New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-05
COAL ROAD PROBLEMS.
JERSEY CENTRAL AND PENNSYLVANIA
THE TWO ROADS DRAWING CLOSER TOGETHER
READINGS FUTURE

THE TWO ROADS DRAWING CLOSER TOGETHER
READINGS FUTURE.
The report from Philadelphia OF negotiations Tor
closer Interchange OF coal traffic between the IehhsN
vania and the Central Railroad o. NcwJerSey "illc
not officially confirmed here. Is generally acCepteu IN
welinformcd circles fOrcshadcwinG gradual change
In the relations between the Jersey Central and Its
former allies President j. Rogers Maxwell OF the
Jersey Central could be and Vice President
s. NJ. Williams dscredcd the Idea that any radical
negotiations were on foot. Mr.. Williams would not
deny that there negotiations OF some kind but
he insisted that there no important deal on loot
traffic arrangement might be made with tic Penn
sylvsnia that would increase the revenues OF the Jersey
Central but the natural alliance OF the Central with
the Philadelphia and Reading was still )nstihec'
There is little Doubt however that the relations In
the coal regions OF the Jersey Central and the PENN
sylvania have beer materially strengthened by the
failure OF the Philadelphia and Readings efforts 70
control the anthracite coal trade. That failure CON
scrvative in Wall Street say was caused by the
TOO eager policy OF President Mcleod to squeeze golden
eggs out OF the too rapidly for the general hei
OF the goose. Intense public feeling was excited ana
the severest criticism and the strongest opPosiioh
were stirred up. The conservative members of the
anthracite coal trade were alarmed Mt the Keaohe
ambitious plans. and the further effort OF lreSueh'
Mcleod TO Knit together a line from Philadephla OF
Reading TO Portland. Me-, precipi'aed concl WIN
important banking interests that were concerned WIN
rival New England interests. The drastic acuoh Oh
the Governor of New-Jersey and OF the New-Jersey
courts as to the "coal combination compelled the
Reading Company to fall back upon Its Lehish valley
combination and when the Jersey Central road
was left free by abrogaOn OF the lease to Reading
room was afforded for new /" deal' which would not
offend certain public sensibili'leS.
There is little doubt according TO the views OF
.xnerenced Observers Wall Street. that the whole
question OF the relations between the eoalcarryng
roads was eriay changed when the Reading bianccd
of into NewEnglsnd enterprises ana the New-JeHey
courts set the seal Of condemnation upon the Reading
dealn The outcome Is diihcult TO predict Inc
strength OF the Reading management seems remarkable
wben II dares TO cope with allies OF the vanderbilt
interests in wEngland, and yet the failure OF the
ottAmnts TO throw the Ncw-York and wEnglahd
into the hands OF receiver the capture OF the 'oh
necticut River Railroad by enemies Vi '"'
New Haven road, and the attempt OF ''e no'1o ,
and Maine Reading combination TO acquire the oiu
COLONY road seem 10 indicate a great deal OF power
back of the Reading aggressors "here IL co'rs io-
,s a mystery unless the theory be accepted 'haV Ill
this controversy Is preliminary TO compromise w
tween all conflicting interests Inc heiulis .'i''0'
stand alone even with important New-Eisi'hu sup
nor, IN n war in the coal trade An almost cfuSniis
combination between the Delaware ana Huusoh anu
the NewYork Central is possible, and II the Delaware
1acrovonna and Western were drawn into the al
lance the coal would present such piase '"'
the extraneous railroad enterprises Vi 'ne i''''e
vonld be seriously impcrllleu. IheS "o"" =,
nm nrohably in order 70 the Readings coal trade
or the result would be union of all interests ran
ROAD and coal that would approach the IDEAS OF 'oS
cantalists who see no safety In future fhahcia anu
cornorote stability except by joint OWNERSHIP VI
,roneties that would defy legislative attacks
t. would be some time before such deal co'uu pe
comnleted New elements pressing to the front III
tho solution of the problem. The complexion Oh 'ne
,ovstersous Weehawken tunnel and the hnlsls vi 'He
connecting line between the Pennsylvania ha'io,u
and the NewIork, Susquehanna ana western
nace the latter road in the field as an lhuepehue"
factor In the coal trade The NEWBORN ontario an.
WESTERN is also n growing member OF the fanny Vi
zoo, roads and while It's relations with the newborn
1,or,ra, ore close the Central may not Claim tie
stsolute control necessary to give it powerful weapon
an tho determination Of the problem OF managing 'ne
coal roads in harmony and settling the VeAtu Hues
.,or a, tho dominance OF railroad interests IN Ne"
england That will be important b prSt few
the Eastern Trunk Line situation IN lhe leA' ",
.nor,hs seems probable, and the drawing uoeeet.i Va
the Jersey Central and Pennsylvania In OplSSltlo "
Tho philsdephia and Reading may lndica'e I a'n,ad
upon which some the future contests VIII De ~