The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-19
RAILROAD MEN FEASTED
Former Senator Davis Entertains
Some Distinguished Guests.
A Significant Gathering of Transport
tation Managers and Eminent
stntesmcn-Tbe Two-Fo1d Motive
Prompting n Social Function-A
Celebration aud II Conference.

Henry G. Davis former United States
Senator from West Virginia and Presi-
dent of the West Virginia Central and
pittsburg Railway Company. entertained
at dinner last night a number OF promi
nent railway officials and politicians, at
his home. 1925 / Street northwest. The
gathering was a notable one, and may be
designated as a significant conference of
railroad officials, in which the social fea-
ture largely predominated.
Among the guests were no less than
six railroad presidents aud two vice presi-
dents. representing the principal transpor-
tation systems east OF the Mississippi
River Others Of the party were men
not only deeply interested in railroad
properties, but who arc regarded as past
masters in the arts of securing legisla-
ton favorable to great railway projects.
The distinguished dinner party was made
up of the following gentlemen: Mr.. A. J.
Cassatt President Pennsylvania Railroad
Company; Hon. Chauncey VI. Depew, of
the New York Central Mr.. Samuel Spen-
Ger. President Southern Railway Company;
Mr. J. $ Harris President Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad Company; Hon. John
X Cowen President Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company; Mr.. NJ. E. ingalls,,
President Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
Company; Mr.. Oscar G.. Murray, Vice
President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company; Mr. John p Green, Vice PTesi-
dent Pennsylvania Railroad Company Mr..
George +. Baer of the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company: Mr.. William
=. Elkius. OF Philadelphia: Hon S. b.
Elkins. OF West Virginia. Hon. a. F. Cor
man. of Maryland; Hon. r. C. Kerens. of
81. Louis: Hon. II. G. Davis, President
West Virginia Central Railway Company
The dinner was given in honor of Mr.
y. J. tassatt President of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company. The others were
invited to meet with him and Mr.. Davis in
social way and to confer upon topics
which might be OF common interest to all
4 glance at the list shows that several OF
the most successful railroad presidents OF
the United States were seated at table
with some OF the ablest railroad financiers
OF the New World.
Information given out last night at the
Davis residence was to the effect that the
gathering had no Significance beyond its
social features. II was learned however,
from a reliable source that the motive
which prompted the bringing together of
the men above named at this particular
time was twofold. In the first place the
dinner was in the nature of a celebration
of the union OF interests between the
Pennsylvania system and two other rail-
roads. whose presidents were included in
the list of guests. The union of these in
terests has been topic of discussion in
railway and financial circles for months
past, and those well informed assert with
positiveness that the combination has
been made and that the three systems in
question are now working in harmony to
a given end. That the union OF interests
extends TO actual ownership of the proper
ties and the pooling of traffic and earnings
into one great system Is stoutly denied
According to the authority referred to.
the combine has been effected, and last
nights social function may be looked
upon as feast in honor Of the event.
The second motive of the dinner was TO