Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-18
TRACTION MERGER DENIALS
"THE STREET" CLINGS TO BE-
LIEF IN CONSOLIDATION.
No Immediate Action Anticipated,
BRIT Bound to Come, Is Pur-
port of Gossip.

The possible consolidate OF the two
| street railway systems of the city seems
to have fascinating interest for many
people. The consequence is that merging
or consolidation rumors are in the air
when street railway matters are conhid-
cred.
This was we'll brought out in the course
Of the speech made by Commissioner Mac
farland the other evening at the dinner
given by George E. Hamilton. president
of the Capital Traction Company, to Clar-
ence E. Norment recently elected presi-
dent of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company.
AS might be expected on such an occa-
sion. about all the men who are act vely
interested in these systems were present.
The chance to interest the company might
lily to say nothing of securing a possible
rise by making some reference to the talk
current. was too good to pass by. eSpe-
cialy with such clever after-dnner
talker as is Mr.. mcfarland.
1t need not be supposed that further
relish was given to his illusions to gossip
on the subject of a possible coming to-
gether of the two systemic by the fact
that Congress had adopted the suggestion
of the Commissioners of some public SUI
perviSion over traction companies. In
stead. however, of comforting such su-
pervisory power upon the Commissioners,
Congress chose to pass 1t over TO the
interstate commerce commission so that
the end was gained that the COMMISSION
erS were after.
Opinion on "The Street.
However. the reference was made with
perfect good humor and was taken as
such. and resulted in producing from
Mr. Hamilton a denial of any purpose on
the part of the Capital Traction Company
to merge or unite with anything. Since
then Mr.. Norment has also added his con-
tribution to the literature of denial-so, In
fact. does everybody connected with the
two roads.
However. the general opinion of what
is known as 1.-The street. on this subject
is that all denials of consolidation or
community of interests between these two
companies at some time in the compare
lively near future must be taken In
Pickwickian sense. Even 1.-The street.
however. has not got down to particulars.
Perhaps. as the period is not thought to
be near for the accomplishment of that
purpose, there are no particulars.
There may never be an organic union
of the two systems, some of the wise
acres believe. but that does not mean that
the coming together will not take place in
real and vital form.
Observers Scented Movement.
AT one time 1t was thought the prellm-
mary steps were being taken when some
market observers thought they saw an
indication of an effor, to bring the market
figures for the securities of the two COM
panies. or, at least. the principal securi-
ties. to something like equality. SO that
the discrepancy between what is bid for
the stock of the Capital Traction Com
pany and for the preferred stock of the
pany might not be as great as it has been
and is still.
Whether there was such movement or
not. there are no indications of it at the
present time. In fact, there is nothing
heard In the talk of brokers and others
that shows there is anything of the sort
now contemplated. What is most COM
monty heard now in regard to the street
railway systems is that the respective
arrangements are endeavoring to admin
lister them so as to produce satisfactory
results both to the stockholders and to
the public.