St. Paul daily globe., 1891-04-18
TO HEAD OFF GOULD.
The Vanderbilt Party Come
West to Cope With Jay
at Denver.
The Breaking Of the Contract
Between the Union Pacific
and Northwestern
May Result in the Extension
Of the Latter Road to
Ogden.
A Threatened Strike on the
Notwithstanding Alton
Boycott Weakening.

CHICAGO, April IA story is tol
here to-day which throws new light
on the trip OF Cornelius Vanderbilt and
party to the far West. 1t has been
reported that the party was to meet Jay
Gould in Denver for a conference. The
object is to arrange for a harmonious
combination of interests in working out
the Western railroad problem. This is
denied by parties who are in position
to obtain facts. 1t is said that the
movement Of the Vanderbits is for the
purpose of heading off Gould and plac
ing themselves i'll position to defy the
efforts of that crafty Individual to secure
absolute control of the situation. If
Gould had attended the meeting Of the
advisory board of the Western Traffic
association this week it was the
intention of President Marvin
Hughitt, of the Chicago & North
western, TO have an understanding with
him on the question of the divisions of
the through rate between that road and
the Union Pacific. The contract be-
tween the Union Pacific and the North
western has been ignored by the former
road since Gould obtained cOutrol. the
through business being diverted to the
Union Pacific. In fact, it has been
detrimental to the Northwestern in
causing that road to accept less pro-
portion of the rate on business eX-
changed with the Union Pacific at
Omaha than it had previously enjoyed.
The Northwestern people have been
growing more and more indignant at the
course OF the Union Pacific. and after a
correspondence with the powers in New
ork, President IIughitt was prepared
to have it out with Jay Gould at the
meeting last Tuesday. When the con-
Vlctl0n was forced upon the presidents
that Gould had nOintention of attending
the meeting, Mr.. Hughitt telegraphed
the fact to New York. The result was
that Vanderbilt Depew. and Twomblev
Immediately started westward in spe-
clal train. stopping only long enough for
dinner i'll Chicago and continuing their
Journey to Denver by way of Omaha 1t
is said that their object was to reach
Denver i'll advance OF Gould. who is
steering for that point, and so have
the advantage of being first in the
field i'll making preliminary arrange
mentS for carrying out their plans.
These plans, it is alleged. involve the
ultimate extension of the Chicago I&
Northwestern system to Ogden. The
Fremont, Elkhorn d Missouri Valley
division olready reaches as far west as
Fort Casper, and the laying of 200 or
300 miles of track will connect it with
the Central Pacific at Ogden. When
this is done the Northwestern will par
allel the Union Pacific the entire length
OF It's line and will possess an immense
advantage over that road in having a
Chicago terminus. 1t IS said that this
step has been contemplated for a long
time by the Vanderbilt interests,
but the scheme was abandoned
when the traffic contract between the
Union Pacific and the Northwestern
was perfected. Now that the contract
is dead letter. and there is no longer
any question of GOuld's duplicity, the
Northwestern company will delay no
longer in establishing itself on an inde-
pendent footing. Should its plan be
carried out, it can hardly fail to work
great injury to the Union Pacific, but
Gould's reputation aS railroad wrecker
is so well known that nobody would be
more surprised at such an outcome.
Furthermore, the deal would limit the
effect of the proposed Gould-Hnnting-
ton combine in the outhweSt.a and would
save TO Chicago and the Northwest much
of the business that might otherwise lie
diverted to the Southern routes.