Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-07
B. & o. and Van Sweringen Plans
Called Logical Developments

Logical developments in the modern
and generally supported trend toward
railroad consultations are seen by news
paper editorial writers in the applica-
tons Of the Baltimore g. Ohio and the
Van Sweringen interests for approval of
their respective latest plans for acquir-
ing smaller lines.
Provided the terms are fair to indi-
vidual investors says the Richmond
News Leader, mergers are in the public
interest, though 1t does not necessarily
follow that the mergers shall be all
inclusive. A few small lines are so self
contained that neither they, the public
nor the great transportation systems
have anything to gain by swallowing
them up" That paper describes the
general situation with the statement:
I'm 1924 four-system plan was taken
vania, the New York Central and the
Baltimore 81 Ohio and by the Van
Sweringens. The railroads involved in
this project had a mileage of $500,
with a property investment of $8,700,-
100000 and annual operating incomes
1929 in excess of SAC, 000, 900.
The Pennsylvania probably will fight the
new mergers, particularly that part
which would give the Baltimore & Ohio
the right to acquire the Reading and the
Central OF New Jersey In order to give
1t permanent assurance Of ready access
to New York"
"One feature of the unification plans
of special interest to Baltimore" 1t Is
pointed out by the Baltimore Sun. "is
that they are based on the assumption
that there are to be but four major
systems in the East. If the New york
Central and the Pennsylvania, as they
are expected to do, adopt the same
policy in their anticipated counter
proposals to the Interstate Commerce
powerful roads to fifth system would
seem likely to present immense obstacles
to its creation. So much may
be said without discouraging the city
authorities or local business organiZa-
lions in their fight to make the Western
Maryland the terminus here of another
system, but the difficulties which con-
front the plan should be recognized"
X
"These two systems" according to the
Providence Journal, "have fulfilled their
responsibilities of preparing definite
merger proposals in accordance both
with the recommendations of the Com
nerce Commission that such definite
action be taken by the carriers them
selves and with the sanction of public
opinion as expressed in various forms
and from a variety of sources. They
have done much-their full share to
date, In fact-to bring the whole East
ern consolidation program to conclu-
sion"
THE fact is" contends the Houston
Chronicle, I'VE will never have sensible
order in our rate structures, we will
never be able to assure adequate rail-
way service and we will never be able
to CO. ordinate water, bus and air trans
portation until a system of major merg-
ers can be effected. And this system
Of mergers need not curtail any COM
petition now existing. Our railways are
already aligned in major competitive
groups and any practical system Of
combination must be based on that
alignment"
I'm going ahead alone" suggests the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Van
Sweringens and the B. & o. may be
In position to compel their rival car
riers to listen to their demands and
thus to force compromise on the dis