The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-08

NEW YORK. April The Mail and Ex-
press this evening says Official confsrvns-
ticn was given today 10 the report that
Col. Daniel :. Lamont, secretary of war
under President Cleveland. Is 10 be placed
al the head os the Northern Pacific sss-
TEN within sixty DAYS. The title Of Col.
Lamont viii oe president. and II - thought
his headquarters VIII ne in this city.
Col. Lamont IS at present travelling in
the South. and he Is not expected hack
in this city for several days.
Ills election to the important position
as executive of the Northern Pacific Is
the result OF the proposed traffic alliance
which is to he formed between the Great
Northern aud that company. Steps 10
that end have been In progress some
time
The control OF the Northern Pacific re-
cently passed into the hands OF a foreign
syndicate. through the Chase National
bank OF this city. OF which the Deutschs
hank OF Berlin Is one Of tho leading hold
ers. James J. Hin. OF the Great North
ern. is a member OF the syndicate and IL
IS proposed 20 bring the Great Northern
properties into the great traffic alliance
whereby the Northwestern and tranScon-
tiusntal rate situation viii he rendered
firm. The alliance is now being perfected
IN London by !. T. Morgan. James ]. Hin
and Dr. Sienons. or the Deustche hank.
the last named being the largest individu-
al holder OF the bonds Of the Northern
Pscifc railroad.
The Deusfche hank was ~rongly in
favor of a consolidation OF the two roads.
but this was prohibited by the laws Of the
several states through which the sys-
TENS pass.
The course that Is 20 be pursued Is TO
form a close traffic alliance. with uniform
rates and an economic operation. which
will I'm a measure answer the same pur-
pose as the consolidation. There VIII be
no more cutting Of rates. I'm fact. IL il not
uniikely that rates Will be n trifle higher
tfsn at present. II is probable that Joint
agencies VIII be established In many Of
the Eastern cities. but this plan has not
been worked out.
There have been signs that the plan
would include the Canadian Pacific. Ger
tain prominen, Euglishmen ere interested
In all three roads. This would permit the
interchange OF traffic that would be uni
fornly beneficial. The Canadian Pacific
has the advantage over the roads from
st. Paul. since II reaches the Atlantic
scaboard and taps several Eastern cities.
On the other hand. the Northern Pacific
and Great Northern reach several Coast
points In the Northwest from which the
Canadian Pacific is shut out
An Improvement Is 20 be looked for IN
the trans Pacific steamship service
Col. I-amont's selection for the presl-
dency or the Northern facific ~ the re-
suit Of President Htlls friendship for him.
IL IN known that some time ago Hiil en-
deavored 10 get Col. Lamont 10 take the
first vice presidency OF the Great North
ern. bat the latter declined Just before
Col. Lamont went South be is known To
have met Hii I'm this city, who WAS then
on his way TO Europe. and then the mat
ter was closed up.
Col Lamont has had no railroad expert
ence. but his peculiar fitness. ability and
acquaintance will IL IL said. enable him
10 brilliantly discharge his new duties.