The policy of Parliament in encouraging the
construction of rival railway routes and in fostering competition in the
supposed interest of the public was, even in those early days, bearing
fruit--dead sea fruit, as many a luckless holder of railway stock learned
to his cost.
Railway shareholders throughout the kingdom were growing angry. In the
case of the Midland--they appointed a committee of inquiry, and the
directors assented to the appointment. This committee was to examine and
report upon the general and financial conditions of the company, and was
invested with large powers.
About the same time also interviews took place between the Midland and
the London and North-Western, with the object of arranging an
amalgamation of the two systems. Some progress was made, but no formal
_engagement_ resulted, and so a very desirable union, between an
aristocratic bridegroom and a democratic bride, remained unaccomplished.
Mr. Ellis was chairman of the Midland at this time and Mr. George Carr
Glyn, afterwards the first Lord Wolverton, occupied a similar position on
the Board of the London and North-Western.
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