The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-01-15
UNCLE RUSSELL ON HIS HANDS
George GouId Thinks the Old Man is
an Elephant.


an Elephant.
New York. Jan. 12-"You are a costly In
heritance from my father"
7 Could. at the last meeting of the West
I,.n Union directors addressed these words
20 Russell Sage.
The outbreak was occa stoned by dis
eussion over a measure Of improvement
which had been proposed by Mr. Gould.
The improvement, however, involved con-
siderable expense, and Mr.. Sage had
number of objections to offer on the score
Of economy.
George Cloud waxed impatient and, fin
ely, it IS alleged, took Mr.. Sage to task
M the manner described. 1t was the first
open rebellion on the part of the present
head of the Gould family against the dicta
ton Of his fathers associate in business.
When Jay Gould died, his parting in
junction to George was to bow to the adj
vice of Russell Sage, and when they diff
fered on a vital point to remember Mr.
Sage's ripe experience and mature iudg-
ment in matters of business.
The great estate was placed in charge
OF the children, with the verbal pro-
viso, which was TO cover the management
of all properties in which the Gould and
Sage families were interested jointly. The
management of the Manhattan railway
practically was left in the hands of Mr.
Sage, and he has had free hand in the
development of that property until quite
recently.
George Gould, however, chared uder the
imputation of incompetiency and when 2
years ago, during his absence in Europe
Mr.. Sage suggested that the Gould boys
had better attend to business instead of
foOling around French noblemen," the
younger man thought seriously of sever
ingthe old bonds of friendship. The trou-
bic, however, was smoothed over for
time, and all went well until Hast summer,
when differences again arose between the
two men, and Gould began to grow restlVe
There was no actual breach, but rela-
lions were strained. From the time OF MS
return, in the fall, Mr.. Gould has been
preparing TO assert himself. Two months
ago he took the reins absolutely into ms
own hands. and devoted himself to the
problem of electric equipment of the eie-
waited railway system. Mr.. Sage grumbled
but was ignored and outvoted in the d.
rectors' meeting. He contended that 1t
would be unwise to adopt any system Of
electricity until inventive genius had per-
fected this kind of motive power. George
Gould on the other hand, urged the i'm
mediate adoption of some sort of an ele-
ctrical device promising greater facility
in the moving of trains. He told Mr.. sage
that this course was imperative.
The fact of the matter is that the re-
+,,r1 of the Democratic party TO power IN
this city threatened the Manhattan ran
vav company. The Democratic leaders
would not hold converse with Mr. sage
owing to his unyielding opposition 10
modem improvements, and during the
Tannmanv conferences at Lakewood
NJ 7 Mr.. Gould was sent for. he was
given 10 understand that rapid transit
while demanded by the people, could not
he provided at once because of a consutu-
tionaI provision limiting the issue OIL mum
cipaI bonds. However, if the Gould-Sage
people did not pledge themselves TO MAKE
needed improvements and extensions on
the elevated system, Mayor Van Wyck
would take up the projectaPf building an
underground railway at onte and do what
he could to promote the enterprise, to the
serious disadvantage of the IL system.
George Gould reported the result of this
conference to Mr.. Sage and they discus
sad the matter at a board meeting. Mr..
Sage kicked, as usual, but was over
ruled.
Then came the Western UniC meeting.
Again. Mr. Sage interposed economical OBJ
iections, and again he aroused the ire or
his youthful partner. Mr.. Gould accus-
ed Sage, it is asserted, of being consttu-
tionallv opposed to anything in the line
of progress. Sage retorted that he was
only conservative and looking at such
things from the standpoint of the bust
Conservatism nOthing!" exclaimed
Gould. again according to witnesses. You
are an obstructionist."
The controversy grew to a white heat.
Young Gould charged Mr. Sage with bad
faith in the matter of the purchase of the
Union Pacific from the government and
with mismanagement of the Manhattan
property. alleging that but for Mr.. Sage
the scandal arising from the Kansas Pa
cific deal never would have occurred.
Mr. Russell Sage says that he
had only used the most jealous care to
preserve the great Inheritance the
Gould boys had received from their faith
er."
Then came George Gould's outburst:
Yes, you are a costly inheritance
rom my fatheri''
The old man was stricken spe"chless,
and mumed something about pert boys,
who did not know their own place"
Now there is said 10 be a GOODNESS be-
tween thetwo men. also, that George
Gould, on reflection, relented and apOlO-
gized to Mr. Sage for the manner of his
address. without, however, receding from
his position.
The Manhattan railway directors met
today. and George Gould announced
that a decision had been reached to use
electricity on the lines. and that the
third rail system would be adopted. The
directors were in hearty accord with him
Mr.. Sage being the only opponent of the
scheme.
Mr.. Gould reported that he would sub
hit the details of a final plan at the next
meeting, with specifications OF cost and
methods of operation. After the meet
ing Mr.. Gould said:
No formal vote was taken on the mat
ter, but one may next week. II has been
decided not only to proceed with the co
nipment of the system with the electric
motive power. but to push plans for the
extension of the system. The main lines
VIII be extended 10 all the important fer
ries, and the suburban lines through tba
sparsely settled districts, IL the Rani5
Transit commission will grant the nee
essary authority"
Dcn't Quit Golf When Snow File.
But board the Santa Fe's quick Califo--
MIA Limited. bound for Los Angeles.
links. They play there all winter; So
may you.