The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-21
Baltimore and Ohio Situation

Baltimore and Ohio Situation
| Another problem of deep concern to
the trading populace relates to Balti-
more and Ohio. AS the count now
stands Union Pacific is in ownership
control of nearly a majority of Balti :
more and Ohio stock. 1t would be no
trick for the diplomatic Judge Olcott
| To secure control of enough additional
Baltimore and Ohio shares to give him
undisputable physical ownership DOM
ination of the companys capital
something. by the way, he does NOT
want. Just why Union Pacific should
be accused of trying to swallow Balti-
more and Ohio is not made plain; cer-
| tain 1t is that the play would not be
attempted without valid excuse, but the
Delphfc silence of Judge Olcott con-
ceals the mystery. IF anybody asks
you about this dense and dark secret"
whispers the Judge. tell 'em you don't
KNOW"
| Those who are solicitous about the
permanency of Mr.. Daniel Willard as
president of the Baltimore and Ohio.
now that near-control is shifted, have
been told in strictest confidence that
Mr. Willard would be undisturbed and
/ that every invitation or offer looking
to a transfer of allegiance would be
rejected 1t was mentioned Incidentally
| in this connection that Mr.. Oicott had
| held in allegiance the proposition to
take over Pennsylvania's holdings of
Baltimore and Ohio until he could be
convinced that Mr.. Willard would re-
main it's official and real head, a con-
dition that Is said to have involved a
refusal of an offer of the presidency
of the New Haven. The communicative
historian said it did not take min
ute for Mr.. Willard to satisfy Judge
Qlcott on the point raised, thereby ce-
menting hard and fast friendly al
lance between the great eastern and
western trunk lines If facts are az
represented In the foregoing a sure
enough transcontinental railroad line
may be the final result
Trading in Few Issues
\ Drop Union Pacific Reading. Steel
and Copper from the list and the total
volume of operations on the stock ex-
change would shrink half or worse.
There are dozens of standard dividend
earning railroads and industrials in
which speculation has been dormant for
months. Whole days pass with not a
trade registered. Such sterling secur-
tiles as Delaware. Lackawanna and
Western. 500. Louisville and Nashville.
Atlantic Coast Line. Illinois Central,
Chicago and Northwestern, Sugar Re-
finers Common and preferred), Har-
vester. National Biscuit Pullman and
others of the high class preserve a
graveyard quiet for weeks at a
! stretch.
/ When something happens to liver uu
the play the stereotyped favorites go
to the front. Action Is largely con
fined to half dozen specialties 1t IL
noted as a market feature Of conse.
quence that chronic speculative ele-
ment usually favors the half baked
new things in preference to the true
and tried issues 1t is the gamblins
spirit that is in charge whenever tn;
calm is broken--a revival OF the fe-
vered impulse that seizes plungers
wherever they are found on the worlds
! map--the race track, the unbrfdled
gambling hell, the lure of the white
\ lights and every form OF unlicense
excitement and the money lust rules
1t was only a few years ago that New
York was an open town. in the fullest
gambling sense, but now mos. things
designed to pluck the public In the Ole
way are being taxed and regulated to
death--the profits of the play have
dwipdled to legitimate proportions
y In the 'ha1uyoh days transactions