[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27903]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 10, 1994]


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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION

[Finance Docket No. 32549]

 

Burlington Northern Inc. and Burlington Northern Railroad 
Company--Control and Merger--Santa Fe Pacific Corporation and The 
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company

AGENCY: Interstate Commerce Commission.

ACTION: Decision No. 5; Notice of Acceptance of Application.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is accepting for consideration the application 
filed October 13, 1994, by Burlington Northern Inc. (BNI), Burlington 
Northern Railroad Company (BN), Santa Fe Pacific Corporation (SFP), and 
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company (Santa Fe) 
(collectively applicants), seeking Commission approval and 
authorization under 49 U.S.C. 11343-45 for: (1) BNI's acquisition of, 
control of, and merger with SFP; (2) the resulting common control of BN 
and Santa Fe by the merged company; and (3) the merger of the two 
railroad entities. Applicants are directed to provide certain 
additional information.

DATES: The effective date of this decision is November 10, 1994. 
Written comments on the primary application, including initial lists of 
protective conditions, must be filed with the Commission no later than 
December 27, 1994, and second lists of protective conditions must be 
filed by January 24, 1995. Responsive applications must be filed by 
February 8, 1995. For further information, see the attached procedural 
schedule.1

    \1\The procedural schedule set forth below was adopted in 
Decision No. 4 in this proceeding, served October 5, 1994.
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ADDRESSES: An original and 20 copies of all documents must refer to 
Finance Docket No. 32549 and be sent to Office of the Secretary, Case 
Control Branch, Attn: Finance Docket No. 32549, Interstate Commerce 
Commission, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423.
    In addition, one copy of all documents in this proceeding must be 
sent to each of applicants' representatives: (1) Betty Jo Christian, 
Esq., Steptoe & Johnson, 1330 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 
20036-1795; and (2) Erika Z. Jones, Esq., Mayer, Brown & Platt, 2000 
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 6500, Washington, DC 20006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon or Chris Oehrle (202) 
927-5610. [TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 1994, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 
11343-45 and our rules at 49 CFR 1180.4, applicants filed an 
application for approval of BNI's acquisition of, control of, and 
merger with SFP, the resulting common control of BN and Santa Fe by the 
merged company, the consolidation of BN and Santa Fe railroad 
operations and the merger of BN and Santa Fe. Applicants are also 
seeking exemption from regulation under 49 U.S.C. 10505 for the merged 
holding company and merged railroad to control The Wichita Union 
Terminal Railway Company (WUTR) [Finance Docket No. 32549 (Sub-No. 1)] 
and for eleven construction projects related to the primary application 
[Finance Docket No. 32549 (Sub-No. 2 through Sub-No. 12)].2 We are 
accepting for consideration the control and merger application filed in 
this proceeding.
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    \2\ Under 49 CFR 1180.4(c)(2)(vi), all directly related 
applications, petitions, and notices of exemption must be filed 
concurrently with the primary control and merger application. We 
note that there are two pending proceedings that may be related to 
the proposed merger. The question is whether these proceedings are 
directly related to the merger within the meaning of 49 CFR 
1180.4(c)(2)(vi).
    The first proceeding is Docket No. AB-423 (Sub-No. 1X), which 
involves a petition for exemption to discontinue the lease and 
operation of a rail yard in Houston filed by the Houston Belt & 
Terminal Railway Company (HBT). Although HBT is not an applicant 
carrier in the merger proceeding, BN has a 24% interest and Santa Fe 
has a 25% interest in HBT. See the waiver decision in Finance Docket 
No. 32549, Decision No. 3, served Oct. 4, 1994. The petition in 
Docket No. AB-423 (Sub-No. 1X) was filed on July 8, 1994, which was 
the same day that applicants filed their notice of intent to file 
the merger application in Finance Docket No. 32549. A separate 
decision is being issued in Docket No. AB-423 (Sub-No. 1X) directing 
petitioner to clarify the relationship, if any, between the subject 
matter of the petition for exemption and the merger transaction in 
Finance Docket No. 32549.
    The second proceeding is Finance Docket No. 32593, which is a 
notice of a corporate family reorganization filed by Santa Fe under 
the class exemption procedures at 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(3). The 
reorganization involves the purchase by Santa Fe of all of the real 
estate and improvements now owned by four of its subsidiary 
railroads. According to the notice filed by Santa Fe, the purpose of 
the reorganization is to concentrate Santa Fe's railroad real estate 
holdings in a single corporation and to reduce administrative 
expenses. There is no mention of the proposed merger application 
which was filed 10 days after the filing of the notice in Finance 
Docket No. 32593. Notice of the transaction in Finance Docket No. 
