The Washington herald., 1906-11-23

Chicago. Nov. zz.-Pisns are under way
for a S5C0ooQ09 merger OF an the public
service corporations in Chicago
Though the announcement takes the
form rather Of a sumor than an an
nouncement. it comes with go many de-
tails and such evidence of authenticity
that 10 was received ou la sale street L.
day as an established fact
The concerns TO be included in the con
solidauon. il is stated, are the local trac-
tion companies. the Peoples and Ogden
Gas companies, the Automatic and Inde-
pendent Telephone 1Hl.aries and tie
Chicago Tunnel Company.
The rum0red choice for head Of the syn
dicste is T. H. Hartman. backed, II is
said, by the Standard oil interest.
List of Those Present.
In connection with the announcement of
the consolidation company, news Of a
meeting held in New York this afternoon
to close the various preliminary arrange
ments was received. At this meeting were
present.
Samuel Lasun, representing the Edison
Electric Company.
l. c. KrauthoT. representing Z. II.
Hartman and the Automatic Telephone
interests.
James r. Meaghcr, representing the
Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company.
s s. Gregory. representing the East
ern interests who seek control of the tel
ephone and tunnel companies.
Martin Littlet0n, representing the inde-
pendent telephone interests.
David D. Crayath. representing the
Commonwealth Electric Company
y. c. Sears. representing the Chicago
Tunnel Company.
Gas Company.
John 2. Hopkins. representing gas in
teTests.
". W. Gurley. representing the Chicago
Union Traction Company.
Thomas h. Mitten. representing the
Chicago City Railway Company.
The merger. it is said, Is the outcome
OF the long fight over the traction
problem. From the same source from
which come reports Of to-day's meeting.
the announcement is made that J. T.
Morgan has practically washed his hands
of the Chicago traction question and
given interests here 60 understand that he
will furnish no more money either TO the
establishment of the roads or any olhei
purpose. To-day's meeting was the out
come Of this refusal.
Col. Lewis Returns.
Coincident with news of the meeting.
Corporation Counsel Lewis returned from
New York. where ne says he was sum
moned to receive information to be re-
ported to the council committee on gas.
oil. and electric lighting tomorrow morn
ing.
I was in New York on exceedingly inn
portant business" he said. More / can
not disclose until after reporting to the
council"
Z. II. Hartman, at the Auditorium An
mex. would not say a word about the re-
ported merger. About railroad ownership
he talked freely, however.
NV hobby is to have railroads owned
by The people. as stockholders he said.
but the antitrust law, by preventing the
companies from making contracts among
themselves TO reduce transportation
charges. compels ownership by few.
1 DppDSt CEillL dll1-.i-Jii "a attAAi oelA ohit-
ership in a few hands. The antitrust
laws defeat their own ends
OF the effect OF the Panama Canal on
railroad conditions, he said:
1T may switch the East and West
traffic TO North and South, but II will
not revoutionize railroad conditions in
America
Eugene Zimmerman, the Cincinnati
Hamilton and Dayton Railroad magnate,
arrived in Chicago to-day, and there were
rumors that he came Tor conference
with Mr. Hartman.
Never met him. Don't know him.
was all the latter said when questioned
these reports.