The evening times., 1898-09-17
THE B.&O. In NEW HANDS
Continued from First Page.)

TOT Il NUMBER Oh years president OF the
Wisconsin Central and after his death
the road passed under independent con-
troll and broke away from the alliance
that had previously been formed with
the Northern Pacific through President
Coiby's influence. Had the Wisconsin
Central not changed hands, Mr.. Hill
would have undoubtedly acquired it at
that time. and would also have obtained
possession of the Baltimore and Ohio
road which he was at that time negotiat-
ing for.
The link between Chicago and st. Paul
under the new combination, as before
named, is the Chicago Great Western.
This road was for number of years
known as the Chicago. St. Paul and
Kansas City, or better known for adver-
tisins purposes as the Maple Leaf Line"
Ii has been what is known in railroad
circles as a "cut rate" line and it be-
came very largely advertised through its
liberality in cutting rates TO suit the de-
sires of shippers and travellers.
Col. A b. Stickney. of ST Paul, has
been the president of the road for
number of years, and is regarded one
OF the ablest railroad men in the United
States. lie is a fine lawyer and has
written number of books upon the sub
ject of railways and their relation to
the public In some respects Col. Stick
ney has been regarded as more favorable
TO the people than to the railroads, and
in railroad circles he has frequently
been referred TO as railroad anarchist.
The Consolidated system.
There is every reason 10 believe that
Mr Hin will be the president of the con-
solidated system. AT least, he will have
/ charge Of the operating department of the
road and viii no doubt. as soon as the
/ consolidation is perfected, place in serv-
! ice through cars from New York 10 the
/ Pacific Ocean.
| James ]. Hill is regarded by those who
/ know him as a most extraordinary man.
He has been the railway king Of the Cold
/ en- Northwest for many years. Forty
/ years ago he was a freight handler on the
wharf in St Paul. At that time he was
! employed by the Upper Mississippi steam
/ boat companies. He began life as a day
laborer. but he had the faculty to accu-
mulate money. He was industrious and
1 frugal He advanced step by step. and
( his genius soon attracted attention.
A strange coincidence made by Mr.. Hill,
d railroad manager. Many years ago the
president of the Bank of Montreal was
making a trip through the West, and
while in ST. Paul came in contact wiki
Mr.. HILL The bank president had gone
10 that section Of the country for the
purpose of making Investigations incl
/ dent to investing some OF the funds of
the banks surplus. Mr.. Hill showed
! such financial ability that he afterwards
! became agent of the Bank Of Montreal
! in ST Paul and the surrounding country
As he became better acquainted with the
I bank officials and they learned to know
/ his merit. Hill approached the president
OF the bank upon he subject of advance
! ing money for the purchase of the St
! Paul. Minneapolis and Manitoba Rail-
! road. He mapped out his plan before the
! board of directors of the bank. His
schemes were good, and were so approv-
I'd by the officers of the bank. His pur-
| chase Of the road and the manner in
which he improved the property and add
ed 20 it. is too well known TO require fur
ther notice al this time.
His Financial Hackers.
From that day to this Mr.. Hilrs chief
financial supporters have been the bank
/ ing interests OF Canada. He has accumu-
! lated a vast fortune himself and is es-
timated to be worth several millions. His
home in St. Paul, ON Prospect Avenue.
overlooking the Mississippi River, is one
OF the handsomest residences in the
United States. He began its construction
IN 1857 and completed it in 1889 II is es-
timated that the mansion itself, with its
furnishings, cost more than a million dol
lars.
To Mr.. Hill is due the credit of the
rapid growth Of the northwest more than
to any other particular man. He has
gone on the principle that railroad rates
are higher than necessary. He believes
that railroad rates should be made as
cheap as water transportation. The peo-
pie OF California, who are oppressed by
the Union Central and Southern Pacific
Railroad Companies look upon Mr.. Hill
as their deliverer. He has entered the
! domain of the great Pacific octopus, and
has promised the people of California
that he will give them rates the same as
are accorded the residents of other sec
tions of the country
Mr. Hill has never been regarded as
an oppressor of the public. He has gone
upon the principle that the way to make
railroad property valuable is to encour-
! age the people along its line 10 build
manufactures and to aid them as much
as possible in the development of their
agricultural resources. That has been
! one of the secrets of Mr.. Hills success
| His Great Northern road is regarded as
/ one of the best railroads in the Western
| country. 1t is often referred To in that
section as the Pennsylvania Railroad of
/ the West. 1t is laid with heavy steel
pounds to the yard and is thoroughly
balasted from one end to the other. Its
| rolling stock is up-to-date.
To BE More EnterprisfnE.
There is no doubt but what Mr.. Hill
win inject into the management of the
Baltimore G. Ohio road that enterprise
that has characterized him throughout
his entire railroad history. 1t is well
known that for the past eight years the
Baltimore and Ohio has deteriorated in
stead of advanced. Its rolling stock had
not been replenished until about two years
ago, when it passed into the hands of Re-
ceivers John X. Cowen and oscar G.