The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-15
INGALLS, ROADS
ARE TO BE AS ONE
Consolidation of Chesapeake and
Ohio and Big Four.
C. AND 0. DOMINANT FACTOR.
Meeting of Big Four Directors Field
in New York Ycsterday-The Rise
in Freight Rates-Other Ral-
road News Notes.
C. AND 0. DOMINANT FACTOR.

Regarding the reported forthcoming
consolidation Of the Chesapeake and
ohio and the Big Four railways the
New York Commercial of yesterday
says;
During the latter part Of last week
it was quietly reported from sources
which should be reliable that the COM
bnation Of the Big Four and the Chesa-
peake and Ohio is certain to be carried
into effect this week. and that 1t Is 10
bs upon a basis which will make the
Chesapeake and Ohio the dominant fac
tor. the Big -Four losing its Identity in
the deal. Concerning statement made
that there will be no consolidation, but
a close working arrangement uhder
which the Chesapeake and ONO VIII be
given trackage rights that VIII enaDle
IL TO reach St Louis from Cincinnati over
the tracks Of the Big Four an officer OF
the former says:
The author of that may know what ne
is talking about. and have reHarkaDie
sources OF inside information, but /
doubt 1t. for ] question that any such
plan has even been under consideration.
or what avail VIII 10 be- 20 the Chesa-
ieake and Ohio when that road already
has such privileges? No. while / am
unable 20 say definitely what arrange
mbents are 10 be made. II Is my opinion
that consolidation Of the two roads is
being aimed for-nothing less will serve
The purpose I'm view. and If the plan is
not contaminated this week it must be
some day. Do not be- surprised. how
ever. 81 YOU hear tomorrow or Wednes-
day that the two propedties have been
made one
The direction Of the Big Four are 10
meet IN New York to-day. There Is a
vacancy. due TO the death of Cornelius
Vanderbilt. 10 be filled and il IS the i'm
preston in financial circles that action
will be taken upon the question of the
absorption Of the road by the Chesapeake
d Ohio President ingalls,. of the two
roads. arrived i'm the city yesterday and
expects 10 remain through the week.
When asked the direct question as to
whether there was any foundation for
the renewed reports about a consolida-
tion, and whether # was really to be car
ried out be- manifested surprise, and said
that he not only knew nothing Of any such
move at this time. but he supposed that
il was dropped at least a month ago His
visit al this time had no relation to any
such transaction. OF the general railroad
situation Mr.. ingalls, spoke encOuragingly,
and said that it was not now a question
of how or where to get business, but 10
provide necessary means of transpOrta-
ton All roads are busy looking up their
cars. and have found It necessary to make
tracers of their soliciting agents Instead
of having them scouting for traffic. Fur
thermOre. maintenance Of rates was no
longer a matter Of worry and the rail-
roads are striving to get better paid for
their service in order TO even up on the
increased cost OF materials needed for i'm
provements and repairs and incidentally
give stockholders some assurance that
they can expect TO reap some OF the
fruits Of the harvest of prosperity which
the country is now so generally enjoying.
NEW FREIGHT RATES.
Representatives Of all the principal
roads east Of the Mississippi river viii
meet in New York tomorrow to take ac-
ton in regard to The proposed general ad-
vance in freight rates on all classes OF
commodities. For some time past there
has been a desire on The part Of num-
Der OF the leading freight officials 10
have a conference between the Trunl.
Lines Association and the Central Traffic
Association in regard 10 general ad-
vance on freight rates Dates for this
conference have been set but IL was
never held. The meeting tomorrow, how
ever, is regarded as assured. The changes
that will be proposed Will, If adopted, 30
into effect January 1. 1900
To-day the general advance In the rates
on low class freight goes into effect.
These rates have been advanced from 10
to u per cent and affect principally cin-
der. gravel, sand. and other heavy COM
mOdities.
SOUTHERN ROADS.
Yesterday the first session Of an i'm
portant meeting OF the representatives Of
tie principal Southern roads was held
in Philadelphia. The matter for consid-
Grafton is proposed change in freight
rates for winter business. The lines rep
resented are the Atlantic Coast Line.
Southern Railway, Pant system, Florida
Central and Peninsular. Seaboard Air
Line, and the Norfolk and Western
railroad companies. ana the steamship
lines, Merchants and Miners, Old Domin-
ion, and the clyde. In a measure the
meeting will be relative TO the interchange
Of business between the various lines and
the fixing of rates on early vegetables
and other goods of like nature.
The Southern lines have minimum
tonnage Of 2O,Ooo pounds. and. 1t is I'M
derstood that an effort is 10 be made
to have this advanced 10 400 and SO,cJ
pounds. Besides this the subject OF
southern rates BY water is TO be discuss
ed thoroughly, and an effort is 10 be made
10 secure cooperation on the part OF the
steamship companies TO maintain rates
and live up to the tariff.
RAILROAD NOTES.
1t Is announced that there are on the
terminal tracks at Chicago more than
10000 freight cars belonging to the North
western lines that cannot be unioaded,
owing to the cOngested traffic on the
Eastern lines.
At a meeting Of the citizens OF Clayton,
H., IL was unanimously voted 10 give d,
bonus OF 1900, fourteen miles OF right 81
way and sufficient ground for depot
and facilities 10 the proposed Quincy and
Eastern Railroad.
On November 2ist officials Of the Big
-Four. the Vandalia and the Louisville,