FINALE

Upon the retirement of President Whitcomb, in 1906, a new order of things seemed to be in store for the Central.  The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Ry. and the Flint & Pere Marquette Ry. established a new alliance, and rumor had it that the Central would enter to make it a trio. Certain sources of financial control promoted the deal which never materialized except in a temporary "favored interchange" of freight traffic among the three.

Of special interest in these proceedings was the election of George W. Webster as Director and Secretary of the road in 1907. As a young man, G. W. Webster became associated with Henry F. Whitcomb when Whitcomb was on his way up in the affairs of the Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western. A veteran in executive railroad management, Webster rose rapidly in the official operation of the Central, and in 1941 guided its destiny as Trustee. Behind him were forty-seven years of continuous service.

During the years 1907-1908, rumors circulated freely through the Central Organization concerning certain portentous schemes for consolidation with other roads, alluding variously to the B.&O., the C.H,&D., the Alton and the Soo.

The abundant speculation, much of it wild and extravagant, disturbed the morale of Central employees to no small extent. It was generally believed that some momentous change was in the making and ready to break.

The expected change was announced in 1908 election off directors and officers with the election of Newman Erb as President. Erb had been a Director of the C.H.&D., as had Geo. M. Cummings, who served on the Central Board of Directors in 1906-1907. All evidence seemed to point to the C.H.& D, as the coming ally of the Central.

The reign of Newman Erb was short lived. Erb served but a few months as president when the Soo Line acquired Priority in control of the Central.