The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-11-08
THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO AS AN
INDEPENDENT LINE.

The recent acquisition of controlling
interest in the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road by Mr.. Edward H. Hartman is
fraught with extraordinary interest and
Importance to the people of this city and
State. By reason of the charter which
it holds from the State of Maryland and
the extensive investments in buildings
and terminals in this city, as well as by
reason Of tradition and history, the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is regard
ed as peculiarly Baltimore institution.
Mr.. Hartman will not come into control
of this magnificent property as a strang
er, for he has been prominently identi-
fed with it during its period of recon-
struction. 1t was under the immediate
and personal supervision of Mr.. Har-
riman, as a member of the board of d.
rectors and chairman of the committee
on expenditures, that the road was
brought up to its present standard Of
physical excellence The exercise of
control by him should not bring with it
any sweeping changes in the manage
ment, and it may fairly be assumed that
in this particular conservative policy
will be pursued by the new master of
the Baltimore and Ohio.
The significance to this city and the
country at large of the welding of the
Union Pacific lines, the Illinois Central
and the Baltimore and Ohio into one
trans-continental system remains to be
seen. At first blush, the amalgamation
of these properties has met with favor
able and optimistic views in this city.
The relations between a community and
the railroad which serves it are not de-
termined by sentiment. The Baltimore
and Ohio has given and has received
great favors here, but fundamentally,
of course, these exchanges have rested
upon business considerations. Railroad
traffic follows lines of least resistance.
A railroad takes its business to the
place that commands it by reason of
superior facilities. Baltimore can af-
ford to deal with the Baltimore and
Ohio on this basis without fear of the
consequences.
1t is IN no wise contrary to these self
evident principles of business to say that
If Mr.. Hartman should make Baltimore
the Eastern headquarters of his great
system he will find here a state of mind
distinctly different from that which ex-
lists IN San Francisco or Chicago or any
OF the other great cities touched by his
railroads. There is constant and bit
ter struggle in our large cities between
the railroad Corporations and the com
munities served by them. The mutual
dlstrust had multiplied and magnified
the natural conflict of interests. In
Baltimore we are prepared to receive
with real cordially newcomer of Mr..
Harriman's magnitude. When Mr..
George Gould came to US with friendly
assurances of improved facilities we ac-
cepted them at theiriface value, and the
city sold to limits Western Maryland
property at a. price considerably less
than was offered.from another quarter.
It's only fairllto say that so far Baltl-
more has had no reason to regret the
confidence reposed in Mr.. Gould. His
relations with this city, both as NUM-
eipality and community of human be-
ings, furnish striking contrast with
those existing, both in the case of Mr..
Gould himself and in that of other rail