The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-18
OWNERSHIP OF THE CENTRAL.
Nothing In the Talk About COnsOIi-
dalton of Management.


The suggestion of a possible combina-
ton of the Southern Railway Company
with all the railroads in which it owns
controlling interest but which have a sep
arate management, does not appear to
have emanated from any railroad officials,
at least not from any in high authority
and in a position TO know what they are
talking about.
The report came out yesterday in a dis
patch from Atlanta to the Morning News,
in connection with the fact that the rail-
road commission is making an investiga-
ton as to the ownership of the stock and
bonds of the Central of Georgia Railway
Company, and of the Georgia Southern
and Florida. with a view to bringing the
Southern and these roads under the opera
lions of rule / of the commission, in case
it should be found that the Southern is
the owner of the majority stock in the
other two, which means, of course a con-
trolling interest.
The commission has heard from the
Georgia Southern and Florida and has
fixed Monday, June 20, as the date for
hearing from the Central of Georgia as to
the ownership of its stock and bonds
President II. NJ. Conner has been summon
ed before the commission a that time to
give such information as has been asked
for When asked about the matter yes
terday he said he had been called on by
the railroad commission for certain infor-
nation in connection with the Central
railroad system. He said he could not
consistently say anything with regard to
that information until he had first given
it to the body which has asked for it.
| When asked about the report of the pos
| slbility of consolidation In management
| of the Southern with the Central and
other lines that it controls, and the re-
moval of the Centrals headquarters to
Atlanta, he said only:
Il know nothing whatever of ii. The
/ newspaper statement is the first 1 have
/ ever heard about it."
The hearing before the commission with
regard to the ownership of the stock and
| bonds of the Central was to have taken
place June II, but was postponed at the re-
quest of President Conner, who had to go
/ north on important business at that time.
/ Rule of the commission if applied to
4 these lines. would create a material re-
duCtion in freight rates as between them.
/ and, of course, they are going to contend
! strongly against any such proposition
/ Under this rule one line or system which
! is controlled by another line or system,
! though under a separate management, is
| considered a part of the controlling line
/ or system just though the management
and ownership of the two were the same :
! and the rates made by the commission
/ are lower over two lines of the same own
ership or control than is the case over two
/ lines of separate and distinct ownership
Rates OF freight over the southern and
/ Central a present are on the basis of two
| separate and distinct systems. If the
/ commission should ind the Southern is
/ the owner of the Central or a big con-
| trolling interest. and should apply rule
! one, the schedule of rates would be the
! same as for two lines of the same owner
| ship. which is lower schedule than in
the other case.
II is hardly probable from what can be
! learned that there is anything whatever
in the talk about the consolidation or
| these lines, or the management Of them
| and as for the talk of any probable ne
| cessity of removing the Centrals head
! quarters to Atlanta, it is absurd on the
/ face of it.