The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-09-22

the clover Lear a Few years ago.
Governor Judson Harmon yesterday
said that an attempt had been made
to learn the probable attitude of the
state administration toward the law
suits now in court involving the Hook
ing Valley by the officials of the G..
& o. When his attention was called
to the fact that common report con-
nected him with the swinging of the
big deal. he made the following
statement to The State Journal:
"All that know about 1t 10 that
was asked by the G. & o. officials
what would be the probable attitude
of the state administration towards
the lawsuits that were then pending
between the state OF Ohio and the
Hooking Valley. That was way last
spring. In view OF what | am told, I
suppose that this information was de-
sired before any attempt was made
to secure control. asked Attorney,
General Denman and gathered from
him that the chief points objected to
were the ownership by the Hooking
Valley of certain coal lands and the
control of the Ohio Central. told
this to my friends of the G. & o.
have never heard from it since. III
there is any rumor that |. or my law
firm at Cincinnati had any part In the
transaction, 1t probably grows out of
this. Personally did nothing beyond
this, and If the firm did, | do not
know of 1t. know President Stevens,
but only as know dozens of other
railroad men. / did not know any deal
was on until read 1t in The State
Journal
Announcement OF the deal furnished
the chief topic OF conversation yes
terday among railroad men and cap
italists here. The report Is generally
credited, although within the last 10
years the Hooking Valley has been
reported sold, at one time or another
to almost every trunk line passing
through the state. Gfe III y
President N Monsarrat of the Hook
ing Valley declined to give out any
statement yesterday. G. o. Hunter,
general counsel, also said he had no.
thing to say. II should not be sur
prised If the whole thing blew over,
as other reported sales have" he OBJ
served. He admitted, however, that
the road was peculiarly free from en-
tangling ltigations. Its charter rights
are at present questioned by only one
suit, which is pending before the su-
preme court. This was adversely de-
cided in the circuit court. The suit
was brought by John M. Sheets as at
torney general, and questions the
right OF the Hooking Valley to run
or control the X. & NJ, on the ground
that they are parallel and connect
ing lines.
Attorney General Denman yester-
day said the sale of the Hooking Val
ley to the G. & o. would not have any
effect on pending litigation. "The
Hooking Valley is clearly acting in
violation Of its charter rights" he
said "and no sale or combination of
railroads will be allowed to cloud the
issue so far as this Office Is concern
ed. very clearly defined our position
at the hearing in Dayton. While /
have no direct knowledge, am
strongly inclined to believe that the
reported sale has been made"
Local railroad men, accepting the
deal as consummated, are making
states OF probable changes. No one
questions but that some will result.
Undoubtedly they will start at the
top. President Monsarrat will retire
altogether or be given a position on
the board of directors. Mr.. Monsarrat
Is now past 20 years OF age and his
resignation would not surprise any
one. October 5, when the annual meet.
Ing is held, even II the present deal
is not consummated.