The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-12-19
STILL ANOTHER.
Hill Now Said to Be Behind the o. r. and
N. Reorganization.

N. Reorganization
Another solution of the o. r. and N
Co.'S future existence is offered in the
following from yesterdays Oregonian,
but local reailroad men, who know OF
what they speak, are of the opinion that
a great surprise is in store for the nd
vocates of the Union Pacific, Huntington,
c. B. and O., or Jim Hill schemes:
Now comes a report that President j
j. Hill, of the Great Northern "a lway
will lend his influence to maintain the
independence of the o. r. and N. Co
Mr. Hill probably has a selfish motive in
seeking to insure the independence of
the property, bnt this does not affect
the real status of the case The CONNER
cial interests Of the city are desirous OF
such independence, and do not care how
it is accomplished or maintained, just so
It Is done in one way or another
When Mr. Hill was in this city last sum-
mer he stated in an interview in the Ore
gonian that the o. r. and N. Co.. for Its
own good, should remain Independent of
all other railroads. A report had gai7ed
circulation, previous to his visit here,
that he was seeking to absorb the prop
erty and merge 1t into the Great Nor
thern system, but his direct statement
bearing on the subject at once set at rest
all such rumors to this effect and afford
ed considerable relief to the business IN
terests of this city.
LAS far as the good of the city of
Portland is concerned" said Mr.. Hill,
with a great deal of earnestness, at will
be very much better for the G. r. and N.
Co. tC remain independent of all trans
continental railroads, and out of the
possession of ALL 1t is a splendid piece
of property, and is admirably situated for
all time to come. 1 have never had the
slightest idea of even trying to secure
control of the o. r. and N. Co."
Mr.. Hill has traffic relations with the
o. r. and N, which allow his lines to
-ompete with the Northern Pacific for
Portland business, and he is wise enough
to see that absorption of the property
would mean his enforced retirement from
The field. Naturally, he would vigorously
resist any attempt of the Southern Pacihc
or any other transcontinental road to ac-
qure the property. In consequence II
'ooks very much like the Southern Pacific
If 1t wants the o. r. and N, might as
well retire from the field, as far as alb
sorption of the road is concerned. Bu'
Mr.. Huntington may have trump care
to play in the game yet, and, If so, may
ington are not very coed frlerds, and bot
ne diplomats in the manipulation of rail
road stocks.
1t has been known all along that Mr.
HIN is a very warm admirer of Mr.. Nc
Nein, and a short time before the latter
was appointed receiver of the o. r. an(
v Co he is said to have offered hin
the general management of the Grea
Northern system of railroads. This was
certainly great compliment to Mr.. Nc
Neirs ability as a railroad man, and thu
alters declination of the position, it Il
said, was the result of certain plans HI
had in regard to the o. r. and N. Co
Now it Is said that Mr.. Hin is taking al
active interest in the reorganization O.
the o. r. and ~ Co., and will pull som'
very strong strings to make Mr.. Mcneil
president of the company.