The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-12-27
AN iNcAuTlous BOAST.
The Figare II Cut In Manipulating .
Big Railroad Deal.

The rieure Il Cut In Manipulating .
Big Railroad Deal
"For many, many years." said an old
railroad official, ''the Baltimore and
Ohio railroads dominant policy in
volved an entrance into New York,
and the Pennsylvania and Baltimore
and Ohio were bitter competitors.
Both roads owned heavy blocks Of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti-
more stock, but the balance that car
ried the control was In the hands of an
Individual owner. The Pennsylvania
had made q dicker with this man
whereby he voted with them. but the
stock itself he refused to part with
save at figures which seemed to the
Pennsylvania management excessive.
This was the state of affairs when
one night one Of the officers Of the
Pennsylvania was dining In the cafe
of Delmonico's famous old restaurant
at Twenty-sixt street and Broadway.
His attention was presently cOncen-
trated on a conversation going on at
the table behind him. 1t involved the
important control of the Philadelphia,
man talking was incautiously boast
Ing to his companion that he had that
day practically completed deal where
by this control came to him.
"a careful glance revealed to the
Pennsylvania official that the man
talking at the next table was no other
person than the late Robert Garrett
himself. at that time president of the
Baltimore and Ohio. Not one word Of
the balance of that talk was lost to the
eavesdropper. and when Garrett and
his companion left the cafe the Penn
sylvanIa official knew each and every
detail Of CARROTS coup In Philadel-
phia. Wilmington and Baltimore. 1t
hinged on the stock held by the indi-
vidual. Garrett had made him a gilt
tering and stupendous cash offer for
his holdings. which had been accepted.
The delivery Of stock was to take
place the following day.
"It was 10 o'clock at night when the
Pennsylvania official detached himself
from .Delmonico's table. As fast az
cab could take him he raced to the
Desbrosses estreet ferry. At Jersey
City he took special engine. and after
Wild ninety mile ride he rolled into
Philadelphia shortly after midnight.
Then q hasty conference ensued Of the
powers that were at that day In Penn
sylvania railroad affairs. with the re-
suit that In a very short time certain
| Of the big men were making for q
nearby city as fast as steam could car
~ them. The astonished Individual
| holder Of p. W. and B. stock was rout-
| ed out Of bed at 2 q. %. to receive
cash offer for his stock that he accept
| ed a. soon a. he could could catch his
breath. No chances were taken. and
its delivery to the Pennsylvania oc
Cured as early upon the following
morning as It could be got at.
~When Garrett arrived later. he bit
teriy appreciated the truth there is ir
the old saw that there IL many sliI
'twixt cup and lip. What followed II
well known. Garrett In his disappoint
ed anger built the terrifically expen
siye B. and o. extension from Balti
more to Philadelphia. an operation tha
saddled the B. and o. with such al
enormous amount Of fixed charges tina
receivership and the disappearance
of the CARROTS as controlling factor
In B. and o. affairs shortly followed
It seems like the irony Of fate that thi
road today should be controlled BY 1t
/ ancient rival. the Pennsylvania II
this connection II will be remembers
that the late william 81. Vanderbilt
was fatally stricken with apoplex
while talking with Robert Garrett
was generally reported and believe
/. that the two men were discussing Z
and O.'s then proposed entrance Int
New York. Mr.. Garrett was said
have emphaticaily stated to Mr.. Var
derbilt that the B. and o. would com
to New York whether he (Mr. vandel
bilt and the New FORK Central liked
or not."-New York Tribune.