Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-25
SIDNEY DILLON.
What He Has to Say About the
Depot, the Headquarters'
Building, the Bridge Con-
troversy, Etc.
A Bright Prospect for Omaha

arrival here has been so Deslegeu ny
visitors and by business, that the
newspaper reporters have failed thus
far to obtain an introduction to the
distinguished gentleman, for the
purpose of an interview. Saturday
afternoon, however, a BEE reporter
had the honor of an introduction to
Mr.. Dillon, and at once began to
interview him.
He objected to everything being
taken down verbatim, and reques-
ted the reporter to draw his own
conclusions from the conversation.
Mr.. Dillon is a very affable gen.
tleman, receiving us kindly, and
expressing himself freely in regard
to the affairs of the Union Pacific.
In answer to our question as to
whether the new buildings were to
be proceeded with at once, and
pushed to a hasty completion, he re-
piled in substance, that he had
come here to look over the ground,
&c. He had spent all morning in
company with chief engineer
Sickles, in inspecting the new
depot, the location, plans, &C., but
had not vet obtained as good an
idea as he had wished, and he in
tended to look further into the mat
ter. He had not come here, as some
supposed, an all powerful autocrat,
able to have things done at the
mere nod of his head or the beck of
hand; but on the contrary he
wished to obtain a definite idea of
everything, and then report any
plans that he might form, to the
executive board for adoption. He
had never seen the plans of the
new depot and headquarters build
ing, until his arrival i'm Omaha.
But he assured us that In all proba-
bility the work would 60 on to COM
pletion without anv great delay.
He expressed himself satisfied
with Union Pacific matters gener-
ally, i'm Omaha; the officers were all
alive to the execution of their du-
ties; the shops were in excellent
condition, and were being splendid
ly managed.
But he found great fault with
Omaha and Douglas county, for
taxing the bridge $4,000 per n
mum, $4,000 for city tax and $lO,-
900 for county tax. He it was, he
said, who gave to Omaha that
bridge. He had the controlling vote
whichwould locate it either at Belle
vue or at Omaha. He voted in ia
o of Omaha, and she got it. Had
she lost his vote, she would never
have amounted to anything. Mr.
Dillon was emphatic in this cOnnec-
ton, and seemed to have consider
able feeling i'm regard to it. He al
so blamed Representative Crounse
for his action in having the Union
Pacific lands taxed, lands to which
they had not yet obtained a patent
from the government. He called it
a "stab" at the road.
Mr.. Dillon is of the opinion that
the Congressional action in regard
to the bridge and terminus ques-
ton will never amount to anything.
He believes that it is q matter
which, if ever settled, will be deci-
ded by the Courts, which he regards
as a higher authority than himself.
All Mr.. Dillon wants is to have the
bridge controversy let alone to take
its course, it may be, to the Courts.
1t is something that he has not the
power, although having the inclin-
alton, to decide.
MI. Dillon Indignantly refuted all
insinuatiOns to the effect that he
was in favor of Council Bluffs. Al
the interests he had there, were a
few town lots that had so deprecia-
ted that he wished to God some
body would take them Off his hands
at half what they cost him.
As to the reported discharge of a
large number of men at the shops,
Mr.. Dillon informed US that he
knew nothing of it; but that he had
stated that not so many cars would
have to be built this year as last
The only conclusion, therefore, is
that there not being so much work
to do, a less number of men will be
required to perform it.
This ended the interview, and We
have endeavored to give Mr.. Dillon's
conversation correctly in substance.
Everything, it seems, is favorable
to Omaha;the depot buildings, being
necessary local Improvements, must
and Will go ahead; while the bot
tom will drop out of the bridge fight.
There are the conclusions to be
drawn from Mr.. Dillon's coversa-
ton.
Wehave no doubt that the freight
difficulty will be settled before MI.
Dillon returns to the East, as it is
generally believed that the "JOwa
pool" would be willing to return to
the old rates if they can. Mr.. Dill
Ion remarked that it was a
difficulty which would work itself
out right in a short time.
T. c. Drummer, PRODUCE DEALER.
may2l st