The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-09-11
PEOPLE OWN IT
Canadian Pacific Seeking to Oh
tain Control of the Inter.
colonial Road.
Tried It Once Before, But Public
Sentiment Was Too
Hostile.
interesting as Possibly Marking a
New Cleavage in Canadian
Politics.

New YORK, Sept. IA special dis
patch to The Tribune from Montreal
says: A great deal of interest has been
aroused in Canada by the
ment of the Canadian Pacific railway
that it is DESTROYS of securing control
Of the Intercolonial railway system,
which is the property of the Canadian
people. Some years ago there were
signs that the Canadian Pacific had de-
signs on the road, but the sentiment
hostile to a sale was so u~nmistakable
that the matter was dropped. Since
then the business of the Intercolonial
railway has shown such signs of
improvement that there is no
doubt that the Canadian Pa
cifc is nov anxious to secure posses-
sion particularly as under existing cir.
close and profitable relations with the
Grand Trunk. the Canadian Paci6c's
rival. Sir William Van Horne, chair
man of the directors of the Canadian
Pacific, in a public interview within
the last few days said that his road
would be glad to undertake the man.
agement of the i~ntercolonial. If the
government would lease the road for q
long term of years the Canadian Pa
cifc would be willing to guar
sntee that the railway would
cost the people Of Canada
nothing in the future that the maxi
mum rates would never be higher than
the present rate. and that the govern
ment should have power to regulate
these rates and lower them under GER
tain conditions.
Sir William said that if the Canadian
Pacific railway had control of the In
tercolonial it would be willing for q
yearly subsidy of $3.50, 900 to establish a
fast Atlantic line of passenger steamers
which would ply between Liverpool
and Canada, running to Quebec in sum-
mer and to Halifax in winter. Sir
William claimed that at present the
1ntercolonial was costing the people
e75O,OOO a year, though this fact is dis
guised by clever bookkeeping and the
manipulation of the capital account. As
q further bait Sir William said that the
Canadian Pacific would be prepared to
build a fine system of summer hotels
along the line of the railway and spend
money in encouraging tourist travel.
May Indicate . New Cleavage.
This statement excites exceptional in
terest, because it may indicate a new
line of cleavage in Canadian politics.
For some years past an agitation in
favor of government ownership of rail.
ways has been carried on and a strong
feeling aroused.
Advocates Of this policy are to be
found in both political parties, but the
most practical steps in this direction
lave been taken by the present minis
ter of railways. A. G.. Blair. I,nme.
diately upon entering Office he set him
self to work to make the ~Intercolonial a
factor in the Canadian railroad situa-
ton. The result is that the Intercolonial
now runs its own freight and passenger
trains from Montreal to all points of
the Maritime provinces and is doing a
large and growing business.
Then a traffic arrangement was
made with the Grand Trunk by which
the two roads exchanged freight at
Montreal. This working arrangement
was bitterly opposed by the Canadian
Pacific.
From present appearances the Liberal
government will not agree to dispose of
the Intercolonial to the Canadian Pa
cifc railway, its policy being t extend
and consolidate the system and make
it increasingly effective as a competing
road. Sir William Van Horne's deliy-
erance is interpreted by some to mean
that the railway is preparing to make a
fighting alliance with the Conserva.
tives. the understanding being that if it
is effective in returning them to power
at the elections which will be held
within the next year. the reward will
be the consolidation of the two railway
systems under the present Canadian
Pacific management.