Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-29

road circles that the South is destined
to have only three or four great rail
road systems. and that eventually these
will own or operate nearly all the rail
roads in the Southern States. There
are rumors and rumors of combines
with this object in view. the latest be-
ing that there is to be marriage be-
tween the Atlantic Coast Line and the
Plant System. The Charleston News
and Courier, in a long article. gives The
following details of what is mos, talk
ed of in that city:
II. B. PLANTS HOLDINGS.
"Since the death of Mr.. Flant the
probable consolidation of the Atlantic
Coast Line and Plant systems has been
a much discussed subject in railroad
circles. Dispatches sent out of New
York have stated more than once that
the Plant lines would be operated in
future underline manage tttr-t4t Of the
Plant Investment Company. but for all
that many well informed men think
that IL iS only question of a short
time now before the two great coast
wise systems will he united by Il band
much stronger than that which has
bound them together in the past. 1t
is presumed, of course. that the bulk
of Mr. Plants holdings in the system
which bears his name has been lief, to
his son. Morton +. Plant. These hold
ingS probably amount to an absolute
control of the essential parts OF the
property. NJ Il. Plant is a very young
man, and while those who know him
say he gives promise OF developing in
TO n man Of executive force, II is, Of
moi IN In Tod l,a II
for some years to come ill the place
made vacant by the death OF his father
In these circumstances 1t does not seem
unreasonable to expect that an i'm
Dortant change of some kind should
take place in the management OF the
Plant system, and whatever change is
made is almost certain to be In the di-
rection of n closer connection between
1t and the Atlantic Coast Line.
INTIMATE RELATIONS.
The relations. between the two sys-
TENS have been OF an intimate nature
for some years. In addition to any
traffic arrangement which may exist
between them the controlling spirits of
each have an intrinsic interest in the
other. Directors in the ono system
have also been directors in lines of the
other, and while not united by any
legal bonds. they have been aS closely
together as individual properties could
well be. 1T has. in fact. been some
what wonderful In this day of combi-
nations In traffic lines than an actual
consolidation of the two corporations
has not taken place long ago.
MIR. HARRY WALTERS.
AS to the method by which the two
systems will be brought together should
any actual union between them follow
the death of Mr.. Plant there is much
room for speculation. Many persons
believe that the Atlantic Coast Line
VIII proceed 10 acquire II controlling in
fluence in the Plant lines, and that Mr.
Walters will become president of the
consolidated concern. Such control as
Would be needed might be Obtained
either by purchase or by taking into
the Atlantic Coast Line family such
OF the Plant people as now hold a
balance of power. But. after oil. rail-
road financiering In this day and gem
Grafton is so curiously and wonderfully
made that there is no telling just how
1t does accomplish its ends.
THE INITIATIVE
at seems 10 DO the general impress
sion that the Atlantic Coast Line is
to take the initiative, if any is taken
In recent years that system has real
lied very keenly the necessity OF
strengthening itself to the South and
West. Its purchase of feeders here,
there and everywhere has been an in
dication of this, and it's persistent effort
TO get a foothold in Georgia by build
ing towards Augusta has been another
From the day the Florida Central ana
Pennsular was projected the Coast
Line understood that it's future way
would not be all Of roses, and since
the Seaboard Air Line has followed the
lead OF the Southern in going into the
far South the situation has not become
less complicated. Should it ever fall
out that n system in the least antago-
nistc to the Coast Line should acquire
control of the Plant lines the Coast
Line would be in peculiarly awkward
predicament. and it is safe 10 say that
It's management will not run the risk
OF such thing happening.
REPORTS NUMEROUS.
But. however that may be- it is GER
tain that since Mr.. Plants death the
reports to the effect that the Coast Line
and the Plant management would be
consolidated into one have been very
numerous. and they have come often
times with an authority which left lit
tie doubt that there was something be-
mind them. a gentleman who was in
charleston the other day said that he
mad been told by men who knew that
the zeal was sure to be made in the
near future. and the same thing has
oeen repeated many times in the city
In the last two days"
On July LIST the Norfolk and Ocean
View Railway Company will place on
sale Communication books. containing
fifty round trim tickets hetuaan Nor