The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-07-16
Baltimore and Lehich-COnSOlidati
With the York Southern.

The Baltimore American of July Is, says:
Ii the consolidation of the Baltimore and
Lehigh Railroad and the York Southern Rail
road is to be effected under the pooling ar
rangement formed by stockholders of the Bal
timore and Lehigh three years ago for that
purpose. it must be done within the next two
weeks. Under the agreement the pool expires
on August LIST, and, it is claimed, will not be
renewed. The pooling agreement was limited
to three years, and stock to the amount of
about $500, OC0 was pooled with Messrs. Alex
ander Brown, w. w. Spence and George Z.
Jenkins as trustees. This was a large major
ity, the total stock OF the road being $3.50, COO
The negotiations for the consolidation ofthe
two roads and eifecting a substantial traffic
arrangement with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company has been going on for long time,
and, As yet, the interested parties have not
been able to get together. There has been a
hitch somewhere, and the present prospects
OF making the deal DO not appear particularly
bright. 1t is found, however, upon inquiry
among the stockholders of the Baltimore and
Lehigh that they have been in favor Of getting
into a larger railroad family, preferably the
Pennsylvania system, and Il number OF them
have not yet given up the expectation Of the
deal being made. The matter at present
seems to be in status quo.
Mr.. Alexander Brown, chairman OF the
pooling trustees, is not and has never been in
favor of consolidation. Il have never favored
the proposition to consolidate the roads,"
said Mr. Brown. land in this respect have
not agreed with the other trustees. have
advocated the broad gauging of the Baltimore
and Lehigh and extending ii to connect with
some large railroad system. | believe that by
doing this the road could be put on paying
basis, and would soon be paying dividends,
aud could get better arrangements with the
Pennsylvania than by the present proposed
plan OF consolidation. / do not think that
the pool that expires on August will be re-
newed, and have heard nothing of the nego
tiations for a consolidation for some time.
1t is thought Mr.. Brown has in mind the eX-
tension OF the road to Chickies, Pa, to con-
meet with the Philadelphia and Reading Rail.
road Others say this would not benefit the
road or largely increase its business, as the
Philadelphia and Reading already has traffic
agreement with both the Baltimore and Ohio
and the Western Maryland and the bulk of
its coal business is handled by them.
Mr. William Giimor, one of the largest
stockholders in the Baltimore ana Lehigh,
| and who has been actively assisting TO effect
all arrangement that would result in putting
! The road on Il better paying basis, is in favor
| of consolidation. Speaking OF the matter
| Yesterday, MIR. Gilmor said: ~ have been
| hoping that some arrangement might be made
| to bring the two roads together. l have IA
vored consolidation, and been hoping it
would be accomplished, with favorable traffic
agreement with the Pennsylvania aystem, in
| Guiding the use of its fine terminals at Balti
more and at York, Pa. This could not help
but conduce to the benefit of the interests of
both roads. thereby stopping the present in
| furious competition, and giving the Baltimore
and Lchigh what it must Unconstitutional
| business. For these reasons, my preference
| is for Il friendly alliance with the Pennsylva-
mia system
.sIhe results of the operation Of both roads
| for the past year show that 4 consolidation,
| with such traffic agreement as we would, 10
doubt, get from the Pennsylvania, the Balti-
more and Lehigh would surely earn its fixed
! charges.
Mr.. j. Summerfield Bull, the general freight
agent of the York Southern, is of the impress
sion that the deal for consolidation will he
| aCTarted