Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-29
A BIG MERGER
Missouri Pacific and Wabash, Said On
Excellent Authority, Will be consoI.
idated Into One System = Plans
Have Been Formulated.

st. Louis. July 29.-Upon excellent
authority 1t is stated that the Missouri
Pacific and Wabash railroad systems
VIII be consolidated into one system.
and Joseph Ramsey. Jr., president OF
the Wabash, will be placed in charge
of the combined Gould lines.
While 1t is not believed that this ac-
ton will be taken until Mr.. Gould re-
turns from Europe, 1t is generally I'M
derstood that plans along this line are
being formulated, and official ac-
ton will be taken as soon as he re-
turns.
Ramsey to be at Head.
With the appointment of Mr.. Ramsey
as chief executive of the Missouri Pac-
ific the question of the successor of
Russell Harding, vice president and
general manger. who recently resigned
the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton,
will be solved.
1t has long been known that Mr..
Gould has had under consideration q
consolidation of his interests, not only
for the sake of harmony, but for saving
in operation.
With this in view he has effected the
consolidation of the lines east of Pitts
burg and his counsel are now working
upon consolidation plan for the lines
west of Pittsburg.
The resignation of Russell Harding
and the necessity OF a gilt edged oper-
ating official as well as one of high ex-
ecutive ability, has in sense, forced
the issue.
Tighten Gould's Labors.
Above all others Mr.. Ramey is ELI
gible to take charge of the combined
prpperties. Mr.. Gould is president Of
the Missouri Pacific, but, his interests
being so numerous. he has not the
time to give to the system which he
desires.
Mr. Ramsey, with headquarters at
raphically considered to overlook the
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 railroad and could in conse-
quence attend to many departments
outside of operation.
TIe has recently completed the Pitts
burg extension OF the Wabash. which
was built at u great cost. and which 1t
is believed, viii prove immensely
profitable to the system.
Ramsey Speaks Guardedly.
Mr.. Ramsey is al present in Pitts
burg When seen regarding the state
ment that the Missouri Pacific and
Wabash are to be combined and he S
to be put in charge. he said:
$50 far as i know there IS nothing in
the rumor However. / am not famil
lar with the intentions of Mr.. Gould
regarding the Missouri Pacific, as he
is now in Europe, and 1T is not likely
that anything of 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.
IF there is any change to be made
am not acquainted with it, but amy
such change contemplated will take
place in September after the return OF
Mr.. Could
Total Mileage 1924.
AS chief executive of the two systems
Mr.. Ramsey will be the head of rail-
road mileage aggregating S,624 miles.
of which the Missouri Pacific is g.
los miles.
Covers Vast Area.
The two terminals of the two sys-
TENS reach Ogden, FL Paso, Laredo, IN
the west; New orleans IN the south;
st. Louis, Toledo ard Buffalo in the
central states and Pittsburg In the
,ast. with plan lines extending from