New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-02
TALK OF CONSOLIDATION.
THE CABLE AND ELEVATED SYSTEMS
MAY BE UNITED.

RUMoRED MOVE TO OPPOSE THE MUNICIPAL
SCHEME FOR RAPID TRANSIT.
1t is asserted among those who say they
know that before April l. 1895. the Metropoli-
tan Street Railroad system in this city will
combine with the Manhattan elevated system.
the whole to be run Under one management.
1t is alleged that of late there have been con-
ferences between William C. Whitney, John ID.
Crimmins and Charles r. Henderson, of the
surface roads and George ]. Gould, J. Pierpont
Morgan and Russell Sage. of the elevated sys-
TEN. looking to consolidation. These con-
ferences. 1t is said possess unusual significance
in view Of the adoption by the people on Novem-
ber of the scheme for municipal construction
Of n rapid-transit system. 1t Is alleged that
these conferences had view ways and means
OF best combating the proposed new under
ground system along all legitimate lines. and
of postponinG its completion as long as possible
The people who believe that the combined sys-
TENS will unite against a new rival road do
not say what form the opposition will take but
assert that it will begin to make itself manifest
at the next session of ;he Legislature.
A CHANGE OF FEELING.
Hitherto the feeling between the elevated and
cable systems has been Of decidedly hostile
nature. The managers Of the former nave
viewed with increasing alarm the inroads made
upon its patronage by the cable roads The
adoption by the city Of a rapid-transit system
of it's own was sad blow to the capitalists OF
the existing systems and drew them closer 10,
gether From this time forward II Is beheVed
by many that they will stand togetner as
against the citys scheme. William {. whitney
il is said. expects sail for Europe this week
to be gone for some time and no lmportai.
steps looking to consolidation Will be made uhtl
he returns. In the mean time. however any
Slati
the two systems will be asked at Albany. JUST
| what that legislation will be the directing pow
ers Of the two systems are not inclined TO as
cuss but II is likely to heighten the interest In
the next session of the Legislature -
Already. It is alleged. the surface, or "hi'nsy
interests are saying pleasant things TO the
Senators and Asemblymen and nave dohe 'heir
host 10 impress them with The justice OF pro-
tecting the existing roads.
CAPITALISTS AFFECT SURPRISE.
Capitalsts who were rcen In relation 10 the
subject yesterday expressed the protoundes'
surprise AT the idea Of consolidation. Henry H.
Robinson. attorney for the Metropolitan street
Railway Company. which corporation coHP''Ses
nearly all the surface lines in the city was iounu
at his desk I'm the Gable Building. No. e-l broau-
/ way Mr. Robinson - a comparatively !ou"s
| man and possesses suavity and discretion
| 'I've had IL asked me more than once recent
"" said he whether there was going 10 De an
Immediate consolidation or the klni sukScn''i'
! All can say is that don't know of any hu'h
! scheme. The surface lines are not making ad-
vances anyway. We're In good shape. car'Y'nh YIN,
| moro and more passengers every month. ana
we are satisfied with our future MT 'rlih-
MINIS did have nttle conversation iew uays
ogn with George J. Gould. but II was In relation
! "a crossing Of railway tracks In Harlem. ana hah
/ M hearing on a consolidation Of the Two sys-
| ,ems II such big undertaking AS that was on
| deck " G whitney would not be eoihe 10
| Irurnre and believe he expects 10 *" next
| week a., ,,o,-.,,i,
tan street Railway Company said: NO. thrif
| nofhing In that story. so far as know. VI
course such a thing is possible but thrre ar no
| mans on foot for IT, You'd better ask 'hhi''s
| u henderson. president OF the MetroppIl'ani
! traction Company. about Il. All the inhncla'
affsirs Of the Metropolitan street Railway com
| nanv are taken Gaze Of by the Traction COM
! pany" , ,ts mce IN the
| um,ual life Insurance Company bulld'ng' yes
| t.rday when the reporter called. ,,,,,
! Edward IMuicrbach attorn y lot IN" ihlIu
avenuc cable road when asked about the ru-
| n,orod consolidation said: 1T - posslpi. tha'
Mans are on foot for such "A scheme Du' % IA . .
n"t heard OF IT, I would naturally be cogni2dht
| ~ such an important move as that Is, II IL were
really going to take place