The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-21
U. G. |. TO
CONTROL
'TROLLEYS
Public Service, It Is Said,
to Keep Gas and
Electric Interests.
NEW FORCES In OFFICES
NEW FORCES IN OFFICES
New Public Service Street Rail.
ways Co. Said to Have Been
Step Toward Divorcement of
Local and Philadelphia In
terests inn. j. Investments.

Reports that are said to have some.
good foundation were discussed today
in certain financial circles regarding
the possibility of a enforcement of the
street railway interests in this State
from the lighting interests, both of
which have been under the control of
the Public Service Corporation. 1t was
the understanding that the separation
would occur about the first of the COM
ing year, and that the street railways,
which were in the name of the Public
Service Corporation, would pass into
control of the United Gas Improvement
Company of Philadelphia, a concern
that has long had heavy interests In
the Public Service Corporation.
1t is said to be the plan for them to
take over the street railway interests
while the other interests owned by the
Public Service will be retained by the
latter.
The formation of the Public Service
Railways Company, about which con-
siderable mystery was cast, is said now
to have been step to the end reported.
The railways company, it Is said, will
have new officers.
Frank Bergen, counsel for the Public
Service, denied this report so far as he
knew, but from other sources things
were told that could be construed to
mean the step reported and were con-
sidered partial substantiation.
Information received was to the
effect that the U. @. I. as a heavy
stockholder in the Public Service Cor
poration wished to withdraw, and had
devised the plan Of dividing the prop
erty.
"rho United Gas Improvement Com
pany" said a man in an influential POSI-
ton to know, has gradually got so much
money sunk In the New Jersey corporation
that 1t could afford better TO put in more
than to draw out. About five years ago
the Philadelphia concern, as a heavy
stockholder, became party to an agree
ment by which control was given the
present Public Service management for a
FIVE year term. The u G. /. has not
been willing to consent to renewal of this
agreement and that unwillingness has had
the result outlined
While most persons connected with Pub
lie Service affairs would not consent to
an interview, 1t was pointed out by sew
eral who did that the reported separation
of interests looked like an explanation for
several Internal disturbances occurring
within the traction company recently. A
of an upheavel in the company it is said,
will shortly lie in the basket, made this
statement when interviewed:
II do not feel that under the circum-
stances l am privileged to tell what ]
know, but 1 will give you the tip that
there is something doing with u. G. l."
1t has been known for some time, and
Public Service officials this morning did
not attempt to deny, that the Philadelphia
nth
never attempted before. and that the u.
G. l. company has gradually been taking
control of the administrative work of
traction interests In the corporation.
This movement was first felt some six
or eight weeks ago. when the u. G.. /.
sent from Providence, r. l., several of
its heads of departments of street rail-
ways there. Lately these forces have
been materially added TO, any many of
the former employees of the company were
dropped Last week this process was con-
tinued, resulting in the transportation here
from the Providence road of a large num-
ber of clerks.
Up to date the U. G. 1. has come into
entire control Of the law department, the
claim department and the purchasing de-
partment and It is asserted that in the
other departments of the traction work
representatives of the Philadelphia con-
cern have been placed to make a study of
the methods that have been in operation
c. w. Hare, of Philadelphia, a osn OF
one of the directors Of the United Gas I'M
provement Company of that city, has for
the present been placed In control of the
company's interests here
In an interview with Mr.. Bergen today,
when he died the material portions or
rumors concerning the transfer of power
in Public Service management, he said;
1T wouldn't do for me TO make a state
ment now, because whatever / night say
now would very likely have to be cor
rected within a week or so. There are to
be certain changes in the heads of depart
ments and in the personnel Of the officers"
''Will Mr.. McCafter remain in his present
position as presidentY
"Oh, yes" the counsel said hastily.
Mr. Bergen was asked If there were 20
be a consolidation of officials of the COM
pany. He said there was not. but that Il
was contended that by making certain
changes he was not willing to outline the
efficiency Of the official family might be
increased He denied the u. G. 1. story.
isn't it true that lot of U. G.. I. men
are being brought into the various de-
partments?" was asked.
Yes there were some men, three or
four / believe who were employed on a
road at Providence that the Philadelphia
concern was closing out its interests in
It was said elsewhere within the COM
pany that I'm three of the most important
departments the Philadelphia interests
had entirely superseded the local ones;
that the new men to the number OF
twenty-five or thirty had been put in and
that among the newcomers were men who
ii had already developed had sufficient
backing to discharge numerous employees
and som officials.
On this action, a man acquainted with
the Public Service, said
Il know positively that the new element
from philadelphia was not placed here be-
cause the u. G. I. wanted to make places
for the men sent. What else can be the
motive II II Is not planned that it shall
assume control. In my opinion the u. |
g. l. is now establishing itself to take
control the first Of the year"