Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-27

stringency when a halt was called upon
other ventures, when banks refused to loan
money upon anything but gilt-edged secur-
ity and when many meritorious enterprises
collapsed altogether for lack Of funds with
which to prosecute their work. this trust
company raised sufficient money to construct
and equip a new railroad Some flnancers
have declared 1t to be the wonder OF the
late hard times. The trust company has a
capital of 81 ,250 600 Its surplus and undi-
yided profits amount to Sl,OOO,OO0, most OF
which was raised during the recent season OF
Of depression There is an advantage, how
ever. in building a railroad in hard times,
10 can be built at n minimum expense. Con-
tractors were anxious for work during the
past year and labor was abundant. steel
rails and other supplies were at a low figure,
II Is estimated that the portion OF the rail-
road built during the hard times was con-
structed for one-third less than 1t could have
been at any other time.
IL Is not altogether American capital that
has built the pittsburg d Gulf road. Hol-
land capital is back OF the enterprise to a
very considerable extent. c. NJ. Tlsingh,
the second vice president OF the railroad
company, Is wealthy capitalist OF Amster-
dam. He owns considerable stock in the
company, as does also j. De Goejen, jr. The
latter married the richest heress In Hol-
land, and in honor OF her, Mena, one of the
division points of the road, has been named.
Philadelphia capital is also Interested, four
OF the eleven directors hailing from the
Quaker City.
Railroad men say the Pittsburg & Gulf
road will never fail because of lack OF
good management With MeSsrs Martin
and Stilwell at the head a high standard Is
set, but it is kept up among the lesser
officers. John A. Sargent general freight
agent, is regarded as one OF the most eN-
perienced and probably the ablest freight
man in the southwest His long service
with the freight department of the Mem
phis route has given him an understanding
of freight conditions in the south that would
be hard to excel. He will not be hampelSd
by any association agreement in making
freight rates, and it is openly predicted
among railroaders that southern freight
rates will take tumble when the new line
is open for through business. Mr.. Sargent
married Miss McShane of Omaha
and is well known and well liked
here. Harry c. Orr is the
general passenger agent He was formerly
in charge of the Burlingtons interests in
Kansas City, and is well qualified to look
after the passenger business. He declares
he will see that the finest train service OBJ
tainable is in vogue from Omaha through
to Port Arthur. He intends that passengers
may leave Omaha one afternoon and arrive
at Port Arthur the following night. Twenty
four hours from Kansas City to the gulf
(1S6 miles, and thrty-two hours from Omaha
Il 900 miles, will probably be the schedule
OF the fast trains The equipment now in
use is brand new and shows what may be
expected when the fast trains are put on.
The chair cars are attractively finished in
light wood. a contract has been made with
the Pullman company and its sleepers and
dining cars will be used on all through
trains.
The headquarters of the railroad company
the trust company and twenty.four allied
companies are all located under one roof In
Kansas City. The offices are commodiolis
but not elaborate. AS many private matters
are the subject of conversation among the
various officers. a telephone system separate
from the city circuit connects all the Offices.
The headquarters contain an unusual de-
partment-a handsomely furnished dining
room, where the general officers .ogetner ea;
their MONDAY luncheons