Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-18
UNION PACIFIC PRESIDENT.
Rumors that Lamont VIII Succeed Mellen
on the Northern Paeihc-Lamont
Denies II All.

Chicago, Dec. 1S.-The Tribune says:
The opinion is gaining ground in rail-
way and financial circles that neither
L. w. Winter nor Horace G. Burt will
be the president Of the Union Pacific.
The man now mentioned for the posi-
tlon is Charles Mellen. president of the
Northern Pacific.
e. w. Winter was slated, 1t was stat
ed, for the presidency OF the Union Pa
cific, after Mr.. Clark resigned on ac-
count of i'll health. Mr.. Winter has all
the qualifications for the position and
for many years had been the trusted
lieutenant of President Hughitt of the
Northwestern, who 1t is understood
will be chairman of the directors of
the Union Pacific. Mr.. Winter, 1t is
said. did not feel inclined to take the
position for personal reasons.
Mr.. Burt's name was then suggested,
but objection. 1t is said, was raised to
him on account OF his being now vice
president and assistant to the presi-
dent of the Northwestern. With Pres
dent Hughitt as chairman of the dt-
rectory and Mr. Burt as president of
the Union Pacific, II is argued, it
would be looked upon as an auxiliary
of the Northwestern and this was not
desired, as the Union Pacific gets some
Of it's business from competitors of
the Northwestern. For these reasons,
1t is said, President C. S. Mellen of the
Northern Pacific, was named as the
most available man for the presidency
of the re-organized Union Pacific
Uuder ordinary circumstances. the
report that Mr. Mellen would leave the
Northern Pacific to take the presidency
of the Union Pacific, would be looked
upon with great suspicion. But cir
cumstances are such that the report is
generally believed 10 have good foun-
dation.
But there is friction. 1t is said. be-
tween his friends and the friends of
Vice President Lamont. Mr.. Lamont
was originally slated for the presi-
dency. He was the choice of j. J.
Hill and his friends who have u large
Interest in the Northern Pacific. But
j.. Pierpont Morgan, the head OF the
Northern Pacific syndicate, did not
think Mr.. Lamont had the requisite
experience, \ compromise was effect
cd and c. S. Melen was chosen presi-
dent and Mr.. Lamont vice president.
Rumors have lately been current that
Mr.. Lamont would soon succeed Mr.
| Melen as president OF the Northern
Pacific and thus strength is given to
those reports that Mr.. Mellen had been
| practically agreed upon as the most
suitable man for the presidency Of the
| Union Pacific. Mr. Mellen Is probably
| better qualified for the presidency Of
The Union Pacific and knows more
| about It's affairs than any other man
| except $. H. II. Clark. From June /,
1854 until June l. 1855 hc was general
purchasing agent Of the rond. He
then became its assistant general man
ager and from March /. 1850 to April
| 1892 he was general traffic manager.
LAMONT DENIES IT.
New York, Dee, 1S.-Dnniel S. La
mont. who was In this city today.
| denied that there was any likelihood
that he would soon succeed Mr.. Mel
| len as president Of the Northern Pacific
| railroad or that Mr.. Mcllen would be-
| come president OF the Union Pacific.
He said: "Mr. Mellen is in the North
| crn Pacific to stay to the satisfaction
| OF all concerned" Mr.. Lamont denied
that there had been any friction be
| tween himself or any of his friends
| and Mr.. Mellen,