Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-02
WINTER AND BURT EASILY IN THE LEAD

There was something OF furry at Union
Pacific headquarters yesterday morning. occa-
stoned by the many rumors to the effect that
s. II. II. Clark, the present president of that
railway system, would not be the head OF the
Teorganzed company. These rumors were
accentuated by the report to this effect In
yesterdays issue OF the Bee They reached
their climax this afternoon when it was def
initely announced from st. Louis that Mr..
Clark himself had confirmed the rumors.
In the statement given out to the Associ-
ated press in st. Louis yesterday morning
Mr.. Clark said that he had been offered the
presidency Of the company by the reorgani-
zaton committee, but owing to ill-health he
had refused the position. Further than this
statement he refused to give out anything
for publication.
The one topic discussed by railway men
since ths announcement is the question of
the identity OF Mr.. Clark's successor. Can
didates for the position are numerous
enough but 1t is known that the reorgani-
zatioO committee will insist on getting the
abest railroader possible in order to assume
the tremendous task Of earning interest on
an investment OF approximately 100000.
The best posted railroaders hereabouts are
divided between Edwin w. Winter, expires
ident of the Northern Pacific, and Horace
G. Burt, third vice president of the North
western, with all the indications in sight
pointing toward Winter.
OTHER NAMES MENTIONED.
Tho other names mentioned in connection
with the presidency are: Edward Dlckin-
son, general manager of the Union Pacific;
William H Truesdale, third vice president
and general manager of the Rock Island and
Oliver w. Mink. receiver. comptroller and
second vice president OF the Union Pacific
Edwin w. Winters election was rumored
as extremely likely in Chicago railway cir
cles yesterday morning. His present home is
in ST. Paul, but his election TO the Union Pa
cihc presidency would undoubtedly mean his
removal to Omaha. 1t was announced some
time ago that the new owners of the Union
Pacific would insist on the presence of the
new president at the headquarters of the
company. Mr.. Winter is independently
wealthy and his friends are not limited to
railway circles. Should he come to Omaha
1t Is conceded that there would be many
changes in the official makeup of the com
pany here.
BURT TAKES OFFICES
1t is significant fact that Horace C
Burt third vice president of the Northwest
ern system, has recently arrived here and
established temporary headquarters in the
United States National bank building, the
fourth and fifth floors Of which building are
occupied by the Fremont. Elkhorn & Mis-
souri, Valley railroad a branch of the North
western system.
Mr. Burt is now ensconced In temporary
offices on the fifth floor of the Ekhorn head
quarters With a number OF assistants and
stenographers. He could assume contro of
the Union Pacific at a minutes notice. Dur
ing yesterday messengers between the
Union Pacific executive offices and Mr..
Burt's temporary Offices were engaged in
pounding the lagstones Of Farnam street
very hard, and some of the Union Pacific
attaches are already speaking of the former
general manager of the Ekhom as "our
President Burt"
BURT HARD TO REACH
It was no easy matter to get at Mr. Burt
yesterday. His temporary Offices are To-
Gated in the corner of the fifth floor of the
Elkhorn headquarters just off from the chief
engineers office. The attaches OF the Elk
horn had evidently been posted, for nearly
all declared their ignorance OF the fact that
Mr Burt was in the building or in the city.
lie was there, however, with his chief clerk,
George McDill, formerly of this city, and
both were hard at work.
To a Bee reporter who asked him If here
was any truth in the report that he had been
offered and had accepted the presidency OF
the Union Pacific, Mr.. Burt said mo, sir.
SO far as ! am concerned there is not word
of truth in the report" Further than this
denial he declined to be interviewed.
NOtwiths standing Mr.. Burt's emphatic denial
there are any number of rallrold men in
Omaha willing to wager small sums that
he will be the president of the reorganized
Union Pacific railroad They remember that
Mr Burt made very positive denial of the
report that he was to lowe the Elkhorn lust
before going to ST. Paul to assume charge of
tho Chicago. st. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha
railroad.
Mr.. Burt arrived In Omaha on Monday and
came here directly from II trip Of inspection
over the Kansas Pacific railroad, the Kansas
branch OF the Union Pacific. On that trip
ne was accompanied by J. o. Brinkerhoir
OF Kansas City general superintendent of .he
Union Pacific lines in Kansas. on Tuesday
morning he was at the Union Pacihc head
quarters bright and early; In fact, before
several OF the Union Pacific officials were
at their desks, He spent almost the entire
morning at Union Pacific headquarters tl-
miiarizing himself with Union Pacific af-
fairs, on Tuesday afternoon he skipped
away for awhile, but Wednesday morning
was hard at work at his Temporary headquar-
ters in the United States National Bank
building long before the majority OF the
Earnam street railroad men had come down
town. Closeted with his secretary, George
McDnl, he put IN nearly all of yesterday
there.
RAILROAD MEMS REASONS.
The reasons why railroad men think Horace
o. Burt is going TO be president Of the
Union Pacific are not remote They argue
ebst Mr.. Burt is very well posted on every
traneh Of practical rallroading, having come
bp through the operating department.