Helena weekly herald., 1889-03-28
RAILROAD MOVE.
Northern Pacific Secures Control OF
the Wisconsin Central.

PHILADELPHIA, March 24.-The repor.
ter of the Enquirer to-day learned from a
well-known railroad man that the North
ern Pacific Railroad company has at last
secured control of the Wisconsin Central
railroad, and through it an entrance to
Chicago. The Enquirer will give the fol-
lowing details of the lease:
&c. C. Wheeler, formerly general man.
ager of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
road, has spent three weeks in the ex-
animation of the property, connections and
accounts of the Wisconsin Central railway.
He went over every mile Of the main line
and its allied branches and inquired into
its resources and traffic connections. The
result of his investigation has been COM
piled into an exhaustive report which will
be submitted to the board on Wednesday.
In it he recites why the acquisition of the
Wisconsin Central road will be an advan-
tage to the Northern Pacific company. The
Chicago. Burlington & Quincy, the North
western and st. Paul and other lines enter
ing Chicago are reaching out westward for
traffic and will in his opinion, ultimately
reach the Pacific coast and become trans
continental lines. The Canadian Pacific
has Chicago outlet, and SO have all the
Pacific Coast lines.
If the Northern Pacific is to maintain
its position it must have equal facilities,
and Wheeler sees no other line but the
Wisconsin Central that can afford the
Northern Pacific needed outlet. The road
he says isin fine condition. 1t possesses good
terminals, has growing local trade and is
self supporting, with the influence of the
Interstate Commerce law to steady rates. He
believes the road will be profitable one to
lease for comparatively short time, either
for thirty-three or ninety nine years. The
period has not been determined yet. 1t is
an operating case, that is, the
Northern Pacific operates the road and
pays a rental of 35 per cent. of the gross
receipts. OF course all Northern Pacific
Chicago business will be thrown on the
Wisconsin Central's line instead of being
devided up between all roads running be-
tween Chicago and ST. Paul. The case will
add to the Northern Pacific system 767
miles of road, including 4O5 miles of
the Wisconsin Central, 1S9 miles of leased
lines and 236 of affiliated road with it. It
also comes in possession of extens We termi-
nal facilities at Chicago, formerly owned
by the Chicago & Great Western railroad,
which are constantly increasing in value
as we'll as very valuable terminals at Mil
waukee.
NEW YORK, March 25.-Reports of the
lease or consolidation of the Wisconsin by
tho Northern Pacific are denied by the
officials of both companies. 1t is officially
stated, however, that q traffic agreement
between the two companies will be con.
summsted at special meeting of the
Northern Pacific directory Wednesday.
The Wisconsin Central company is abso-
lutsly controlled by C. L. Colby, Colgate
Hoyt and Edwin 81. Abbott. The stock
certificates do not carry voting power,
and the three gentlemen named have been
directors of the Northern Pacific road since
1887, when they went in with Henry
Willard. Since that time the Wisconsin
Central has worked as close connection
with the Northern Pacific and it was
generally understood that traffic agreement
would ultimately be made