Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-29
RECEIVED RATHER INTERNATIONALLY

y
that he knows nothing concerning the re-
ported Baltimore and Ohio deal.
RECEINED RATHER INCREDTLOUSLY
Local Comment on the Reported Con-
solicitation.
The report that the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Clrr04Ey had acquired a control of
the stock Of the Bal-ino-e and Ohio Rail
road Company. and THAI the New York
Central had secured control of the Cleve-
!. uJ. Cincinnati. Chicago and St. Louis.
commonly known as The Big Four and the
Chesapeake and Ohio. was received rather
.H radUi"usly by many people who are gem
orally ia touch with railroad interests. The
general tendency Of the day toward con-
sgl.isripH in railroad and industrial enter
Ir5s-~ made the announcement less surpris-
LIZ than IL would have been otherwise.
All % these railroad companies have been
represented before the Industrial commits
SION during the past couple of months, but
-H De- testimony given there there was no
Indication that any such move was cOnreu-
plated Those who are thoroughly familiar
with The results of combinations Of rail-
roads developed by the testimony that
has Deem taken before the commission are
no; inclined 10 the belief that such a COM
hlnatl"N VIII he to increase rates They
say that enormous savings could be made
iH running expenses. especially on the part
of the Baltimore and Ohio. which would
make increased earnings without dnE in
crease. OF the passenger OF freight rates.
d. case OF such "a consolidation il is regard
I'D As probable that a number Of through
trains Will be discontinued especially i'm
TIE service between Washington and New
YORK and that one line Will be devoted
largely to "a local passenger and freight
service. whIl~ the other road will handle
Il-- through fast passenger trains. II is
believed that such a division Of the bust
Ness would result in an enormous decrease
"t expenses
H. and %. Local Terminal Facilities
Should IN. combination actually be made
-- IS said that ii may result in d change of
plan fpr providing the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad with the terminal facilities here
for its passenger traffic on "a large a scale
a. has been contemplated The fact that
ta- Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
ma been pushing its plan for having these
terminal facilities on the lines coutern-
plated III the bill prepar red some time ago
WH-u captain Black was the Engineer
Commissioner Of the District and which il
l. understood. has received n. approval of
Commissioner Beach and Will he introduced
-H the coming Congress. seems not in keep
sLE Win iLr report concerning the con-
~"lidatipu, though ii is argued if the Penn
~Elvania Railroad COMPANY has acquired
control Of the Baltimore and Ohio such
action would not have affected the plans
90. 'he latter up TO the zine the deal was
contaminated.
Dc The consolidation Of these roads should
i' 10 be- 1t fact. and If IL should be fol-
loved by any tendency toward an increase
O rates h1 h Congress ana he legislatures
or states through which The road passes
would have power 70 secure q remedy inTi-
ree'ly- The right Of the company to increase
or lower rates after due notice of the con-
trWp@ie'' IN tnEe is given is not Questioned
unless such rates should ue changed sutti-
Gently To- D. against public policy" But a
chang" OF That KIND might materially affect
the attitude Of Congress IN dealing with
% hi
within the District of Columbia Is con-
HerHed and might also result in further
-Vsis.a'tor strengthening the powers Of the
Interstate commerce commission in a way
that to some eAteuJ wCUlG give relief 10 the
public
Regarded IA Safeguard
The fact that increased railroad rates de-
cr'aS" traffic, especially ~ applied To pas
S'Tg"r traffic. Is regarded as u very great
safety provision against such action on the
part II any consolidation Of railroad inter
ests and such a decrease 81 traffic would
lead 70 decreased revenues. For these req
sons many well-informed men have little
fear that this consolidation. If a fact, VIII
sGit in an increase of rates.
senator Rawlns of Utah. when his atteu-
HON was called to this report today said
Thar he regarded this tendency of such con-
s"lIsttiunS as generally Instantaneous to
the public. but that il could not be seen
y IT, th~r this combination. II made. would
hc followed by evils until the policy of the
&. mPtuy was well defined.
w Definite Information Here.
There i no definite Information in this
c.ty tr regard to the alleged deal, and those
WI" ar- connected with the TWO railroads.
rs Il que. learned about Il from the news
rrp#r~- Ho--ever. that facr Is not used
a. IN argument that there : no founda-
L'1 .H fact for the statement for il X rec
ognlzri by railroad officials here a. we'll
as others. who are supposed 10 be more or
1855 familiar with the business affairs Of
lHs TWO companies. that such a plan could
DC Ak reed upon by the head men in The re-
SpectHe companies without the inforna-
ton h!ter7ng very far down through ~,
rank and file.
On the general ground that the rrssept
tendency Is toward consolidation az Iarge
business enterprises, il i held by some thai
the story may be true. and that the bring
ing OF these two properties under one con-
tro. Is entirely probable. The mera fart
that they aZs for the most part parallel
lines does not affect the question n Is
sad. FOR by such a combination cJmpeti-
ton would be wiped out
4 Local Theory.
on the other hand it is thought that pos
sloiy this story may have enanated from
those who desire 70 increase the confidence
% the investing public III the securities of
the Is and o. company. especially as. ii IS
SAID. 1t l. the purpose of the company in
me near future to make a new Issue of the