dividend payment.

Just like tobacco, he identified a cheap source, in this case coal from the Fairmont Field in West Virginia,[6] then improved upon and/or streamlined the distribution channels right up to the end user.

Consolidated would then buy many of the service and support companies: steamers, tugs, barges ad coal plants, etc., and in many instances he would design a better alternative than what had been used in the past.

However, on June 30, 1917, ownership changed hands when T-Wharf towing was absorbed to consolidate several commercial enterprises controlled by Massachusetts Gas Cos.

On 21 March 1919 Munalbro decommissioned and was delivered to the United States Shipping Board for simultaneous return to Munson Steamship Lines.

Chapoquoit was developed by Boston business magnate, Charles Henry Jones, and in many cases the homes have remained in the same families for generations.

His philanthropy, although mostly anonymous, was far-reaching, including generous contributions to the Boston Police Dept.