Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-08-06
LINE TO CHICAGO.
Rumors that the A T. & S. F. Will Buy
the Wabash.
From the Topeka Capital.

From the Topeka Capital.
1t is asserted that through agents the
A. T. e. S f. has secured a majority OF
the bonds of the Chicago division of the
| Wabash. This, it is still further alleged,
explains the proceedings lately taken in
| the United States court before Judge
Greshaln--an application Tor the sale OF
the road in foreclosure and separation OF
that particular division from the rest OF the
system The property covers about 243
miles from Chicago to Belmont and Is
bonded at s.. 500 600. 1t is an eXcellently
built road and one of the best paving di-
visions of the Wabash All negotiations
with the Chicago and Alton are off, it be
! inc stated that the demands of the latter
were too high, while others, close to the
Alton, are positive the negotiations were
never seriously begun, rs the desired
amount of stock was out of reach. In con-
nection with the Wabash project it is posi-
lively stated that A. NJ. Billings, Il Chicago
| capitalist who has been furnishing the
! funds for the construction of line between
st. Louis and Kansas City has been acting
| for the Atchson. Topeka and Santa Fe,
F., and that when the St Louis, Kansas City
and Colorado is completed it will be quiet
| " handed over TO the control of the Atchi
son. By working the two schemes together
the A. r. 4 S. f. secures entrance to both
St. Louis and Chicago, and gains its desir-
ed outlets for its western systems. The
Atchison has never fer a moment given up
| its plan of coming to Chicago. Its officials
considered that measure of protection and
necessity as soon as the Chicago and Rock
| Island determined upon an invasion OF
Kansas, as it saw that it would be at dis
advantage with the latter penetrating and
draining territory heretofore tributary to 1t
alone. and at the same time possessing
trunk line from the Missouri river to Lake
Michigan All of the circumstances at the
time pointed to the Chicago and Alton as
its natural ally, but mere traffic agreements
with an independent line would have been
unsatisfactory, and control was not possible,
hence the new moves. Still it is on the
! boards that the Atchison may perfect an al
lance with the ST Paul company looking
to the use of the latter's extension
Ito Kansas City for its direct Chi
cago line, while the ST. Louis. Kansas City
and Colorado and the Wabash would give it
the desired way facilities. There is no
doubt that the matter has been talked over
between the St. Paul and Atchison people
in a general way. although negotiations
have not progressed to any definite point
The Wabash portion Of the story is to be
taken with great many grains of allow
ance, although there are parties here who
insist upon its correctness. Whether there
may be any basis for it or not, one thing is
very certain; the Atchison intends TO have
line into Chicago by the close of 1897, or
facilities that will be equal to the owner
ship of one.
When Vice President Smith, of the Atch
ison, Topeka and Santa Fee, was in ST.
Louis Thursday, he held a lengthy confer
ence with the Frisco officials, and it is I'M
dersiood both lines favored closer trciiic ar
rangements than now exists. and it is be
lieved that the Frisco will be the ST. Louis
end of the A. T. & S. F. Vice Presiden;
Smith was very anxious to secure confer
cnce with Missouri Pacific officials but as
Vice President Hoxie is in the east be fail
ed to do So What the object of such
conference was is difficult to surmise, but
the close Of the present year will doubtless
find the A., T. & s. F. with much more
desirable ST. Louis arrangements than are
now possessed. and il is possible tbs, Colo
RADIO may be included in the arrangement
although the theory is now said to be with.
| out foundation by sill parties concerned