Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-07-14
ANOTHER RAILROAD DEAL,
Alliance Between the New York
Central and Pennsylvania.

A Claim That w. IA. Vanderbilt is the
Largest stockholder In the Pennsyl-
vnnIa---One Railroad Official Says the
story Is Too Absurd for Belief.
The New York Times, which first told
the story of the lease of the Boston and
Albany railroad to the New York Central,
asserts that the New York Central and the
Pennsylvania railroads have entered into
compact under provisions which practically
make the two great properties one system.
1t claims that VIM. X. vanderbilt IS the
guiding spirit in the combination, and that
through shareholding representatives he
is today the largest stakeholder OF the
Pennsylvania railroad. 1t is said that
President Cassatt of the Pennsylvania road
attended the recent meeting OF the New
York Central directors for the reason that
he has really become a member OF that
board.
Recognition of what are the actuahties
in this new railroad spectre disposes of the
speculation as to competition for the con.
troll of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford system. ]. P. Morgan and the
Messrs. Rockefeller hold it now, and the
Vanderbilt interests are the only probable
bidders for 1t, wherefore it is likely for
so me time to continue an independent prop
erty.
It's no beyond the range of things prac-
tical. however, that there will be changes
in the administrative personnel OF the cor
poration. Boston and Maine may even be
absorbed, and Lucius futile, president of
that company, put at the head OF the New
Haven system, of which he was formerly
operating vice president. Under any cir
cumstances there will be neither rivalry
nor clash between New York Central and
Pennsylvania over New Haven control.
As to the Fitchburg, the Vanderbilts al
ready have that in so far as they lmme-
diately require
1t is the official belief that the immediate
effect of the new working arrangements
between the New York Central and the
Pennsylvania will be extraordinary increas-
es in the net revenues of both properties.
Cheapening competition will disappear.
Rate cutting will cease. One purpose ami
mating both corporations, one control vtr-
tually dominating both, will bring results
beyond all precedent, so run the Official
prophecies Western connections Will not be
able to use the two properties against one
another henceforth
A prominent official of the Pennsylvania
railroad is quoted as saying that the story
is too Assured for consideration, ana that
there has never been any thought OF CON
solidating the two systems. Ihls oihclai
also denies the statement that Mr.. Wander
bilt is the largest stakeholder of the Penn
sylvanis railroad.
The Railroad Gazette says the New York
Central leased the Boston and Albany road
through fear of the Pennsylvania railroad
system. The Pennsylvania and the New
York, New Haven and Hartford are SO
closely allied that the New York Central
may for all purposes consider them as one
road. The New Haven already favors the
Pennsylvania heavily on westbound traffic.
1t could and would take great deal more
away from the New York Central if it
owned the Boston and Albany outright.
The Central people, therefore, had to CON
slider the contingency, not only that their
Boston connection might be bought up by
the New Haven, but that it might come
completely within the power, If not the
possession, of the Pennsylvania itself.