32593 will be published separately in the Federal Register. Santa Fe 
is directed in that proceeding to explain the relationship, if any, 
between the corporate family reorganization in Finance Docket No. 
32593 and the proposed merger in Finance Docket No. 32549. Comments 
from other parties on Santa Fe's corporate family reorganization 
(including any comments alleging that the reorganization is directly 
related to the application in Finance Docket No. 32549) should be 
addressed in Finance Docket No. 32593.
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    Upon receipt of Commission approval and authorization and 
satisfaction of other conditions to closing under an Agreement and Plan 
of Merger dated June 29, 1994, SFP will merge with and into BNI, which 
will change its name to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. Each 
share of SFP common stock will be exchanged for 0.34 shares of newly 
issued BNI common stock. Upon the BNI-SFP merger, BNI will acquire and 
exercise control of Santa Fe in common with its existing control of 
BN.3 The operations of BN and Santa Fe will be consolidated and 
fully integrated following the holding company merger. Applicants also 
seek Commission approval to merge the BN and Santa Fe legal entities, 
although the timing of the railroad merger will depend on tax, legal 
and other considerations.
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    \3\ Santa Fe and its majority-owned railroad subsidiaries--The 
Dodge City and Cimarron Valley Railway Company, The Gulf and Inter-
State Railway Company of Texas, Los Angeles Junction Railway 
Company, Oklahoma City Junction Railway Company, Rio Grande, El Paso 
and Santa Fe Railway Company and Star Lake Railroad Company--are an 
integrated single system railroad. Santa Fe Pacific Railroad 
Company, a non-operating rail carrier entity, likewise is part of 
Santa Fe's single system. As such, the acquisition of control of 
Santa Fe by BNI involves the control of a single carrier within the 
meaning of 49 U.S.C. 11343. See Robert W. Bethge & Raymond K. 
Wilson--Control Exemption--Canal Cartage Co., Finance Docket No. MC-
F-19525 (served Nov. 29, 1989); Burlington Northern, Inc.--Control 
and Merger--St. Louis-San Francisco Ry., 366 I.C.C. 862, 865, aff'd 
sub nom. Brotherhood of Ry. & Airline Clerks v. Burlington Northern 
Inc., 722 F.2d 380 (8th Cir. 1983); Katy Indus., Inc.--Control--
Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R., 331 I.C.C. 405, 410-411 (1967); Kansas 
City Southern Indus. Inc.--Control--Kansas City S. Ry., 317 I.C.C. 
1, 4 (1962); Woods Indus., Inc.--Control--United Transports, Inc., 
85 M.C.C. 672, 675 (1960); Louisville & Jeffersonville B. & R. Co. 
Merger, 295 I.C.C. 11, 17-18 (1955), aff'd sub nom. Alleghany Corp. 
v. Breswick & Co., 353 U.S. 151 (1957).
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    As a result of the proposed transaction, the merged company will 
also acquire control of WUTR, in which BN and Santa Fe each own a one-
third stock interest. A petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10505 
from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11343-47 for the 
acquisition and exercise of control of WUTR was filed concurrently with 
the primary application [Finance Docket No. 32549 (Sub-No. 1)].
    No new securities will be issued by any company subject to 
Commission regulation under 49 U.S.C. 11301 to effect the merger of BNI 
and SFP or the common control of BN and Santa Fe. To the extent BN's 
succession to then-outstanding debt obligations of Santa Fe in the 
merger of the railroad entities may be deemed to require Commission 
authorization under 49 U.S.C. 11301, applicants seek such 
authorization, and provide the relevant information in accordance with 
49 CFR 1180.6(a)(1)(iv).
    In connection with the transaction, applicants propose to construct 
new railroad lines that are or may be subject to the jurisdiction of 
the Commission under 49 U.S.C. 10901. Petitions for exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10505 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 
for the construction of those railroad lines were filed concurrently 
with the primary application [Finance Docket No. 32549 (Sub-No. 2 
through Sub-No. 12)].
    BN operates approximately 25,000 miles of road and second main 
track in the United States and Canada. BN's principal routes are as 
follows: a route that extends from the Pacific Northwest (Washington, 
Oregon, Idaho, and southern British Columbia) across Montana, North 
Dakota, Minnesota, and the western edge of Wisconsin to Chicago; a 
route extending from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming in a 
southeasterly direction through Lincoln to Chicago and Kansas City; a 
second route extending from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming south to 
Denver and Fort Worth; a route extending from the Powder River Basin in 
Montana to Bismarck and Minneapolis/St. Paul, with an auxiliary line to 
the Head of the Lakes; a route from Denver to Chicago with a junction 
at Lincoln; a route from Avard, Oklahoma east to Memphis and 
Birmingham; and a route from Chicago to Houston through Kansas City and 
Dallas, with an auxiliary line from St. Louis to a junction point east 
of Tulsa. BN's principal termini are at Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane, 
Washington; Portland, Oregon; Bieber, California; Vancouver, British 
Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Billings, Montana; Cheyenne, Wyoming; 
