The age-herald., 1901-04-06
HUGE RA|LROAD
 COMB|NAT T|ON
 |S IN PROCESS Plans for Consolidation of All
 the Railways ONE COMPANY TO CON TROL According to the Proposition Each Road Will PreeeFve It's Identity, But New Concern Will Con-
 trol Anss of All.

New York, April 5. 5.-Reports that huge railroad combinations are in process of formation were widely circulated here to- day. Detailed statements concerning the plan already published looking to the combination of all the great railway sys- tems of the United States under the con- trol of one company were given, but as general thing prominent railroad officials and bankers decline to discuss the mat ter. According to all accounts the enter prise involved the greatest combination of capital known in the history of finance. It was said the combination would be formed under the laws of New Jersey for the purpose of conducting general freight and transportation business throughout the United States: that the company would hold controlling inter- est in all of the great railway systems, and that the management of the road would be vested in the controlling com pany.
 According to the proposition, each road will preserve it's identity and corporate existence, but the new company would control the affairs of all. By this policy it was claimed large sums of money could be saved as a result of economies in management and the stoppage of rate cutting. The names of men like J. F. Morgan, William K. Vanderbilt, James J. Hill, Edward H. Hartman, George J. Gould, John D. Rockefeller, Jacob II. Schiff and James Stillman were freely used. One report stated that the nrst step in the proposed plan would be the securing of control of the stocks Of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, the Erie. the Great Northern and Northern Pacific. and that provision would be made for the acquisition of other proper ties in the immediate future.
 Community of Interests.
 Discussing the reported amalgamation, the New York Press will say tomorrowi
 "All that is aimed at, according to the best authority obtainable. is communi- ty of interest"
 The close amalgamation on "commun-' ity of interests basis was first brought about through the efforts of J. Plerpont Morgan. AS a result ruinous rate wars ore already at an end, not so many high priced officials are needed as before, ana one can buy ticket on any trunk line In almost any one of the large offices in the cities. However that a single company will be formed under the New Jersey laws to take over the railroads or the country, Is not considered seriously oy well-informed railway men.
 Dispatches received in this city that gigantic railroad combination of four large railroads was almost concluded mas neither been confirmed nor denied. Relative to this particular report Gen. Samuel Thomas, president of the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railroad( the Monon) tonight said:
 "At the present time there is little to say about the deal I believe the report that comes from Cincinnati. however, is a little bit premature. I don't believe the Amalgamation has been effected as yet.
 oIt is true that steps are under consid- eration looking toward combination or the roads mentioned. I think 1t will be effected for all the interests are favorable to 1t.
 "It can hardly be called an amalgama- ton of the roads under the scheme under contemplation. It is merely centraiiz- ation of power looking towards the best interests of the various roads