New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-08
CONCLUSION
THE REPLY OF THE COMPANY.

btittt, NOV ou' 18Th
THE REPLY OF THE COMPANY.
| rIIr PRESIDENT DENIES THAT THE REPORTS WE'RE
KNER SUPPRESSED. AND ASSETS THAT THE OF
FICERs or TIE ROAD NEVER SAW TIFM-THE
! EtroEr OF HAAS CLAIMED 10 BE FAVORABLE
ONE.
The report OF Haas was shown to Mr.. Cass, the
President of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company
on Saturday morning last 10y TRIBUNE representa-
tive and his views in defense of the character OF the
| road were reouested While reading the report care
fully over Mr. Cass frequently made CALCULATIONS OF
disgust at the Commissioners unfamiliarity with
American land values, and his lack of appreciation
of the country's rapid growth and increasing pros
perity. Mr. Samuel Wilkeson, who was also shown
the report declared that Haas didn't know
ANYTHING about the subject Why said he,
the man did not 60 over all the road
rs he was sent to do, hut quarreled with his fellow
Commissioners in regard to the management of the
| expedition. and finally left them altogether and
made his own report without ever having seen Puget
Sound unless through glasses of lager-beer which
he was continually swiliing down.
Did you see his report, and that of his fellow
Commissioner, Fotzl
Never Sir. nor did we every try in any shape to
suppress them. They were offered to us for from
$4,000 all the way down to $500, but we would
never have anything to do with them, but only re-
phed Publish them as much as you like. We don't
/ care They published III the German papers,
although believe never translated into English
Who paid the expenses OF the visit OF these Ger
man gentlcmcn'
| We paid them finally. Jay Cooke & Co, our fiscal
agents. paid the bills Immediately. Ii was
through the rose-colored representations of their
agent in Vienna, George p Sargent, who duped
them. that they were induced 10 attempt the nego-
! tiation of this loan there.
| At the conclusion of the interview with Mr. Wilke
son. a consultation between him and the President
resulted in the preparation of the following state
ment TO which Mr.. Cass appended his signature:
! 10 the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: I acknowledge myself indebted TO you for copy
Of the report Of Commissioner Haas OF Berlin ~ his
principals IN Europe relative TO tho Northern Pacific
Railroad. / never saw the report until you were so
good as TO allow me to read It, has it been by
aly officer or member of this Company's Board Of d.
rectors The report made by Mr. Haas 10 his prin
cpals after his return to Europe and although as
understand copy asked for by some OF the officers
Of this company refused 10 them, notwithstand
inc the entire expenses OF Mr.. Haas in obtaining the
material for his report this country ultimately
paid by this company. I had heard that the to
| mort was quite unfayorabe. ] glad to find on
reading II that It is much favorable than could
! have been expected from European, especially one
from the Continent who had been in the United
States and who familiar with Its rapid develop
ment in railroad enterprises and the rapid settlement
along the railway lines throughout the Western country
He was net aware OF the fact that railroads had been
built in the United States through regions where TN
yoce Of civilization had hardly heard and where
the sound of the stroke OF the hammer in driving
the last spike in the last rail had scarcely ceased &c
| reverberate before large business was established
upon the This fact well as every other per
son familiar with our WESTERN STATES ana territories
have knowledge of.
baya heard II said that this report suppress sed nv
the officers OF this company, through its agency IN
some way and now repeat that the report never
seen by any officer OF the Northern Pacific until this day
nor were its contents known Therefore il
possible that any anxiety should have arisen among
directors for its suppression But the fact is it
was suppressed attempted 10 be suppressed, by any
officer or director Of the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany nor any their interest so far as is known.
| But 10 the report itself. ANY one who will read II
carefully will find that it is the whole most favor
abe report tins great enterprise; aud II it estab
fishes anything, It establishes:
That the estimated cost OF the construction OF the
road N entirely reasonable and that the Chief Engineer
Of the Company is welltried man Of reputation for
honesty. experience aud capacity beyond question
~ Tbat lie lands are sufficient 10 redeem the entire
ssue of bonds at 10 per cent premium and leave hand
some surplus OF these at the minimum price, at which
listing land grant roads the amount Of MAJ
eYceed by three or four times the OF bonds That
| is the second point when he admits.
That region OF country tnrOugh Which the North
ern Pacific Railroad buding OF the most fertile
ON the American Continent and Is IN every respect suit
able for colonization. .
THESE three admissions establish, In the opinion OF Mr.
Haas the Berlin Commissioner, the value OF the North
ern Pacific Railroad beyond controversy. His 0bec-
uns TO The enterprise be stated thus: That owing
10 the spafsensss of The population and the slOwness OF
emigration along the line Of the road for period OF
wears not definitely stated the earnings or the road
wouid be sufficient To protect the interest on the
bonds. objections have been advanced 10 every
land grant road that has been built IN this country not
only Dy foreigners, but by our own people. VINO might
he supposed better. And yet, IN the face OIL
apprehensiODs, the business OF all these
roads rapidly developing the property greatly Gu
HANGED 10 value and their interest their bonds pro
teeted every case There good reason 10 suppose
that the Northern Pacific IL going 10 IL al exception 10
similar land grant roads. On the contrary, the Northern
Pacific Railroad has far greater elements Of undeyeOped
wealth aud resources than the Illinois Central road had
| Ia the earlier stages OF its existence.
| presume that Mr. FOiZ and Mr.. DenteX, Associate
Commissioners with Mr. Haas, have also prepared re
ports which may receive publication at THIS Juncufc
have seen either OF these reports, nor 40 Know
even by rumor. their character but have mo belie
that contain statements against the practcabtS
of e Northern Pacific Railroad enterprise ana reason
able promise Of abundant success for the undertaking
! when completed which cannot be refuted with test
In0ny that all unpreudiced men shall feel 10 DE SUI
| cent. =, - r, . W, w, CNse, 49,.
once Of the Northern Fee.Hs RG.i@as Company sept
| "A, le7a