Denver, Colorado; Duluth, Minnesota/Superior, Wisconsin; Fargo, North 
Dakota/Moorhead, Minnesota; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Chicago, 
Illinois; Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Wichita and 
Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis, Missouri; 
Tulsa, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Galveston, Texas; 
Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, 
Florida. BN's principal points of interchange are at those termini and 
at Avard, Oklahoma.
    As of December 31, 1993, BN operated approximately 22,506 miles of 
road track, 2,134 miles of second main track and 39 miles of other main 
tracks in the United States and Canada.
    Santa Fe operates approximately 10,400 miles of road and secondary 
main tracks, creating a system of 8,500 route miles. Santa Fe's 
principal routes are as follows: a route from Chicago across Illinois, 
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to 
California; a second route from Kansas City to Colorado and New Mexico 
with an auxiliary line to Superior, Nebraska; and a route from Chicago 
to Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston with an auxiliary line to East Texas 
and Louisiana. Santa Fe's principal termini are at San Francisco/
Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Barstow, California; Phoenix, 
Arizona; Albuquerque and Clovis, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado; El Paso, 
Dallas, and Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Chicago, Illinois.
    As of December 31, 1993, Santa Fe operated approximately 8,536 
miles of road track, 1,812 miles of second main track and 45 miles of 
other main tracks, including the lines of its wholly owned subsidiaries 
and leased lines.
    According to applicants, the consolidation of BN and Santa Fe would 
be almost entirely an end-to-end transaction, which would create new 
single-line routes and increase, not reduce, competition. In terms of 
both geographic configuration and commodities handled, applicants 
indicate that their existing rail operations are essentially 
complementary to one another. BN's routes are concentrated in the Upper 
Midwest, the Northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest. From this 
defining core, BN's lines extend into the south central region of the 
country, but with much less market coverage than in the North. Santa Fe 
serves the area from California through the Southwest, reaching up 
through the Midwest to Chicago. The principal commodities handled by BN 
are coal and grain. A primary focus of Santa Fe's business is 
intermodal traffic.
    According to applicants, both BN and Santa Fe operate in a highly 
competitive environment and face pervasive competition from other rail 
carriers as well as from trucks and barges in many markets. Applicants 
contend that, with only a few limited exceptions, the proposed 
transaction does not threaten any reduction in the vigor of intramodal 
competition. Applicants contend that the bulk of the BN and Santa Fe 
systems do not overlap in horizontal competition. Applicants also 
indicate that no horizontal overlap exists in the three major corridors 
from the mid-continent to the west coast. BN operates in the Northern 
Corridor; Santa Fe operates in the Southern Corridor. Where overlap is 
present, applicants indicate that it almost always occurs in the 
presence of extensive competition with other providers of freight 
transportation services. Applicants' analyses, however, indicate the 
possibility for some limited reduction in competition in the areas of 
Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas. Concerning this area, applicants say that 
they are prepared to negotiate ameliorative arrangements to address any 
such reductions in competition.
    Applicants state that there will be few basic changes in the 
existing route structure. Applicants find that the Avard, OK gateway 
route will experience the most pronounced change. Applicants also 
project that California-Southeast traffic will increase significantly 
and that traffic on the route east of Avard to Tulsa will approximately 
double due to a combination of growth and internal reroutes. 
Applicants' traffic projections also involve increases in intermodal, 
merchandise, and grain traffic.
    BN and Santa Fe routes between Denver and Texas and between Chicago 
and Texas also possess some parallel characteristics. Applicants, 
however, find that each route is generally far removed from its 
counterpart and each serves other different, but important, traffic 
lanes and, therefore, no major change in overall uses and traffic 
density is planned.
    We are accepting the application for consideration because it 
complies with the applicable regulations, waivers, and requirements. 
See 49 U.S.C. 11343-45; 49 CFR Part 1180. We reserve the right, 
however, to require the filing of supplemental information from 
applicants or any other party or individual, as necessary to complete 
the record in this matter.
    Although applicants have provided sufficient market analysis under 
49 CFR 1180.7 for us to accept their application for consideration, we 
find that additional information will be necessary for us to analyze 
the effect of this transaction on certain other railroads. 
Specifically, we are concerned about railroads which have interests in 
either WUTR or HBT.
    In our decision served October 3, 1994 [Decision No. 3], we waived 
