Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-10
STIR UP RAILWAY CIRCLES
Appearance Of Bx-Seorotary of War Lamont
in Western Railroad Circles.
TIe-UP OF TWO BIG RAILROADS DISCUSSED
Union Pacific omcial Talks OF
Friendly Relations Existing Be-
tween the Northera rncinc
and the Great Northern.

The startling events OF the past few days
In connection with & partnership between
the Northern Pacific and The Great Northern
railroad have been watched with great IN
terest by tho officials Of all tronscontinental
railroads, the Unicn Pacific not excepted
IT is now regarded rs an absolute fact that
Daniel S. Lamont is to be the new president
OF the Northern Pacific and that new policy
of railroading in the grea. northwest territory
will be naugurated thereafter.
II has been known for several months past
that strenuous efforts we're being cxerted to-
ward union OF the Great Northern aad the
Northern Pacific for the pooling OF oil bus-
ness received from territory now reSsrded
as competitive. Since the recent decision of
the supreme court practically prohibiting
combinations of railroad companies, railroad
men doubt II the play contemplated can be
made, uil'ess congress should repeal the anti
pooling clause OF the interstate commerce
act.
Speaking Of the matter a Union Pacific
official said: IL do not see how these two
roads can actually combine but do believe
that the resent turn affairs have taken means
that they viii in the future conduct bust
ness according to most friendly agreement.
There Will be no competition TO speak of
between the lines and they will have as close
relations as possible under the new rulings
not hurt the Union Pacific; 1t will be more
of benefit. Its effect us will not be
great however, since the most lucrative por-
tion of the traffic of these two lines is the
westbound wheat out of Minnesota and ad-
jacent territory. They can go ahead and
combine all they want to on that business
and 1t will not interfere with us"
While the effect on traffic OF transconti-
mental lines is the feature of the new deal
that Is mcst discussed, there has Just ap-
peared an Incident in connection with the
matter that is causing a great deal OF talk
1t Is fact that the Oregon Railway and
Navigation company is interested in the deal
For long time past, before this company
came out of it's recevership. Edwin Mcneil
then receiver and general manager and now
president had endeavCred to effect a close
union between his company and the Great
Northern. His close relations with President
James Hill Of the Great Northern are known
throughout railway Gil cles. From bona fde
letter received in this city today from a
prominent railroad official of Portland, 1t Is
learned that President Mcneil was unable
to swing the Oregon Railway and Naviga-
tlon company over to the Great Northern be
cause of opposition within his own company.
In the meantime the Northern Pacific has
tied up with the Great Northern and has
prevented a three-cornered deal that would
take In the Oregon Railway and Navigation
company. The letter goes on to state that
President Mcneil disappointed at his failure
to break into the combination, announced
that he was going away where one would
hear of him and seek solace for his wounded
feelings The letter is genuine and from al
official whose word cannot be doubted. His
statements appear to be borne out by the
story of the presidents indscretion sent out
from Rochester last Saturday night.