The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-08
FORD SAYS MERGER PLANS ARE READY Returns From Conference
 Held in Chicago WILL HAVE NEW NAME Otto Marx Returns From New York and Says Deal is Practically
 Closed-The Business Out
 look is Good
WILL HAVE NEW NAME

After spending several days in Chi cago in conference relative to the merger of the local street car company with new company, A. H. Ford, pres ident of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, returned yester day. He said that within a week or ten days the merger of the American Cities Street Railway company hold ings with the New Orleans Street Rail- way would be accomplished. It Is stated that there is to be a new name chosen for the company and that the in- terests to be merged are the American Cities and the Newman interests. The American Cities owns the control of several street railways in the south, while the Newman estate of New Or leans holds securities of the Birming ham company as well as the New Or leans corporation.
 "The name for the new company has not been selected so far as I know" said MT. Ford last night. However, the reported merger will be an accom- plished fact within the coming few days. The details have all been prac- tiAdily Nplhtu out, oltilouSh tiittt yCb remains a great mass of them to be decided upon. The purchasing com pany may be known as the American Cities Railway company, but that has not been decided upon. The purchas- ing company Is the corporation operat- ing under that name now. They are buying out the Newman interests.
 T have been informed that Mir. Davis of the firm of Ford, Bacon & Davis will be at the head of the company. He resides in New Orleans. However, have no authentic information to this effect l presume that an announce ment will be made in due form relative to that question. In this city l do not anticipate that there will be any extraordinary new moves made. It seems to be a desire to concentrate the street railway interests
 Business Outlook
 In speaking of the business conditions and the outlook MT. Ford said:
 T cannot help but be very optimis- tic. I talked to many well informed men while in Chicago and again in New York. They seem to think that the fundamental business conditions are perfectly sound. The recent decisions of the supreme court clarified the fl nancial conditions very much. Other things have occurred which leads me to believe that everything Is excellently shaped up for a good sound business era. I was somewhat pessimistic over our local conditions, but feel decidedly good over the present outlook"
 Otto Marx Returns
 That all details had been perfected for the street railway merger except a few details and that they would be shaped up soon was the statement of Otto Marx of Otto Marx & Co., who re- turned yesterday from New York. The firm of Otto Marx & Co. is interested in the holdings of the company and MT. Marx said last night the merger would be a consummated fact within a very short time.
 'The purchasers are the American Cities Street Railway company" said MT. Marx. They are to take over the New Orleans holdings of the Newman estate. When all the details have been
  made from New Orleans and New York. The merger has been brewing for some time and there has been held innumera- ble conferences upon the matter. The merger of the street railway interests will mean great deal for all the prop critics concerned in the transaction"
 In speaking of business, MT. Marx was very optimistic and said
 "The financial people in New York have now a perfectly clear understand ing of just where they stand As consequence there seems to be eminent great deal of industrial expansion which spells great things for the Bir- mingham district"
 Heat Is Broken
 Kansas City. June 7.-Cooler tenn