our regulations at 49 CFR 1180.3(b) pertaining to WUTR and HBT by not 
considering either of them an ``applicant carrier.'' Consequently, we 
are lacking certain information that we believe is necessary to conduct 
our market analysis. Therefore, applicants are directed to provide us 
with additional information concerning WUTR and HBT.
    In Finance Docket No. 32549 (Sub-No. 1), applicants seek an 
exemption for their control of WUTR. In their petition, applicants 
indicate that the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (MP) owns the other 
one-third stock interest in WUTR. Applicants state in the petition that 
they expect MP will continue to participate in WUTR's management and 
that applicants' control will not impair MP's ability to obtain service 
from WUTR. Applicants are directed to provide copies of any agreement 
concerning use of that property.
    Although BN and Santa Fe currently own only 24% and 25% of HBT, 
respectively, in the event of consolidation, their combined interests 
may constitute control of HBT. Therefore, we will direct applicants to 
provide us with the following information:
    1. Identify the owners of HBT and their respective ownership 
percentages.
    2. Identify any railroads dependent on HBT in order to interchange 
with other carriers (specify which carriers) or to connect their own 
lines through the city. Explain each dependent circumstance.
    3. Explain whether the agreement or agreements governing the use of 
the property held or owned by HBT protect any other owners of HBT from 
adverse effects in the event of consolidation. Provide copies of any 
agreement concerning use of that property.
    Because of the expedited procedural schedule, additional 
information will be necessary to assist us in preparing prompt and 
complete analysis of the transaction. Therefore, applicants are 
directed to provide us with a current complete set of employee 
operating timetables for both BN and Santa Fe.
    In our Decision No. 4, served October 5, 1994, we adopted an 
expedited procedural schedule, and we have attached it here to give 
notice to all interested persons. All of the filing deadlines are in 
accordance with the statute and governing regulations, as modified by 
the expedited procedural schedule. We advise applicants and all other 
parties to this proceeding that, particularly because of the 
accelerated schedule we have adopted, they must strictly comply with 
all requirements.4 If questions arise concerning an interpretation 
of a requirement, they may contact the Commission's Office of 
Proceedings at 202-927-5610 for assistance. See 49 CFR 
1180.4(c)(6)(iii).
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    \4\ By petition filed October 28, 1994, The National Industrial 
Transportation League (NITL) requests that the procedural schedule 
adopted in and attached to our decision served October 5, 1994, 
Decision No. 4, be extended by adding 30 days to each of the time 
periods specified. NITL's primary concern is the possibility that 
the application will be modified or withdrawn as a result of the 
actions of SFP's shareholders at their meeting scheduled for 
November 18, 1994.
    Under 49 CFR 1180.4(b)(7)(i), our decision to accept the 
application cannot be extended . Further, comments by parties and 
interested persons are not due until December 27, 1994. We see no 
reason to extend the procedural schedule at this time. Accordingly 
petitioner's request is denied.
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    The application and accompanying exhibits are available for 
inspection in the Public Docket Room, room 1221, at the offices of the 
Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, DC.
    Any interested persons, including government parties, may 
participate in this proceeding by submitting written comments regarding 
the application. Comments must be filed no later than December 27, 
1994. An original and 20 copies must be filed with the Secretary, 
Interstate Commerce Commission, Washington, DC 20423.
    Written comments must be concurrently served by first class mail on 
the United States Secretary of Transportation (DOT), the Attorney 
General of the United States (DOJ), and applicants' representatives. 
Written comments must also be served upon all parties of record within 
10 days of service of the service list by the Commission. We plan to 
issue the service list shortly after comments have been received. Any 
person who files timely written comments shall be considered a party of 
record if he, she, or it so indicates in their comments. In this event, 
no petition for leave to intervene need be filed. Written comments 
shall include:
    1. The docket number and title of the proceeding;
    2. The name, address, and telephone number of the commenting party 
and its representative upon whom service shall be made;
    3. The commenting party's position, i.e., whether it supports or 
opposes the proposed transaction;
    4. A statement on whether the commenting party intends to 
participate formally in the proceeding or merely comment upon the 
proposal;
    5. A list of all information sought to be discovered from applicant 
carriers;
    6. An initial list of specific protective conditions sought;
    7. An analysis of the issues the Commission must consider in this 
proceeding. Particular attention should be given to our general policy 
statement for the merger or control of at least two class I railroads, 
49 CFR 1180.1, the statutory criteria, and antitrust policy.
