Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-09
BY TELEGRAPH.
MAnnorH coaas1nB
OF the Southern Pacific. Misscu,i Paci-
nc. ara Atchison evsssms. Planned.

Nxw YoRk. Feb. s.-The news printed
Saturday ,has the matter Of amAlsamating
the Southern Pacific. Missouri Pacific and
A,cbison system had been taken up again
by the largest shareholders 10 the three
companies, and with greater determination
than ever before, MAS surprise 70 many.
Both Huntington. AID MIR. Russell Sage
we're ready TO talk of the proposed console
,latiou, now that the main facts about it
have been made public The trst impor-
iant point to be decided, after all the neces-
sary data as TO earnings and capitalization
has been prepared. will be the basis upon
which the stock Of the several companies
shall be taken into the new concern.
Upon the figures which he has made up
Mr.. Gould has come TO the conclusion that
the Missouri Pacific company should be en-
titled to about 40 per cent. of the stock Of
the consolidated company. He has prob2-
bly, started in at full! figure in order TO
have room for concessions.
The chances are that many weeks. not to
say months. may be required to work out
the problems that will be presented BY the
proposition, but time il really the least
important factor in the situstien. II the
.cheme cannot be carried out uow, Messrs.
wait until il can be
President c. p. Huntington Of the Souh-
ern Pacific Company admitted today that u
plan was being considered for the CONSOLE
cation of the three companies mentioned,
with possibility of ultimately taking in
other roads, bu. he said it was too soon 10
talk much about the matter.
~ have had" he ssid, several confer
-,,&
and both are heartily in favor of consol.-
dation of interests. That Ieednt mean
that there is any intention of merging the
several companies into the ooe big concern
with 4 single name. The point is to arrive
st an understanding Of relative value, so
that each company may be SLOTTED an
equitable share Of the businss, or earnings,
in accordance with its financial standing
and earning power.
II have still confidence that the West
ern Traffic Association will accomplish
something, but, it after a fair trial it
proves failure. we shall try to carry out
the plan referred to, abou. which we have
had number of conferences. You will
notice that it isn't radically different from
the percentage plan provided for in the
agreement Of the Western Traffic Associs-
ton; only it goes further and settles ire
vocably the matter of relative standing of
the companies, and it practically makes
them members of q single family.
The advantage OF this is self-evident. 1t
will introduce marked stability into the
rate situation, and the Interpretation of the
tariff will be very simple. 1t will not re-
quire an army Of agents to fix it up one
month and knock it over the next. There
will clearly be no use for half the forces
now maintained by the several companies.
You nigh. compare it to government man.
sgement, for there would be no disturbing
factors within the territory covered"
But won't such combination provoke
public opposition aud hostile legislation
asked the reporter.
~ think not" said Mr.. Huntington, "for
there is no intention of raising the rates.
On the contrary they would 90 down. We
should save the money now wasted in fight
ing one another, retrsnch expenses. and
rates would be held At tariff. One Of the
greatest advantages would be that the
shipper who has 100 pounds to carry would
receive as fair show as the merchant with
hundred car leads. As things are now
the small fry stand no chance"