New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-05-03
TRUNK LINE DISAGREEMENT

TRUNK LINE DISAGREEMENT
The Western Maryland railroad IL
a line which roughly runs west from
Baltimore in the general direction Of
Pittsburgh. Once upon time it was
an independent line. Around 1904 it
was made part of the Gould system
and was 10 provide q new trunk line
from the West. in conjunction with
the Wabash, which runs from the
West to Pittsburgh. The Goulda
built 4 nice passenger station in
Pittsburgh, which now 10 called 4
chapel" because 1t In rarely occu.
pied by anyone. The scheme fell
through. because economically the
through line could not compete with
the Pennsylvania or the Baltimore
Il Ohio.
A year or so ago the Baltimore 4
Ohio bought the controlling interest
in the Western Maryland. This pur-
chase did not meet with the ap-
prevail of the Interstate Commerce
Commission and il still before it. The
Pennsylvania meanwhile bought a
controlling interest in the wabash.
/ Now it IL = question ~ to which Of
these two lines is to control the
! fabrication Of 4 fifth trunk line"
composed Of the Wabash and the
Western Maryland.
II 1t IL against the law for the
B. 4 o. to control the w. NJ. then
it IL likewise against the law for the
Pennay to control the Wabash. The
Pennsy already has a line between
Pittsburgh and Chicago-indeed, 1t
has two routes The Wabash Is 4
competing line between those cities.
So is the B. 4 0.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has 4 stiff question before it.
Possession may be nine tenths Of the
law, ana both contending trunk lines
are in the possessor class. Lined up
with the B. & o. IL the Chesapeake
4 Ohio. while the New York Gen.
trail offers sympathy and probably
more II necessary. The other lines do
not care for the schemes Of the
Pennsylvania, and seem inclined to
aid one another ~ much A. possible.
The New York Central has developed
the Pittsburh and Lake Erie. running
into Pittsburgh from Central con-
nectiohs and it is hard competitor
for the Pennsy for local trade. The
B. & O.. wishing the Buffalo 4 Sus-
Quehanna, which also runs into
Pittsburgh. receives the good will Of
the Central and the c. T. 0. In the
effort.
For years the Pennsy and the r.
T. o. had virtually divided the rich
tonnage originating At the Pitts
bursh steel mill district. Then the
Wabash penetrated into this gold
mine territory despite what the
other two lines could do about it;
and a connecting line was built be-
tween Pittsburgh and the Western
Maryland by the Gould interests.
Then the Central penetrated into the
territory with its little giant" road
from Lake Erie. Now there is gem
eral scramble under a new &et-up
and with the hope the situation will
remain permanent.
The Western Maryland is not as
much Of a competing line to the
B. T. o. as the wabash in to the
Pennsylvania. The w. NJ. does not
run to Washington. and 1t does not
touch the same cities and towns en-
route with it's main line. But the
Wabash virtually parallels the
Pennsylvania west from Pittsburgh
, TO Chicago. II the I. c. c. rules the
r. & o. cannot retain ownership in
the Western Maryland then the same
principle will force the Pennsy to
give up its ownership in the Wabash.
A the three eastern trunk lines
fighting the Pennsylvania work to-
gether like lodge brothers at present.
it seems reasonable 10 suppose that
= If the Pennsylvania loses anything
the others eventually will gain.
Meanwhile, with all this corporate
warfare under way. the day of con-
solidation seems far distant.