The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-28
CHANCE TO GET In
Much Speculation as TO the Meaning
Of Recent Visits Of Railway
Magnates to Butte.
Statement That the Montana Central
Has an Offer of a Montana
Union Interest.
How the Latter Road Controls a Certain
Class of Bnsinsss-Must Build to
Anaconda soon.

BUTTE. June 27-lSpecial to the Inde-
pendent THE recent visit Of the Montana
Central railroad magnates 70 Butte and
Anaconda and their conference with Mr..
DAILY has set speculation anuat In regard 10
the plans OF that company in relation 20 an
Anaconda branch. A railroad man
who ought at least 10 be given
credit for being on the in
SIDE, told your correspondent to-day that
an offer had been made TO the Montana
Central TO join with the Union Paci6c and
assume the same position in the Montana
Union contract heretofore occupied by the
Northern Pacific. AS is well known, there
is grave disagreement between the
Union Pacific and Northern Pacific In re-
gard 70 this read, and after President
Oakes had signed a statement 70 the effect
that the Northern Pacific would pay
It's proportion Of the cost OF the Montana
Union improvements, the board OF direct
Ors refused 70 ratify his agreement The
attitude OF the two great roads in this mat
ter Is undoubtedly hostile, and your corre-
spondents informant stated that an open
breach might occur at any time. Under
these circumstances. be said, an offer had
been made by the Union Pacific 70 the
Montana Central with a view OF operating
the Montana Union jointly with the new
road, and this proposition is now under
consideration. The only point on which
there is any hesitation is in regard 70 that
part Of the line from Stuart TO Garrison.
with which the Central does not care 70
have anything to do. Railroad men
think that such move would
be master stroke OF the part OF the Mon
tana Central. Ii is generally admitted that
the Montana Union holds the key 70 the
railroad situation here in Butte. IL has
got the hill business. the great ore houses
have been built up there, and built with
reference 10 the Montana Union. II would
cost another company double what it has
cost the Montana Union to get into posi-
ton TO transact business on the hill, and
with such drawback competition would
be practically out OF the question. The
Montana Union can handle the business OF
the other lines on the hill cheaper than
they can handle It themselves, and will
doubtless continue 10 exist as a ter
minal company, no matter what becomes
Of existing agreements. Those in charge
OF the road fully realize their advantages.
Your correspondent called on Supt. h.
Law, of this Montana Union, and ques-
toned him about the Montana Central
Dir. Law was of the opinion
that no tender Of an interest In the Mon
tana L niOn had been made TO the Central
Vice-President HOIoOmb. Of the Union
Pnciic, went over the northern end OF the
Utah & Northern yesterday, returning
to Pocatello last night. He was at south
Butte for few minutes early yesterday
morning, but did not come up town.
Nothing is known of his views concerning
the future OF the Montana Union Unless
some arrangement as that indicated above
is made it is reasonably certain that the
Montana Central will build TO Anaconda
At Once