New-York tribune., 1911-12-20
N. Y. CENTRAL ATTACKED
Its Control of Ontario & Western
Opposed in Albany.
NEW HAVEN DEAL ALLEGED
Public Service Commission Asked
to Prevent Stock Purchase
of Coal Road.

Albany. Dec 19.-Charges were made at
the hearing before the Public Service Com
mission to-day on applications of the New
York Central & Hudson River Railroad
Company for permission to acquire the
stock of the New York. ontario & Western
Railway and the New York & Harlem Rail-
road that the proposed transfers were part
and parcel Of dear' between the New
York Central and the New York New Ha-
ven & Hartford Railroad companies. The
opposition was confined to the proposed
purchase Of the New York. Ontario &
Western Railway a further hearing will
be given on January 9.
The opposition was represented by A. ".
Wickwire. of Guggenheimer, Untermyer &
Marshall OF New York. and Thomas
| O'Shea. Of New York. Mr.. Wickwire. VINO
appeared for minority stockholders OF the
Rutland Railroad. who hold approximately
81. 100000 Of the stock OF that corporation
said that his firm had two suits in the
federal courts. one against the Central ana
the other against the New Haven. in rela-
ton TO the transfer of the Rutland ROAD
from the Central to the New Haven.
The commission informed Mr.. Wickwre
that the suits would have no bearing on
the present question. as the rights OF his
clients would be properly protected in the
! federal courts.
Mr.. O'Shea said he appeared a citizen
who was opposed to the grasping of rail-
roads by the New York Central" and as
serted that he believes the Centrals plans
are unlawful Questioned by Vice-President
Harris Of the Central Mr.. O'Shea declined
/ gV,tn taA a
| trolley road between Rome and Oneida. or
whether he had called on Mr.. Harris In
| New York and threatened that unless his
interest in that territory be protected he
would oppose the Centrals application.
Vice President Harris and 4. II. Smith,
general manager. represented the New
York Central, and J. b. Kerr, vice-presi-
dent. and j. T.. Childs, vice-presdent and
general manager. appeared for the New
York, ontario & Western.
The Centrals officials explained the bene-
fits that would accrue from the proposed
change, and said the Central would then
have "A direct route TO the anthracite fields.
Chairman Stevens said the commission
desired Information as to the probable con-
tnuance OF the . per cent dividend on the
common stock Of the Ontario & Western;
as to why freight the substantial revenue
OF this road, IS gradually diminishing on
its own line: whether the New York, New
Haven & Hartford will continue 10 give
business to the ontario & Western or de-
prive the road Of IT, whether the Central
can and will give additional business 10
tho read: the effect on tho general public
OF having the stock Of both roads under
substantially the same control. and a gen
cra description of how the Central pro
posed To control the company.
Mr.. Stevens questioned whether in larger
corporations there is not danger that
the administrative structure may not get
50 complex as to make It beyond human
power to operate the machine.
Mr. Harris and others. Of tho Central. as
serted that tho proposed purchase Of tho
New York & Harlem Company would in
crease tho fixed charges Of tho New YORK
Central approximately $4,000 4 year.