Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-05
Special TO the Register.

SpsNihl ~ iHS rNSststtr.
PARK ENsBuRG, W. Va, August IA
couple of interesting stories have leaked
out purporting to give inside information
rs to how the Pennsylvania Railroad
managed to secure control of the Baiti-
more & Ohio and how the Baltimore &
Ohio managed to secure control OF the
Ohio River Railroad. They show the
power Of one man when prompted by a
spirit Of determination and revenge. For,
according to the stories that are afioat
and seem to bear the stamp of accuracy
revenge was the means of accomplishing
these two deals which had long been in
contemplation but which it seemed almost
impossible to carry out.
In regard TO the Pennsylvania securing
control OF the Baltimore a. Ohio, the
story goes back TO the first Bryan cam
paign. when Maryland was in this Demo-
cratic column and John X. Cowen was
one of the leaders of Democracy In that
state. Mr.. Cowen became leader In the
movement which turned Maryland into IA
Republican State and Arthur p. German
was defeated for recollection TO the United
states Senate. In a large measure he
blamed his defeat upon Mr.. Cowen, who
was president of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, and only waited the opportun-
ity to even up old scores Recently the
opportunity was afforded. The Pennsyl
vania wanted TO secure control of the
DAitimere Ohio Railroad, but was UNI
able to secure sufficient amount Of
stock to accomplish this. Senator Cor
man saw an opportunity to ayenge him
self upon President cowen and at the
same time win the Influence and support
q the powerful Pennsylvania system of
railroads by aiding II In securing control
OF the D. 4 o. Quietly he went TO work
and secured enough OF the b. T. o. stock
70 place the Pennsylvania in the saddle,
II he voted his stock with theirs. Then
he went to the Pennsylvania people and
IN understanding was soon reached by
which the stock which he controlled
should be voted as Pennsylvania stock
for a certain length of time. The result
is known. President Cowen was succeed
ed by President Loree and the Baltimore
Il Ohio became part OF the Pennsyl-
vsnia system. Senator Germans enemy
10 removed from place of influence and
great power and Senator German has as
his ally the most powerful railroad cor
poration. probably, In the United States.
The story of how Senator J. n. Camden
secured the Ohio River Railroad for the
Baltimore & Ohio is equally interesting
The Pennsylvania Railroad had long
wanted to secure control of the Ohio
River Railroad, and the Baltimore & Ohio
had endeavored in every way, first. to
prevent the construction Of the West Vir-
ginia Short Line IA tributary of the Ohio
River Railroad and backed UP financially
by it,, and failing In that he tried to
purchase 1t. But the Short Line stock
Camden to accomplish what the Balti-
more & Ohio had failed to do, and the
same spirit of revenge which enabled Sem
ator German to push the Pennsylvania
deal through aided Senator Camden in
carrying out his plans. Some years ago
Senator Camden was in control Of the
Ohio River Railroad stock. This was
wrested from him by the Standard Oil in
terest and H. II. Rogers, of the stand
ard Oil Company, was made president.
George A. Burt was made vice president
and general manager of the road SEM
ator Camden was not pleased with the
change and his relations with Mr.. Burt
have net been the most pleasant. MI.
Burt did not consult Senator Camden as
to the running of the road and Senator
Camden, who was instrumental in having
the road built, has felt some resentment
At being practically ignored as to its man
agement. Recently the opportunity to be
avenged appeared. Through fortunate
circumstances Senator Camden attained
a position where he could control the
large block of stock OF the, Ohio River
Railroad held by the estate of the late
Senator Fair. He already controlled quite
q large block OF stock, owned by himself
and his friends. With this he went to the
Baltimore g. Ohio and proposed to aid
them in securing the rad. They accept
ed his offer and now Senator Camden is
in the new directory of the road, while it
is understood that Mr.. Burt will not long
remain with 1t.
And thus, through the desire of two
men fer revenge. the Baltimore a. Ohio
secured its coveted property, while the
Pennsylvania secured the Baltimore 4