Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-29
Last Trip Over G. and 0. Railway as
Its President.
CONTINUES At HEAD OF The Big -FOUR
Does Not Believe There VIII Be a
Consolidation.
DISCUSSES THE SITUATION

CINCINNATI, Ohio, January 29-Mr NJ.
E. Ingalls,. president of the Chesapeake and
Ohio and Big Four railway companies, who
was in Washington several days last week,
in conference with other prominent rail-
way men on matters Of interest to the
New York Central, Pennsylvania and Ches-
apeake and Ohio railway companies, re-
turned to this city last evening.
To Star reporter who called on him Mr..
Ingalls, said: II have just returned from my
last trip over the Chesapeake and Ohio as
the president of the corporation. The own
ership Of the property having passed into
the hands of parties with whose policy of
management 1 do not agree. I will. Feb
ruary l, retire from the office 1 now hold
with the company. and Mr.. George w. Ste
vens. now general manager Of the road. will
become my successor"
Asked as to the truth Of the report that
the Pennsylvania and New York Central
railway companies have recently acquired
large amount of stock in the Chesapeake
and Ohio. Mr.. ingalls, answered.:
Il do not know whether it is the Penn
sylvania railroad as company, or whether
the persons who bought that block of stock
made the purchase as individuals. AS to
the New York Centrafs interest in the
Chesapeake and Ohio, all 1 can say is that
the Vanderbilts have parted with all their
holdings in the Chesapeake and Ohio"
Mr.. Ingalls, was questioned as to whether
the holdings secured by the two interests
mentioned amounted to majority of the
stock. and he replied in the negative, add
ing that he could not coincide with the
views as to various matters of operation
held by the new purchasers, and even If
they did not control a majority of the stock
in their own right. they would have enough
Influence to have their wishes carried out.
As to Consolidation.
Mr.. Ingalls, was further asked if there
is any probability that the Pennsylvania,
Baltimore and Ohio and Chesapeake and
Ohio will be consolidated into one system
and under one management, as has been
reported IN some quarters, and to this he
answered:
Speaking only for the Chesapeake and
Ohio q know nothing about Baltimore and
Ohio affairs, l am sure they will not The
only changes that will be made among the
employees of the Chesapeake and Ohio will
be, as l have already stated, that l will
retire and Mr.. Stevens will take my place.
l am, of course, to remain at the head of
the Big Four
The suggestion was made to Mr.. ingalls,
that if the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
or the individuals connected with it so de-
sired, they could dictate the future policy
OF the Chesapeake and Ohio, and that this
seemed to be the natural sequence of the
purchase.
ASK me something easier than that"
was the reply.
Mr.. ingalls, further said in answer to
questions. that there has been, so far as
he is aware, no agreement, either verbal
or written, between the owners of the vari-
Gus trunk lines as to the maintenance of
freight and passenger rates.
won ono follow, h any osher course at this time
would, ne said be nonsensical, as the
roads have all the traffic they can carry
fn,
the present tariffs of the several lines
Speaking of various rumors as to whole
sale discharges as result of the new con-
ditions about to be put into effect, Mr.. In
gals said:
"A meeting of the board of directors OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio company has been
called to take place in New York Thursday
next, when the change / have stated will
be made. AT the same meeting Mr.. Deca-
tur c. Axtell of Richmond. Va, now second
wee president, will be made first vice pres
ident in place of Mr.. George T. Bliss of
New York, who, having sod his holdings
in the company is no longer connected with
1t. There will be no changes other than
those L have stated. and there is no neceS-
sty for any employe of the Chesapeake
and Ohio. from the highest to the lowest.
to fear that the change of ownership of
the road will cause him to lose his position.
Why Stock Was Purchased.
But for jealousy Of the success Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio those who have re-
Gently made the large purchases of stock
already mentioned would never have in
vested.
Il noticed in many papers few days ago
that Mr.. Chauncey NJ Depew, whose Off
ciai connection with the New York Central
road is chairman of the executive board,
remarked that the Chesapeake and Ohio
had been a dsturber of rates. Whoever
told Mr.. Depew that gave him misinfor
nation. The Chesapeake and Ohio has
lief rh.ar haS
simply followed other trunk lines
]. T. H.