The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-25

1. Papers transferring a controlling in- terest in the Montgomery Street Railway Company to Richard fillis of Montgom- cry were signed yesterday and delivered by Captain J. W. Dimmick. president of the company The Street Railway system is now operating on account of MT. Tillis, who announces that he has purchased the property and will manage it himself. At the same time Mir. Tillis declared that he had no associates. that he believed he had made a good invest ment. and that 1t was his intention to make extensive Improvements in the property as speedily as possible. s.
 Both Mir. Tillis and, Captain Dlmmick positively declined to discuss the terms of the sale or to give the. figure paid for the property.
 Since announcement was made several weeks ago that Colonel B, l.. Holt, w. i. F. Vandiver and other citizens of Mont gomery of financial ability had made arrangements through. J. c. White, & Co., of New York to construct a new railroad system here. there have been many rup1ors of consolidation of the old and the new companies. The sale of the Montgomery Street Railway Company yesterday to MT. Tillis began these rumors anew. Mir. Tillis declared that he had no connection with any other i'm tti est than his own. Colonel B. L.. Holt. president of the Capital City Traction Company. authorized the statement that Mir. Tillis did not represent his company in the purchase of the property.
 We'll informed business men. however. predict that the requirement of the Mont eomery Street Railway by MT. Tillis is merely forerunner to consolidation of the two companies. and that the con solidation win be made in the carly future. 2 On the other hand reports were freely circulated yesterday that-M Mir. Tillis purchased the Montgomery Street Ratl- tway.-for H. Mi Atkinson. the Atlanta capitalist who was in Montgomery about three weeks ago and that there Is to be 8 battle for supremacy between the Montgomery Street Railway Company and the Capital City Traction Company.
 Meanwhile Mir. Tfllis, merely smiles and says he has secured the property and will operate it himself, having no connection with any other person or persons. sHe does not~ say that he will operate the road permanentiy. T1 st.ra
 Captain Dimmick and MT. Tillis were drought t7s&ther Sbx s.. M. pinkins "a Montgomery lawyer who Is q personal friend of Mfr Tillis and the deal has been pending several weeks. MT. Tillis made a complete and thorough investigation ct the property. The trade Was consum- mated several days ago by MT. Dinkins. ana the papers were signed yesterday. The system began operating for the ac- count of Mir. Tills> with the beginning Of business Thursday morning.
 Captain Dimmick Interviewed
 Captain Dimmick. late president of the Montgomery Street Railway Company. In an interview with a representative of The Advertiser yesterday afternoon. confirmed the report of the sale. of the property.
 There is really very little to. say" said Captain Dimmick. except that MT. Tillis has today acquired my interest In the Montgomery Street Railway Company and that I will not have any further connec- ton with the company. The terms Of the sale is a private business matter that do not care to discuss. and I do not believe MT. Tillis will give you any in- formation on that subject"
 Do you know who Is associated with Mir Tillis?' Captain Dimmick was asked
 'I traded only with Mir. Tiilis. replied Captain Dimmick, and so far as know he has no associates"
 How about MT: O'Neal?"'
 MT. o'Neal is president of bank in Pensacola. and believe is a business pdTIneT .oI III SSNCiot StisSA prises. He came to. Montgomery several weeks ago and went over the street rail- way situation with me. but know noth- Ing of his connection with Mir. Tillis. l traded only with Mir. Tillis."
 Do you think Mir. Tiliis purchased the property for the Capital City Traction Company or for J. G. White & O.. of New York?"
 'I know he did not" promptly replied Captain Dimmick. 'I think I have suf-, fcient information on the subject to say that much. MT. Tillis has purchased the property purely sa business investment. I know that he intends to improve the system greatly and that he will build and eouip a power plant for its operation"
 Captain Dimmick said he might make investments in Montgomery in the early future but he would not give the nature of the investments He emphasized the statement that he had retired from the street railway business.
 TiIlis Has no Associates.
 MT. Tillis discussed the purchase of the street railway reluctantly He admitted that he had secured controlling inter est in the property and declared with emphasis that he had no associates.
 'Is not Mir. O'Neal associated with you in the deal?' he was asked
 MT. O'Neal is my kinsman," re- slIed MT. Tillis. He has nothing to do with the trade I expect to. operate the street railroad by myself. and I promise you he added. "that it will be greatly improved. '
 Mir Tilis said the system would be with handsome cars. and new rails and that experienced men would be employed. These improvements he said would he made within three months. It 4A tol llr oh in the officials of the company he said. He had thought about it. of course, but had not thought enough about 1t to talk to the public.
 Asked about the terms of the purchase Mir .Tillis said he must decline to dis cuss the subject It was his private business, he said. and. although courte- ous. he positively refused to say anything about the trade he had made with Cap