The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-30

A most important railroad deal, and one
in which Colorado and Utah must neces-
sarily be very greatly interested, is re
ported to be not only on the tapis, but to be
almost contaminated.
There have been for the past two months
vague and floating rumors that the Rock
Island was endeavoring 10 secure control
of the Colorado Midland railway, thus Civ
ing it a feeder from most important part
of the state When the coterie of Rock
Island officials made a trip over the line OF
the Midland a few weeks ago, the rumor
was revived with increased vehemence.
The trip, ii was said, was one of inspec-
ton, preliminary to the transfer This was
not abso ute y true, for the party was in
Colorado principally on a pleasure trip, and
the trip was not of a character TO be called
an inspection, which usually requires slow
travelling and great deal of examination
as to track, bridges, curves, grades, fills,
cuts, station buildings, fences, bitches, etc,
all OF which go to make up the sum total OF
railroad valuation, or figure largely in it.
The trip OF the Rock Island officials was
not of this character
There is grave reason. however, says the
Denver Republican, for believing that the
visit of the officials at the time mentioned
meant great deal more than appeared on
the face of it. OF course any transfer or
agreement between the two roads would
occur in New York city; but it is learned
from an authoritative source that the trans
fer is almost accomplished, or at least that
the steps leading to the transfer are about
through with.
A step Of this kind is naturally accom-.
panied by great deal of secrecy. The
story goes that the deal between the two
roads is definitely settled, but that for
various reasons the contamination OF the
project will not be arrived at for some
months. 1t also Involves several other
matters. The Midland alone is net all the
Rock Island is after The Midland only
runs into the mountains There iss now
scheme on foot to build road from the
Midland's western terminus, Newcastle to
Grand Junction, the eastern end of the Rio
Grande Western. That the Midland-as
well as the Rio Grande-has aspirations
for the fair hand Of the Rio Grande Western
when it is broad gagged as is already
planned and settled, is well known.
The Rock Island rumOr goes that
the present plan is TO have the Midland alb
sorb the connecting loop and the RIO
Grande Western, and then be itself alb
sorbed by the great Rock Island route The
plan is perfectly credible. President Cable
told the writer some weeks ago that the
Rock Island would never build across the
Rockies When asked if it would buy a
way across, an evasion was attempted, and
finallg the answer was perhaps" The
news now comes from such credible source
that there can be but little doubt that there
is something more besides smoke that
there is some fire. The Rock Island with
broad gauge line from Chicago to Salt Lake
would be one of the graudest and greatest
roads in the world. Colorado has been ben
Gifted by its coming very materially, and
it has been 50 all over. The management
feels very kindly toward Denver, and this
city would welcome any plan by which the
"a Man route would sam western con
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