The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-27
STUPEND0US ALLIANCE.
The Boston and Maine and the Read
ing Systems Joined.
THROUGH TRUNK LINE TO WEST
How One of the Biggest Railroad Combi-
nations Ever Attempted was Brought
About, what IL Is and What It May
Mean for New England shippers.

Boston, Oct. 27.-A big consolidation
OF railroad interests was consummated in
Boston yesterday, the result of important
negotiations that have been going on for
several months. The important develop
ments which have been expected In Bos-
ton and Maine have come. President
Archibald Mcleod Of the Philadelphia
and Reading railroad has been elected
president of the Boston and Maine rail-
read, and an alliance entered, into be-
tween those roads, which is little short
OF a consolidation. The change was
effected as follows:
William T. Hart, a director of the Bos-
ton and Maine, sent his resignation to the
board at the meeting yesterday. The va
cancy was filled by the election OF Archt-
bald A. Mcleod, president OF tho Phila-
delphia and Reading railroad.
President FRANK Jones OF the Boston
and Maine railroad then in few chosen
words rendered his resignation, and Mr..
Mcleod was unanimously elected to the
presidency OF that corporation. The
position of chairman of the board of di-
rectors was created, and Mr.. Jones was
chosen that official, being charged with
the executive management OF the Boston
and Maine system as heretofore.
This shows how intimate the relations
of the Boston and Maine and Reading
systems will be from now on.
The Reading road and allied lines will
distribute its enormous merchandise and
coal traffic into New England over the
Boston and Maine system. Boston Will
be made the centre of its distribution.
How IL Went Through.
For some time minor details of the
new relationship have been under con-
sideration; but they were not fully form
ulated until last Monday, when Presi-
dent Mcleod met representatives of the
Boston and Maine Railroad in New York
and matters were brought to a satisfac-
tory conclusion. For several months
this alliance has been under consideration
by Mr.. Mcleod, who, at the earnest So
licitation of parties interested in Boston
and Maine, was reluctant to take
upon himself cares and responsibilities
other than those now resting upon hIn.
But after looking over the situation
carefully, and believing that such an al
lance would be greatly to the advantage
of both properties, he decided to take
hold and to give whatever assistance he
could to the practical development and,
he trusts, the successful op arations of the
property. After he arrived at this de-
term nation he enlisted many OF his
friends and associates OF large means,
whose financial strength will be of great
benefit to the property.
Those Expenditures Explained.
The large expenditures recently made
by the Boston and Maine in the scquisi-
tion of the property of the Mclean In
sane Asylum at Somerville and elsewhere
was unquestionably made wit this pend
ing alliance in view. Tne Mclean prop
erty contains over 100 acres of land, be-
sides a number OF buildings, and will,
when arranged, afford ample fac llities for
handling the enormous increase in busi-
ness W hich the friendly relations OF 10
Boston and Maine and Reading systems
will bring.
The Boston and Maine has a large
water front on Boston Harbor, and has
recently acquired still greater wharfage
facilities. Illustrative of this ono has
only to call attention to the fact that
the Boston and Maine Railroad is today
building the largest grain elevator in the
United States, and which will be equal
in capacity to all the other grain eleva-
tors In Boston combined, and which will
be utilized to handle the enormous grain
traffic OF the lake and rail routes OF the
Reading system.
The Magnitude OF the Scheme.
1t is no secret that the Reading,
through its Lehigh Valley and other
connections, has the most extensive and
efficient fleet of vessels on the great
lakes, reaching Chicago, Milwaukee,
Duluth and other principal cities.
The relation of New York and New
Englan to this alliance OF the Reading
and Boston and Maine has not been given
out, but can be easily surmised. Toe New
York and New England railroad will be
used as connecting link in certain di-
rections between the Boston and Maine
and Reading systems.