    Because we have determined that this proceeding constitutes a major 
transaction within the meaning of our rail consolidation rules, 49 CFR 
Part 1180, railroads filing written comments must also submit at that 
time a statement of whether the commenting railroad intends to file 
inconsistent applications, petitions for inclusion, trackage rights, or 
any other affirmative relief requiring an application to be filed with 
the Commission and a general statement of what that application is 
expected to include. THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED A PREFILING NOTICE WITHOUT 
WHICH THE COMMISSION WILL NOT ENTERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR THIS TYPE OF 
RELIEF.
    Comments from the Secretary of Transportation and Attorney General 
must be filed by January 11, 1995. Parties seeking to modify any 
protective conditions specified in their initial comments must file a 
second list of protective conditions no later than January 24, 1995. 
Parties shall not be permitted to seek any protective conditions other 
than those requested in their final list.
    Parties seeking to file responsive applications must do so no later 
than February 8, 1995. Responsive applications include inconsistent 
applications, petitions for inclusion, or any other affirmative relief 
that requires an application to be filed with the Commission (such as 
trackage rights, purchase, purchase of a portion, acquisition, 
extension, construction, operation, pooling, terminal operations, 
abandonment, etc.). Parties should contact Chris Oehrle (202) 927-6288 
to obtain docket numbers for their responsive applications.
    Petitions for waiver or clarification by responsive applicants 
shall be filed no later than December 27, 1994. Each responsive 
application filed and accepted will be consolidated with the primary 
application in this proceeding.5
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    \5\ In addition to submitting an original and 20 copies of all 
documents filed with the Commission, the parties are encouraged to 
submit all pleadings and attachments as computer data contained on a 
3.5-inch floppy diskette which is formatted for WordPerfect 5.1 (or 
formatted so that it can be converted by WordPerfect 5.1). The 
computer data contained on the computer diskettes submitted are 
subject to the protective order attached to the Commission's 
decision served July 15, 1994, and are for the exclusive use of 
Commission employees working directly with review of substantive 
matters in this proceeding. The flexibility provided by such 
computer file data will facilitate expedited review by the 
Commission and its staff.
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    Discovery may begin immediately. The Commission will not tolerate 
dilatory tactics in response to discovery requests designed to elicit 
relevant evidence. A refusal voluntarily to supply information will be 
treated as an objection to the request for discovery. Responses must be 
served upon all parties of record, and five copies of those responses 
must be concurrently filed with the Commission.
    We plan to conclude the evidentiary phase of this proceeding by 
January 2, 1996. The initial decision will be waived, and the 
determination of the merits of the application(s) will be made in the 
first instance by the entire Commission under 49 U.S.C. 11345.
    Any traffic studies and data submitted in opposition to the primary 
application must use calendar year 1993 data and, where relevant, use 
depreciation accounting, in order to be comparable with the evidence 
submitted by applicants. Evidence supporting protestants' responsive 
applications must use 1993 as the base year and the depreciation 
accounting system, and applicants' evidence in opposition to the 
responsive applications must use 1993 and depreciation accounting.
    We advise protestants that, if they seek to have the primary 
application denied, or seek conditions if approved, because they 
contend their ability to provide essential service and/or competition 
will be harmed, they must present substantial evidence in support of 
their positions. See Lamoille Valley R.R. Co. v. ICC, 711 F.2d 295 
(D.C. Cir. 1983).
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
    It is ordered:
    1. The application in Finance Docket No. 32549 is accepted for 
consideration.
    2. The parties shall comply with all provisions as stated above.
    3. Applicants are directed to provide the Commission's Office of 
Compliance and Enforcement with a current complete set of employee 
operating timetables for both BN and Santa Fe within 30 days of the 
effective date of this decision.
    4. Applicants are directed to provide copies of any agreement 
concerning use of property operated by WUTR within 10 days of the 
effective date of this decision.
    5. Applicants are directed to provide the following information 
within 10 days of the effective date of this decision:
    a. Identify the owners of HBT and their respective ownership 
percentages.
    b. Identify any railroads dependent on HBT in order to interchange 
with other carriers (specify which carriers) or to connect their own 
lines through the city. Explain each dependent circumstance.
    c. Explain whether the agreement or agreements governing the use of 
the property held or owned by HBT could adversely affect any other 
owners of HBT in the event of consolidation. Provide copies of any 
agreement concerning use of that property.
    6. This decision is effective on November 10, 1994.

