Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-20
RAILROAD MERGER
PLAN IS PROTESTED
BY CHAMBER BOARD
Directors Express Fear Vir-
ginia Would Suffer Dis.
criminatory Rates.
CORPORATION BODY IS
AGAINST PROPOSAL
State Commission Goes on
Record in Case Of the
R., F. & P. Line.
OCCUPIES A UNIQUE POSITION
IL Connecting Link Between Large
md DivcrsIhcd Systems of
North and South
CORPORATION BODY IS
AGAINST PROPOSAL
OCCUPIES A UNIQUE POSITION
Is connecting Link between Large
and DircrsIilcd Systcms of
North and South,


plan drawn by the Interstate Com
merce Commission in SO far as IT af-
fects the Scaboard Air Line and the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Po
tomac. Resolutions in protest were
adopted by the board on recommen-
dation of the traffic committee OF the
chamber.
Protest against the proposed mer-
ger of the Seaboard with the Illinois
Central as part of the scheme to con-
solidate all lines in tho United States
into twenty-five systems as au-
thorized in the Esch-Cummins trans
portation act. is based on several
grounds. 1t is asserted that the geo.
graphical locations OF the two roads
are such that II is not apparent that
the union would he constructive.
while at the same time there Is
danger that Virginia would suffer as
II has done In the past in discrimi-
natory rates through railroad con-
solidations.
Occupies Unique Position.
In the r., r. and p. matter the
chamber holds TINT the road oo-
cupies a unique position rs a con-
Meeting link between the large and
diversified railroad systems of the
North and South. and that Its merger
into a system to be known as the At
lantic Coast Line-Louisvllle and
Nashville would be Grievous error.
The State Corporation Commission
yesterday also went on record against
disturbing the status of tne road In
which Virginia holds a large interest.
Whereas. what Is known as the
Ripley committee has made re-
port to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission recommending that under the
provisions of the transportation act
OF 1920 the Scaboard Air Line Rail-
way Company be merged with the
Illinois Central Railway Company.
Whereas. from the geographical
locations OF those Two roads IL is not
apparent that their union would be
constructive. but. on the contrary.
every appearance that 1T would be
not only ill-assorted but destructive.
Interest In Gulf OF Mexico.
whereas, the interests OF the ILL.,
noIs Central Railroad Company ap-
pear to lie directly in the Gulf OF
Mexico and the South Atlantic
coast. the latter clearly indicated by
its reputed ownership OF the Central
of Georgia Railway. and
Whereas. although the Seaboard
Air Line Railway Company has term
ini In Florida. port Tampa). and in
Georgia (Savannah. 1t is neverthe-
less Virginia corporation with n
great rail terminal at Richmond. and
water terminal in Hampton Roads
with the most valuable portions OF
its line devoted to northbound and
southbound traffic through its Vir-
ginIa terminals. and
whereas. the commerce OF Vir-
ginia has suffered on account OF rail-
road consolidation, and now faces
rates OF the most discriminatory
character between its principal cities
and the South due to preference Civ
en- to the commerce Of Western rivals
for Southern trade. and
Whereas, this committee believes
that the best interests of this city
and of this Commonwealth will be
served II the Seaboard Air Line Rail-
way Company is maintained ns n
separate entity free from the influ-
ence of carriers whose interests lie
elsewhere. and has received the as
surance that the Seaboard Air Line
Railway Company is Interested in
building up the commerce of this and
other cities and OF this State into
the States traversed by its rails.
therefore be 1t
Resolved, subject to the approval
OF tho board OF directors of this
chamber. That this committee posi-
lively. earnestly and vigorously pro-
test against any tendency or inten-
tion based upon the Ripley report
Of merging or consolidating the Sea-
board Air Line Railway Company
with tho illinois Central Railway
Company. or any other railroad
company which will not aid strongly
and materially to tho development
OF the Seaboard Air Line Railway in
Virginia, North and South Carolina.
Georgia. Florida and Alabama, SO
that the original intention OF it's
builders will be carried out to their
full limit"
:. Tho resolution on the r. f. & p.
follows:
Whereas what Is known as the
Ripley committee has reported to the
Interstate Commerce Commission
recommendation that undor the pro-
visions OF the transportation. act OF
1890. the Richmond, fredericksburg
and potonaa RaiIsasa be merged