New-York tribune., 1879-05-12


In a conversation reported below concern
ing his journey TO the West, Mr.. Vanderbilt
says positively that he did not aim to acquire
any more railroad property. He declares that
he does not wish to enlarge his control of rall-
ways. He brought back favorable impressions
of Western crops and cities, and noticed with
admiration the rapid Improvement of the lat
ter. The negro exodus and the dispute of
the Central Railroad with the Rochester
thorities are also among the topics touched on
in this conversation
A TALK WITH THE RAILWAY PRESIDENT.
William II, Vanderbilt returned from his Western
trip on Friday evening, having visited Chicago,
Cincinnati, Indianapolis, st. Louis, Kansas City.
Sedala, st. Joseph, Omaha and intermediate cities
and towns He did not as reported visit the stock
raising or mineral portions of Colorado, nor did he
take any steps toward purchasing cattle ranches.
When asked on Saturday tie object of his journey
he said:
"Ihad particular object in going West except to
see the country and secure much needed recreation.
l was not after any additional railroad property, as
reported. Railroads seek me. There is scarcely
day that ap not importuned to take control Of
Western and other railroads, which refuse There
seems to be a popular impression that | am ambi-
tous to enldrge my control OF railroads. This is a
mistake, and have more trouble in shaking them
Off than in securing them"
In reply to an inquiry concerning his impressions
of the West. Mr.. Vanderbilt said:
at is a beautiful, a magnificent country. When
listened to the descriptions given by merchants
and others from the West thought they exagger-
ated but found that the half had not been told.
In Missouri and Kansas he wheat is several inches
high aud looks we'll aud tho farmers have put all
their corn III, while at BGfalo met Ice and ~ the
northern part of the State there snow. When
we loob al the large farms of wheat and corn, ex-
tending for scores Of miles the first impression
il that there will not be railroads enough
Ia carry the crops but the fact Is that there are
three roads where only of them pays. The
great fear is that the West will OverdO it. They
have built too many roads ont there and many Of
these are bankrupt There are lot of people out
West now buylng up bankrupt roads because they
can be bought cheap. The combination, as 1t IS
called here, now has number Of bankrupt roads
its hands. Tie sTaDgest thing Is that the peo-
pie SO easily gulled by the representations on
Wall Street to invest in the almost worthless Sc
curities Of these roads at from Is to 20 per cent
advance"
IMPRESSIONS OF WESTERN CITIES.
"I went as far West as Omaha" continued Mr..
Vanderbilt 'and down 20 st. Joseph and Kansas
City. On previous visits dld not go much beyond
Chicago; but wanted to see the country, and am
satisfied with the trip St. Louis is a great city. 1t
is a rival of Chicago, and the Improvements since
my last visit there, in 1870 are wonderful. There
is a new union depot, which is a great advantage.
There is an air of sOhdIty about the busi-
ness men of st. Louis, and they are ac-
tive and wide awake. The Missouri Pacific
Road, now managed by the GarTisons, is valuable
piece of property. The road Is in excellent order,
and it runs through q splendid country. Having
been a farmer for twenty years, saw at once what
night at Sedalia, which is nice city,
with excellent railroad faculties. Kansas
City is great place full OF business
activity. st. Joseph is also a fine place with active
business and handsome residences, but II lacks the
railroad facilities of Kansas City. The great agrl-
cultural belt of Missouri and Kansas, l was told,
runs from two to three hundred miles west of the
Missouri River until it strikes the sand plains. 1t
is really wonderful country, and shows how the
Almighty has provided an abundance for u.s."
THE MICRO EXODUS.
In regard TO the negro immigration into Kansas
and Missouri, Mr.. Vanderbilt said:
81 did not visit the sections where the Southern
negroes have gone, but l heard a good deal said
about them. This is not the kind of immigration
that ,he West needs. Those men who go West to
sGnat md refrain from work, or work two or three
davs aid sun themselves the rest OF the week, are
not wanted. The West requires immigrants who
will ready to work, and who VIII be thLltty aud
saving of their money. Such men succeed there and
are respected"
NOT DESTROYS OF MORE LINES.
When a question was asked with regard to his re-
ported control ofthe Chicago andNorthwestern Road
and the probability of any change in the manage
raent Mr. Vanderbilt said:
"Tlis road is now in good hands, and there should
be no change. An effort was made last year to turn
out the present management, but 1t did not succeed,
and hope it will not be successful this year have
great respect for the ability Of the president and
vice-presdent of this company. They have brought
tho property up and made it very valuable, and they
should not be displaced. The Chicago and North
western runs through lne country andt uoeS
large business"
In regard 10 the report that he was endeavoring
to lease the Chicago and Alton Road, MI Wander
This is all nonsense / don't want any more
roads. The Chicago aud Alton has been Completed
10 Kansas City, and it l5 hne property. III
is in good hands, and think its stockholders are
satisfied"
THE CONFLICT AT ROCHESTER,.
In response to an inquiry about his Rochester con-
ference Mfr. Vanderbilt smiled and said
"Yes, stopped over at Rochester and had pow
WOW over the complaints about our road running
through that city. have to-day made proposition
to the authorities there and If they are at all rea-
sopaLe there need be no trouble OF course, If mon
want to be ugly they can put us to great dea! of
ANNOYANCE, but it must be remembered that if we
have to leave Rochester that city will be the
sufferer. as the business will follow the
limo of the road. 1t is astonishing, after rail
roads have built mp aud made town that every I'M
pediment should be thrown in the way of the cor
.poratious II there ia anything like spirit of fair
ness there will be no trouble. 1t Is only few years
since the people along our road thought IL was not
safe TO run the cars the surface from the Grand
Central Depot. We were met by the legislative
committees and the authorities in fair spirit and
Voc agreed TO make the necessary improvements and
10 bear one-half the expense All we ask is reason
able treatment from Rochester. and there will be no
trouble as we do not want 10 do anything That Is
ininrlons To the public interests or dangerous to
life or limb"