    Decided: November 3, 1994.

    By the Commission, Chairman McDonald, Vice Chairman Phillips, 
and Commissioners Simmons, Morgan, and Owen. Vice Chairman Phillips 
recused herself in this proceeding.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.

Procedural Schedule

October 13, 1994--Primary application filed.
November 10, 1994--Commission notice of acceptance of primary 
application published.
December 27, 1994--Comments on primary application (except DOJ, DOT) 
due, including initial list of protective conditions; petitions for 
waiver or clarification by responsive applicants due.
January 11, 1995--DOJ, DOT comments on primary application due.
January 24, 1995--Second lists of protective conditions due.
February 8, 1995--Responsive applications due; opposition to primary 
application due.
March 10, 1995--Commission notice of acceptance of responsive 
applications published.
June 8, 1995--Government parties' evidence due; opposition to 
responsive applications due; rebuttal in support of primary application 
due.
July 24, 1995--Responses to government parties' evidence due; rebuttal 
in support of responsive applications due.
August 14, 1995-August 18, 1995--Hearing on all evidence; witnesses to 
be to cross-examined only to the extent specific need is shown in order 
to resolve material issues of disputed fact.
October 2, 1995--Opening briefs due.
November 16, 1995--Reply briefs due.
January 2, 1996 Oral argument.
February 16, 1996 Voting Conference.
April 1, 1996 Final decision.

    Notes: Immediately upon each evidentiary filing, the filing party 
will place all documents relevant to the filing (other than documents 
that are privileged or otherwise protected from discovery) in a 
depository open to all parties, and will make its witnesses available 
for discovery depositions. Access to documents subject to protective 
order will be appropriately restricted. Parties seeking discovery 
depositions may proceed by agreement. Relevant excerpts of transcripts 
will be received in lieu of cross-examination at the hearing, unless 
cross-examination is needed to resolve material issues of disputed 
fact. Discovery on responsive applications will begin immediately upon 
their filing. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to this proceeding 
will have the authority initially to resolve any discovery disputes. 
The dates for filing post-hearing briefs and for oral argument before 
the Commission will be set upon completion of oral hearings.

[FR Doc. 94-27903 Filed 11-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7035-01-P