Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-22
AGED MILLIONAIRE WILL SETTLE
THE FRISCO QUESTION.
CONNECTION WILL BE BUILT.
THIS Is THE OUTLOOK, FROM con-
RAD MILLER's TALK.
He Has Been Over the Proposed Line
and His Report VIII Doubtless
Be Favorable to the Plan
MIR. BInir's Wonderful
Vitality.

Conrad Miller. who Is the personal rep
rcsentative Of John I. Blair in handling
his vast railroad enterprises all over the
country. was in the city yesterday with
General Manager JosseIyn. OF the Blair
line. He left last evening for trip down
the road, and will go on to ST. Louis and
back to his home in Pennsylvania. His
arrival here some days ago and his trip
south, having in view the entry of the
Frisco into Kansas City, was exclusively
told in The Journal at the time. When
Mr.. Miller gets home he will lay before Mr.
Blair and his associates the plan for con-
structing the line to connect the Blair line
with the Frisco at Bolivar. and the propo-
sition that accompanies the plan In case
the line is built. II it meets the approval
of the veteran financier, the work OF sur
yey and construction will begin at once.
If not. the whole plan fails for the present.
While Mr.. Miller does not say so. it is pret-
ty certain that he will recommend TO Mr..
Blair that the line be built and in that
case the line is assured. 1t is we'll known
that for many years the planning has been
done by Mr.. Miller. and the formal approx
al has been given by Mr.. Blair. 1t is well
known that Mr.. Miller is Of the opinion
that connection with the Frisco would
be largely TO the benefit of the Blair line.
and would transform it from local short
line TO an important division of a great
system of trunk lines. reaching over wide
expanse of valuable territory.
THE Blair line as it exists at present is
paying concern" was what Mr.. Miller
said yesterday to a reporter for The Jour
nal. Il was surprised to-day when l had
paid all of the bills TO learn how much
money we had left in the bank We are
doing well with the line, but we are always
looking for a chance to do better. II we
could make a traffic connection with the
Frisco or any other line that would help
us in a business way, it would be wise for
US to do il.
We have no contracts closed and nothing
settled with any lire about any connec-
tions or traffic agreements. To do that
requires the sanction Of Mr.. Blair. For
the purpose Of being clearly advised in the
matter we drove over the proposed route
or the Bolivar connection. We found
many obstacles but none over which
human ingenuity cannot prevail. and We
will be in shape to talk of the matter
clearly when Mr.. Blair is seen. II he is
OF the opinion the extension would be a
good thing. then We will build It. When
We build roads we issue no bonds or mort
cages. We pay for the material and Ia bor
and own the line when it is completed.
Ihat Is the way We would do in this case
If we do anything
'Is Mr.. Blair strong enough physically
TO talk business and discuss the Construc-
tiolt of new lines and traffic connections
Mr.. Blair is to-day stronger and his
mind clearer than at any time for three
years. He sits each afternoon out on his
perch and enjoys the tlne outdoor air and
is able 10 converse with us about the bust
ness matters of his lines / get almost
daily telegrams from him making In
quiTles about business matters and advis-
ing about transactions"
Talking about the Blair line" continued
Mr.. Miller. Il am of the opinion that II IS
and will continue to be very valuable
factor in the business of Kansas City. We
bring all OF our shipments TO the markets
here and the business men along our line
purchase practically all of their supplies
from the merchants OF the city. All the
business we do is to the advantage of Kan
sas City and we feel complimented with the
support we get from the men In business
here. We are handicapped in some ways.
but we give as good service TO our custom
ers as can be secured on any line. and in
any deal we may make to increase our
business and improve our connections We
are working directly for the interests OF
the city. The line we are to operate In a
short time out in Westport will form
very valuable short way connection across
the southern part of the city and will be
convenience TO many people who live and
Yesterday afternoon Mr. Miller was in
consultation for time with the trafhc Of
ficials of the Memphis line over the pro-
posed traffic agreements for getting into
the West bottoms.