Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-16
THE RAILROAD GOBBLE.

THE RAILROAD GOBBLE.
The Sale of the Duluth Read and what's
Said About 1t in Railroad Circles.
As was expected, the report of the pur-
chase of a controlling interest in the st.
Panl & Duluth railroad by parties largely IN
terested in the Lake Michigan system of
railroads, given in the GLOBE yesterday,
proved the sensation of the day. It was the
subject of conversation everywhere, and
while no one doubted the right of
the parties named to place their
money in such enterprises as seemed to
them best, there was general regret ex-
pressed that the only rail line in Minnesota
with an outlet independent of the lake
Michigan system had been submerged by
that interest, and also general expression
of fear that the transfer would of necessity
result in injury to the best interests of not
only st. Paul and Minneapolis but of the
entire State. However, as one far-seeipg
and wide-awake business man expressed it,
"this country is getting too
large to have its transporta-
ton, or any other interest controlled By any
one man or combination Of men, and if the
new owners should attempt to use their
purchase to the detriment of the State,
way would be found very speedily to bring
| about a different state of things"
With view of ascertaining additional in
formation relating to the transaction, if
possible, and gathering up expressions of
opinion relative thereto, a GLOBE envoy
made number of calls yesterday, but met
| with poor returns, as rule. His first visit
| was to the Office of MI, John @. Adams. the
representative in st. Paul of Mr.. David
Dows, and who was recently elected to the
direction in place of Mr.. VIM. Dawson. This
change was the first intimation that the
| transfer now made was to OCCUR. Mr..
Adams was found to be absent in New York.
The next visit was to the general Offices
of the st. Paul & Duluth railroad company.
AS anticipated President Ilsley was absent
in Philadelphia, and Messrs. Sewell and
West knew nothing of the matter more than
they had seen in the GLOBE, but that report
was so circumstantial that they had no
reason to doubt its correctness.
Mr.. F. B. CT ,rk, the traffic manager of
the Chicago, st. Paul & Minneapolis rail-
road, in which Mr.. Porter and Mr.. Bows are
| the principal owners, was next called upon.
He knew nothing of the transaction person
ally, but from his knowledge of the men,
| and their ideas with reference to railroading
| in the Northwest, he was incl red to think the
GLOBE report we'll founded. He believed the
purchase good one He was also inclined
| to the opinion that while the new interest
| would be represented in the board of direc-
ton, he doubted if there would be any radi-
cal change IN the management; that Mr.. lis
ley would retain his position as president,
i nv E.
alton of the road as now. Ali this was,
not based upon any actual knowledge of
the matter.
Crossing over to the opposite corner,
where Judge Chandler and his assis-
tants, of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& st. Paul, hold forth-another
party to the purchase it is said-the Judge
met the reporter with the remark that he
had not purchased a railroad, nor did he
know of any one who had. The reporter
thanked the judge for his information, and
then remarked it was hot. The Judge said
it was, and that David Bows was interested
in more railroads than any other man in the
| Northwest. He was director in the Chica-
go, st. Paul & Minneapolis, the North
Wisconsin, the Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul, the Chicago & Rock Island, the Bur
Engton & Quincy, and he did not know
how many others. When he saw
chance to make money IN rail-
road he went in, and twas very probable
he thought he saw such chance in the
purchase of the stock of the st. Paul &
Duluth road. Mr.. II. 81. Porter was
good deal the same kind of man. He owns
majority of the stock of the West Wlscon-
sin, it is said, bought when it was worth
little or nothing. upon which he could re-
alize, if he should sell at the price to- day,
clear million dollars profit. So his friends
say.
"What about Mr.. Merrill.''
ooh, Mr.. Merrill is railroad man, but
going upon the supposition that all these men
have gone in and purchased majority
of the stock named, and it doesn't
necessarily follow that the road will be run
in pool with other roads in which they
may have an interest. But this talk is of no
account, as I know nothing at all about the
matter, and if did should not tell it for
publication. My business is railrosding, and
not talking to get my name in the papers,
especially when I don't know anything to
talk about.
Shortly after the reporter left Judge
Chandler, he met Gen. J. w. Bishop, gen.
eral manager of the st. Paul & Sioux
City road. Gen. Bishop had little
doubt the purchase had been made as
stated. He knew nothing of the plans of
the purchasers. but, judging from the assoc
Citations of the men in other railroad enter
prises, the purchase must result disadvanta-
geously to st. Paul, Minneapolis and the
State at large.
knot of business men, encountered just
after leaving Gen. Bishop, expressed similar
views, but appeared averse about going into
details. Indeed, the reporter found the
business men generally inclined to look upon
the transaction in favorable light, at least
| until the matter should be more fully de-
veloped. Another step toward that develop
! ment will probably be had at the meeting of
the st. Paul & Duluth company at Phila-
delp hia Thursday.