Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-31
NO. 1856.

inent corporations of the West. But in
February last the majority owners of the
West Wisconsin for Chicago, St. Paul 6;
Minneapolis) and North Wisconsin rail
roads purchased and contracted for a con
trolling interest in the st. Paul s. Sioux
City properties and early in the spring
the whole were united in one operative
organization, since known as
the Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha line. Since that time the pur-
chase of stock in the united properties
has progressed until at this time the or
ganizers of the St. Paul & Omaha line
probably own majority of the stock of
each of the companies united The plan
of union so far has been TO elect the same
persons as officers of each company and
to operate all the lines under one directory
and management. The advantages of
this plan are obvious, from the point of
view of an owner of railroad stock or
bonds. The one management is an eco
nomical measure and the union of the
lines, in perfecting connections and har-
monizing interests, ensures much larger
aggregate of traffic. This union has been
frequently termed a consolidation; but,
in fact, the original companies still cx-
ist. though changed in personnel, and
still hold. as distinct companies, the IT,
ties to their franchises and
property 1t may, however, be said that
they are in process of consolidation and
that in time, when all obstacles to union
in one company have been removed, the
owners will save the formality of keep
ing up so many organizations, by consoli-
dation of the companies. Meantime the
union of properties under ono manage
ment presents to the public practically
one organization to deal with.
1t is rumored and, from the intimate
connection of the principal owners of the
ST Paul & Omaha lines with that CON-
pany, III many quarters is believed that
these lines will soon or ultimately be for
mally united with the Chicago & North
western company's system and be operat-
cd by that company. If this should hap
pen, it would result chiefly from the same
considerations which induced the
uniting of the St. Paul & Sioux City and
West Wisconsin, and, although the Chi
cago Is Northwestern is properly classed
as Chicago company. it is not at all
likely that its operation of these lines
would be adverse to the interests of St.
Paul. Though its. present interests in
the direction of Chicago would influence
It's policy to some extent for the turning
of traffic TO its Chicago lines. yet control
of the properties included in the St. Paul
& Omaha line would give it such strong
interests in this direction and towards
the Lake Superior routes of Eastern traffic
as to make its policy harmonic with the
interests of st. Paul. 1t may even be
predicted that when through compile
ton of the pending consolidation or
through union with the Chicago & North
western, the St. Paul & Omaha sys-
tenn is placed in possession of
strong company, that company will
be foremost IN promoting the building of
railway from st. Paul into the north
ern peninsula of Michigan, (already part
ly occupied by the Chicago & North
WESTERN and to independent connec-
tions there with the eastern trunk lines.
THE UNITED PROPERTIES.
1t would be difficult at this time to OBJ
tain information as to the financial con-
dition and earnings of the companies
and properties united in the St Paul and
Omaha line. An enumeration of the
roads will serve, however, TO indicate the
extent of the united property The mile
age of the several roads and branches is
as follows: