Trunk-Line Plan

For some time conferences between the leading trunk-line railroads into New York have been going on. They have been held alternately in the headquarters of the Pnnsylvania and the New York Central, and besides the representatives of those roads, officials of the B. & O. and the Van Sweringens, heads of the new "Nickel Plate" merger, have attended. The inclusion of the latter, incidentally, proves that they have "arrived" in the railroad sense.

The purpose of these conferences has been to develop a plan of consolidation according to the terms of the Transportation Act, yet satisfactory to the leading roads themselves. Apart from the New England roads, there are now nine roads in this territory, and the problem really is how they can be reduced to four groups.

Not since the days of Harriman and Hill has the country seen so much enthusiasm for railroad mergers, or such a gathering of chieftains to cooperate in railroad consolidations. The definite conclusions of the conferences has not been announced, but the bare fact that they are being held is in itself highly significant.