The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-01-08
f. l. A 1 r, M d.
Friday Morning, Sc. Janu
The RumOred Sale of the Maryland
Central Railroad

The RumOred Sale of the Maryland
Central Railroad.
A report was in circulation in Bel Air and
at other points along the line of the Mary
land Central Railroad, on New Years day +,
that our little narrow-gauge railroad had
been sold to the Baltimore and Ohio COM
pany. The report, it was learned the next
day, was untrue, having grown out of the
fact, probably, that Mr.. Robert Garrett, Presi.
dent of the Baltimore and Ohio, recently pur-
chased large amount of Maryland Central
railroad bonds belonging to the estate of the
late Oliver G. Zell, of Baltimore, The bonds
purchased by Mr.. Garrett, it is stated, con-
sisted of about 1857 600 of the first Mort
gage bonds, and $22 900 of the second mort
gage bonds While this purchase will not
give MIR. Garrett control of the Maryland
Central, it makes him an important factor
in the affairs of the road.
The Maryland Central may eventually
pass into the hands of the Baltimore and
Ohio or the Pennsylvania Central 1t would
seem 10 persons unfamiliar with railroading
that the Maryland Central might be made of
more use to the Pennsylvania company than
to the Baltimore and Ohio. The Pennsyl-
vania, by extending their Philadelphia and
Baltimore Central Railroad to Bel Air and
widening the gauge of the Maryland Central
would have another complete line between
Baltimore and Philadelphia, passing through
region much more attractive, as regards nat
ural scenery, than the route traversed by the
the rival lines south of it. The road-bed and
ties of the Maryland Central are sufficient
for broad-guage road, and Engineer Pleas
ants, under the direction of the receiver Mr..
j. C.Wrenshall, has been reducing the curry es
and Strengthening tho road so that with
very little work it could be adapted to the
standard gauge. Besides, the terminal facli-
ties OF the Maryland Central at Baltimore,
would be more valuable to the Pennsylvania
road than to any other, since, if the road
were widened it could be made to connect
at North avenue with the Northern Central
tracks.
AS a broad gauge road passing through our
Deer Creek and Thomass Run region it
would pay handsomely in local freight and
travel, and railroad magnates seem to have
reached the conclusion that the day is COM
ing, if 1t is not already here, when rail
road companies must look to local freight
and traffic as a source of profit.
If the Baltimore and Ohio Company be-
comes the owner of our narrow gauge road
they might find it a convenient means of
reaching the Reading coal fields and there
by place them on more equal terms with the
Pennsylvania road in hauling coal.
Itseems reasonable to suppose that the
Maryland Central road will some day be sold
and the people of Hartford county are deeply
interested in knowing into whose hands it
will fall.
The Baltimore Sun, in noticing the report
ed sale ofthe Maryland Central bonds to the
Baltimore and Ohio Company, says:
The object Of this move, itissupposed, is to give
the Baltimore and Ohios Philadelphia and New
York branch an entrance into Baltimore without
going to the enormous expense of building an
elevated road from the eastern limits to the
Central would be made a broad-gauge road that
tracks would be laid from somewhere in the
nelBnDOrnOOQ OF relay station, the Baltimore
and Ohio to connect with the Maryland Central
a few miles from the city, and that connection
would be made with the Philadelphia and New
York Branch from Bel Air. Hartford county, or
some point nearer Baltimore. The advantage of
this route over the elevated road. it was stated.
would be not only in the cost, but also in the
greater conveniences that would be afforded the
travelling public. The northern part of the city
is rapidly developing and will in less than ten
years, 1t was said, be the most advantageous place
for railroad stations. 1t was argued that Camden
station would correspondingly decrease in i'm
portance and probably sink from notice after the
manner of President Street Station.
According to the plans laid out by those who
believe that the Baltimore and Ohio will adopt
this route, freight traffic will be transferred
across the harbor to and from Locust Point The
Maryland Central has charter right west of the
west bank of Joness falls to Gay street. This
right 1t was said, could be made of great benefit
to the Baltimore and Ohio, as it would enable
pennsylvania system. 1t will be remembered
that it was reported two years ago that the Bati-
more and Ohio had bought some ground in the
neghborhood OF Bdde and Calvert streets The
TACT that surveys have been made somewhat in
accordance with the plans mapped out above is
considered confirmation of the reports.
1t may be a matter of interest to the large num-
Der of creditors of the Maryland Central to know
what effect this change would have upon their
claims, as 1t is held by many that recent deci.
sion OF the higher courts give bills for supplies
precedence over any other Indebtedness and
make them a first lien on all property OF the
company. The Maryland Central Is now in the
hands of receiver. If the change described
takes place tits said that Vice President Spencer
of the Baltimore and Ohio, will take place OF
the present receiver.
A.