CCI’s lawyers felt that no difficulty would be encountered in gaining the approval of theInterstate Commerce Commission for the merger, and the closing date for the acquisition was set forOctober 1, 1988. Mr. Evans realized that the funds for the Midland acquisition would have to beraised from outside sources. Given that Midland would add $8.4 million in earnings before interestand taxes (EBIT) to CCI on an annual basis, he felt that such external financing would not be difficultto obtain.