The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-30
BIG ROADS TO MERGE
Consolidation of the Wabash and Mis-
souri, Pacific Planned.
Total .. 1924 s129,OOo.OOO 1854, 600. 90

st. Louis, July 30.-Upon excellent
authority it is stated that the Missouri
Pacific and Wabash railroad systems
will be consolidated into one system,
and Joseph Ramsey, Jr., president of
the Wabash, will be placed in charge of
the combined Gould lines.
While it is not believed that this ac-
ton will be taken until Mr.. Gould n
turns from Europe,it is generally under
stood that plans along this line are be-
ing formulated, and official action Will
be taken as soon as he returns.
With the appointment of Mr. Ramsey
as chief executive of the Missouri Pa
cific the question of the successor of
Russell Harding, vice president and
general manager, who recently resigned
to accept an executive position with the
Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton, will
be solved.
1t has long been known that Mr..
Gould has had under consideration a
consolidation of his interests, not only
for the sake of harmony, but for saw
ing in operation.
With this in view he has effected the
consolidation of the lines east of Pitts
burg and his counsel aAe now working
upon a consolidation plan for the lines
west of PittSburg.
The resignation of Russell Harding
and the necessity of a gilt edged oper-
ating official as we'll as one of high
executive ability, has in sense forced
Above all others Mr.. Ramsey is eligi-
BILE to take charge of the combined pro-
perties. Mr.. Gould is president of the
Missouri Pacific, but his interests be-
ing so numerous, he has not the time
to give to the system which he de-
sireS.
Mr.. Ramsey, with headquarters at St.
Louis, will be in a position geographic
cally considered to overlook the proper
ties with the least loss of time.
In addition to being one of the best
operating officials in the country, Mr.
Ramsey is familiar with all depart
ments of a railroad and could in con-
sequence attend to many departments
outside of operation
He has recently completed the Pitts
burg extension of the Wabash. which
was built at great cost, and which
it is believed will prove immensely
profitable to the system.
Mr.. Ramsey is at present in Pitts
burg. When seen regarding the state
ment that the Missouri Pacific and
Wabash are to be combined and he Is
to be put in charge he said:
$50 far as I know there is nothing
in the rumor. However, am not
familiar with the intentions of Mr..
as he is now in Europe, and 1t is not
likely that anything oDf this nature
will be done until his return.
Mr.. Harding is now in charge OF
the line and will surely remain in con-
troll until after the return of Mr..
Gould.
eff there is any change to be made
I am not acquainted with it, but any
such change contemplated Will take
place in September after the return of
Mr.. Gould"
AS chief executive of the systems
Mr.. Ramsey will be the head of rail-
road mileage aggregating 1925 miles,
of which the Missouri Pacific is 6,lOS
miles.
The two terminals of the two sys-
TENS reach Ogden, Ell Paso, Laredo,
in the west; New Orleans in the south;
ST. Louis, Toledo and Buffalo in the
central states, and Pittsburg IN the
east with plan lines extending from
Pittsburg down through West Vir-
ginia with the object of reaching
Baltimore.