The age-herald., 1902-04-18
J. P, Morgan in Control But Says Status Will Remain
 Unchanged
THE SEABOARD AIR LINE
Significance of John Skelton Will liams' Presence at the Conference is Discussed by Big Shipper.
 Situation Reviewed.

and Nashville Railroad Company and the attitude of the Southern Railway Com pany and the banking house of J. P. Morgan Co.,, that controls the South ern.
 Had the Southern taken the Louisville and Nashville off of MT. Gates hands, as was reported it was going to do, but which 1t could not have done because of the laws of Kentucky and other states that prohibit the consohdation of com petng lines, this district would have sur vived. but since MT. Samuel Spencer president of the Southern, has given pos tive assurance that his company would not control the Louisville and Nashville, directly or indirectly there seems to be a feeling of relief. The idea prevailed that merging of the two great south ern systems, concealed if not open, would not have been for the best interests of this section
 The Louisville and Nashville was the strong railroad pioneer in the Birming- ham district and it's policy has always been one of progress and helpfulness. Birmingham is naturally grateful to the
 
 reasons, if for no other the people here would be sorry to see its name wiped off the map or to believe that it was not the same old Louisville and Nashville.
 The Facts.
 But now that the mists of Wall street have cleared, the situation is plainly seen and understood. The facts are these: Nor 11I stock in trust for MT. Gates. That an nouncement was made early in the week. we have no interest In the deal,' said Morgan & Co.,, save that of trustees" Yesterday Morgan & Go. announced that they controlled the Louisville and Nash vile. They said the status of the road would remain the same as heretofore, "ex- cept that J. P. Morgan controls and di rects absolutely and without qualifica- tion.'
 The Morgan group of Southern roads up to few days ago included only the South ern Railway, Queen and Crescent Route. the Central of Georgia and the Mobile and Ohio-in all about 10000 miles. With the Louisville and Nashville added the MOTSdH group III lIlt oOuth tOtdAS OhNi 900 miles. Besides the roads named there are other properties that have been ac- quired, it is thought, or will be acquired. by Morgan interests" notably the Att lantic Coast Line and the Plant System. which would increase the mileage to over 25,00O.
 When Morgan & Co. asserted the other onlx oof trt1o ofaao for MT. Gates in the Louisville and Nash vile business, some people accepted the statement as final. Suspicious minds, however. took a different view of it. Trustees today but owners tomorrow" said many persons, and when yesterdays announcem ent was made they exclaimed, i've told you sop A Birmingham law yer remarked last night: "Pierpont Nor gan directs what Is known as the Morgan group. the Louisville and Nashville now included, just as effectually as if the lines and systems were merged under one title and under one presidency. And no legislation can reach him."
 Seaboard Air Line.
 An important fact came out on Wednes- day and that was the appearance of John Skelton Williams, president of the Sea- board Air Line, at the Gates-Morgan- Spencer Belmont conference. Williams presence was significant. Now the ques- ton is asked: 'Is the Seaboard company arranging to sell It's two thousand or more miles to Morgan?' Many think that such a trade will soon follow. Others do not
 My idea Is this:" said a big shipper. "The Seaboard Air Line Is simply strengthening Its position in the commun- ity of interests. There is no secret about the friendly relations that have existed for some months past between the South ern and the Seaboard and between the Louisville and Nashville and the Sea- board. Just what the agreemnt is do not know, but every shipper can see the diff ference between the way the Seaboard and the Southern work now and the way they worked this time last year. There was anything but harmony a year ago. Recently the harmonious relations have been unmistakable. MT. Williams attend anec at the conference meant, In my opin- ion, that he would abandon all intention of building a line from Atlanta to Birm- ingham if Morgan would assure him that the present working agreement would con- tinue. If I am correct it will not be long before the Seaboard Air Line runs it's trains into this city. Just wait and see"
 Louisville and Nashville,
 Coming back to the Louisville and Nash vile, the community of interests has been in effect for year or more. There was a good understanding between the Louisville and Nashville and the South- ern on the question of maintaining rates; just as good an understanding in relation to competitive points. as if MT. Spencer had been president of both of them. With the situation could not have been materially changed from the view point of through shippers.
 MT. Milton H. Smith, as president, will continue to run the Louisville and Nash vile. Sound business policy. 1t is suggest ed, will not allow Mir. Smith or Mir Spen- cer or MT. Morgan to treat shippers un- fairly. even if they were disposed to do so. "Live and let live" is coming to be the motto of all railroad companies. As the communities prosper railroads pros-