New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-23
CONTROL JERSEY CENTRAL
PENNSYLyANIA-N Y. c. INTERESTS AIM
AT BIG COAL TRADE
EUROPE's SHORTAGE MAY LEAD TO DEvEL-
OPMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA FIELDS
NEW FLEET OF STEAMERS

A NEW FLEET OF STEAMERS
The fuel shortage in England Germany. Aus
tria and on the Continent generally. together
with the substantial advance in the price of coal
in Europe. has attracted the attention Of the
managers of the large coal carrying roads in
this country. It has been learned that within
the last few months steps have been taken by
the railway managers and big coal operators to
provide a way to meet this insstent demand
and supply the markets Of Europe with Aneri-
can coal
From q trustworthy source it was learned
yesterday that Oscar G. Murray, e-president
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, has under
way plans affecting that property which will
provide for a great export trade in coal. Mr..
Murray has recently carefully examined the
capacity Of the coal mines aleng the route of
the Baltimore and Ohio. and as a result he es-s
Inmates that about twenty-five millions Of tens
Of coal was the output over the Baltimore and
Ohio road last year. He thinks that this can
be increased. and large amount of coal sent
abroad. The Baltimore and Ohio now has
agents in various places in Europe and on the
Continent negotiating for piers and docking
privileges in anticipation Of the heavy coal ex-
port business. II IS understood that the COM
pany has also under consideration the leasing
Of many and building Of other coal carrying
freighters It is understood the plans under
consideration will give the Baltimore and Ohio
the largest feet Of coal carrying steamers owned
by any railroad.
The recent advance in the price of Jersey
Central has attracted attention IN Wall Street
and there have been various rumors ahoat as
10 the cause of IT. It was learned yesterday
from a trustworthy source that the same power
full Pennsylvania -New-York Central interests
that secured control Of the Chesapeake and
bA
more and Ohio are negotiating for this prop
erty. and have about secured what they want
The purchase Of this property was necessary to
give an outlet TO tidewater in New-York for
this coal export business. The Baltimore and
Ohio now runs into Jersey City over the Jersey
Central tracks, and in anticipation OF this great
increase Of freight traffic TO New-York for ex-
port the control Of the Jersey Central became
necessary and these interests started out quietly
TO secure it. and have, it is said, by private
sale and in the open market picked up enough
Of the stock to give them control
The Pennsylvania officials are also watching
the European coal demand in a speculative way,
and plans are being made by the officials Of that
system greatly 10 increase the coal export bust
ness The Pennsylvania will make use Of New
port News and Norfolk as shipping points The
control Of the Chesapeake and Ohio and the
Norfolk and Western gives them a practical
monopoly Of the coal fields in that ter
ritory and plans are under way to pro
vide for an increased coal output along
these roads, and for securing a fleet Of coal
carrying boats and European docks and piers.
This increase Of the coal export business. so
il was said yesterday, will cause some changes
in the physical condition and management Of
these properties. Many extensions branch
lines, additional tracks and other Improvements
are contemplated along both the Chesapeake
and Ohio and the Norfolk and Western TO en-
able the roads to tap additional territory and
handle q greater tonnage When NJ E ingalls,
retired as president Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad he was succeeded by George ".
Stevens, formerly general manager Of the road.
Mr.. ingalls, had never been popular with the
coal operators along the line. and left a tangla
OF lawsuits and quarrels 10 be adjusted Mr.
Stevens was elected president by the Pennsyi-
vania-NewYo York Central interests with no other
instructions than 10 run the road TO make the
most possible out Of IT 1t is now said that he
viii soon retire from the presidency and will
he succeeded by some one to be named by the
Pennsylvania Railroad interests, probably a
man trained in the school Of the PENNSYLVANIA
system. The Chesapeake and Ohio. il is be
lieved by the Pennsylvania officials viii de-
yelop its traffic enormously within the next few
years, owing 10 this foreign demand for coal,
and much attention viii he given to the man
agement and physical condition OF the property
Nearly all the big coal operators along the
lines OF the Chesapeake and Ohio, Norfolk and
Western and the Baltimore and OHIO are aware
of the desire of the railroads TO handle greater
coal tonnage, and preparations are being made
to increase the coal output Of that territory
The coal fields OF Western Pennsylvania are
thoroughly absorbed and controlled now by the
Carnegie and other great steel companies and
the output all used for home consumption, that
the railroads have TO turn 10 the West Vir-
gfnia fields for coal for export and from present
jndica tions a tremendous development Of that
territory viii be effected within the next few
years.
STOP OVER AT NIAGARA FALLS
And breathe some of its ozoue and get new lease
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