Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-16
Vanderbilt and The nlIaOis
Central.
Cincinnati Commercial. a.


The whisper Of the wires yesterday
to the effect that Mr.. Vanderbilt was
buying Illinois Central stock caused
little comment from prominent rails
road gentlemen in this city. Mr.. j
M DOUGLAS, Receiver Of the Ohio &
Mississippi, who at one time was
President OF the Central, and perhaps
more familiar with the history of the
road than any other railroad mau in
the country, was found at his Office. on
Fourth street, by a Commercial Ga
Eette reporter, who proceeded TO con
verse with Mr.. Douglas upon the
subject. Mr.. Douglas said he knew
nothing Of the matter other than VIII It
he had read in the Commercial Ga.
zette but" continued Mr.. Douglas.
such a thing might be true. The
capital stock Of the road is $29, 900 600,
a great portion OF which is OWED in
Amsterdam Sometimes the H ,llaud
stockholders have a majority Of he
stock, and again a majority is here ia
tAis country, Mr.. Vanderbilt, Of
course, pays heavy rental for the
privileges of the use Of the Cantral's
tracks, over which the Michigan Cen
trail gains an entrance to the city Of
! Chic 90.
Now that Mr.. Vanderbilt has pur.
| chased the Nickel Plate road, which
has also contracted for the use of the
Central's tracks into Chicago, he, OF
course, might want the control of the
road to lesson his rental from his two
roads now using the tracks. To get
control Of the road. | do not think he
would have to purchase very heavily,
providing, Of course, the report is
true that he will have the aid of the
Amsterdam stockholders"
DO you think the European stock
holders would be willing to intrust
their property to Mr.. Vanderbilt's
control?'
why not? Would it not seem
natural that in selecting a man to on
troll their property they weuld agree
upon a man who is we'll known and
has achieved some renutation as a
railroad MANAGER? Mr.. Vanderbilt is
to-day one OF the greatest railroad
managers and owners in the world.
Mr.. Osborne, who has for years been
at the head Of the financial manage
mont of the road, recently retired, and
IT may be the European stockholders
wish to select some other distinguished
railroad manager 10 take control of it.
Then, again, Mr.. Vanderbilt may wish
to get the road for no other purpose
than to make it a feeder to his great
West and East systems. | do not
mean to convey the idea that | think
Mr.. Vanderbilt has purchased the
road, but | can see no reason why he
should not buy it, particularly SO
when it is thought he can have the aid
Of the Holland stockholders
IF to become a ruling'spirit in the
corporation he would be compelled 10
buy a majority Of the stock, which
would be in the neigbbOrhood Of SIG,
100000. | would then think it a false
rumor. The stockholders in Europe
may again think that Mr.. Vanderbilt
can better care for the stock on the
market in Wall street, and for that
reason may wish to have himjoin them
in the ownership of the road,
THE Nickel Plate road, | under.
stand, has agreed to pay enormous
Ients for the privileges Of the Uentrals
rack, together with a few acres Of
ground in Chicago north Of the tracks
toward the shore OF the lake, aud tor
Mr. Vanderbilt to get control of the
central 1t might reduce the rental he
now pays for certain privileges. II he
has or will get control Of the road il
gives him a line into New Orleans. al
the Chicago.St Louis and Newt rleanl
road was but a short time leased B,
the Central, which practically make
it all one road from Chicago to New
Orleans"
, iii a good road, is it?'
1T is one Of tho best paying road
, in the country. The stock is worth
| think, now about l3U, as the roa,
has always made money 1t would b
q great road for Vanderbilt to &c
control or"
Mr.. Douglass is a far seeing and wis
I old gentleman, and has not the habi
4 OF telling near all he thinks ,especall