Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-01-18
TWO CENTS
RAILROAD MEN GATHER.
At the Home of Ex-senator
Henry G. Davis.

fhe Heads OF the Greatest Transporta-
tion Systems East of the Mississippi
RIVER to Meet Him Rumored That
the Gathering Has in View the Dis
eussion of IN Immense Combination
Of Interests THAT will BE Far Reach
ing In Its Effects.
WASHINGTON, d. G., Jan. IT,
There will take place tonight
Thursday J, at the home Of ex- Sem
ator Henry G. Davis, Washington,
a notable gathering Of railroad men
The occasion will he dinner which
the ex Senator, who is recognized
as one OF the leading authorities on
railroad matters in the country. will
tender to President A. J. Cassett, of
the Pennsylvania system,
While it is impossible to more
than snrmise the possible results OF
this meeting, propositions OF vital
Importance to West Virginia rail
road interests in particular and to
the transportation interests OF the
OF the country in general will be
here discussed for the first time at d
personal meeting of the great rail-
road magnates OF the United States.
1t is we'll known there are many
plans afoot for the building Of rail
roads throughout West Virginia and
for the exploitation and develop
meut Of the immense resources Of the
State. Before some of these roads
can be builtit is absolutely essential
that the various conflicting systems
which at present run partly or
wholly within the State be harmon
ized--to degree at least. An au-
thority in discussing the possible
significance of the coming meeting
at xSenator Davis home stated
that this is probably the result of
the most important development in
the railroad history of the United
States viz, the consolidation OF the
immense interest represented by the
Pennsylvania. the G. L O. and the
b. u O. Along with these it is un-
derstood that practically every rail
road franchise in West Virginia will
be controlled by the combined inter
ests, as all of the smaller roads are
dependent on one or the other Of the
three great trunk lines which pene-
trate the State.
1t is stated that this project is
likely to be thoroughly discussed to-
night. If such is the case, in all
probability the consummation Of q
deal involving combination of two
thirds Of the railroad capitalization
of the United States will be reached
over the nuts and wine at the home
of Ex-senator Davis before Friday
morning.
The Importance Of such comb
nation to West Virginia cannot be
overestimated Outside of the slim
illus that will be given to railroad
construction throughout the State
and the consequent development
which will be made of her material
resources, it is well known fact
that in case Of combination all
freight and passengers passing be-
tween the east and the west will be
sent over the shortest and most di-
rect line. In the present consolida-
tion tn ere is no doubt that this line
runs through almost the entire
length of the State of West Virgin
ia, and the amount of traffic which
will in the future be greatly in
creased.
Among those who have been in
vited to be present and who have
accepted invitations to meet Presi-
dent Cassatt and Messrs. John X.
Cowen and Oscar G. Murray, of the
Baltipore Il Ohio; Samuel Spencer,
president of the Southern Railway;
Henry Fink, of the Norfolk Il West
ern; Ri. f. ingalls,, Of the Big -Four;
Chauncey M, Depew, of the New
York Central; J. S. Harriss, Presi-
dent of the Reading system; w. +.
Elkin, of the Widener- Elkins Syndi-
cate, of Philadelphia; Stephen b.
Elkins, Senator from West Virginia,
George F. Baer, of the Reading sys-
tenn; h. G. Kerens, of St Louis and
West Virginia; s. M. Provost, of
the Pennsylvania system, and E. 3.
Kenna, Vice President Of the Atch-
ison system.