Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-30
GROUND FOR SPECULATION
Activity Of Illinois Central Gives Rise to
Renewed Railroad Gossip.
BELIEVE RADICAL CHANGE IS IN SIGHT
Rumor of Dissolution of Union P"cihc
and Northwestern is Strength
ened Of Extension of
Illinois Central 10 n

II cannot help but think" said an es-
pecially we'll informed railroad official yes
terday, that there is much more TACT
than fiction in the reported dissolution OF the
existing combine between the Union Pacific
and the Northwestern. This belief is con-
siderably strengthened by reason OF the
activity of the Illinois Central in extending
its line to Omaha.
For what reason is the Illinois Central
coming into Omaha? 1t Is hardly probable
that the local freight and passenger busi-
ness, a proportional share OF which 1t would
naturally receive, is the inducement.
The only incentive for this extern
sion must certainly be because of
assurance on the part OF the Illinois Central
that the Vanderbilt interests in the North
western are to lose their present absolute
control OF the Union Pacific business and
the interests OF Il. II. Hartman, Kuhn,
Loeb G. Co. and Speyer &c Co., who control
the balance OF power OF the Oregon Rail-
way & Navigation company, Oregon Short
Line, Union Pacific, Illinois Central, Chi
cago Terminal company, Chicago & Alton
and Baltimore e. Ohio, are to assume die
tation of affairs. 1t does not stand to
reason that the present condition OF affairs
is satisfactory to the combined interests OF
the stockholders, who control about seven
times as much of the Union Pacific stock as
the Vanderbilts, because all OF the business
which leaves the Union Pacific and goes
over the Northwestern benefits only the
Vanderbilts.
81 predict that Just as soon as the Illinois
Central gets into Omaha there will be a rad
zeal change OF affairs and that the reported
transcoutinental line OF Hartman, Kuhn,
Loeb G. Co. and Speyer G. Co. will be an
absolute reality.
'There will be but one OF two things for
the Northwestern to do. Either extend its
line from Casper to Ogden, In order to have
a system capable of competing with the
other trans continental lines, or else enter
into a track agreement with the Union Pa
ciic, for instance, by which it can operate
fits trains from Omaha over the Union Pa
cifc. This feature of railroading is becom-
ing not uncommon now and it's working SO
far has apparently been entirely satisfactory
to the roads which have experimental with
the PLAN"
The result of this rumor regarding the
breaking AVA OF the Union Pacific from the
Northwestern is the subject OF interested
speculation and contemplation in railway
circles throughout the entire country at the
present time and 1t is expected that some
definite action will soon be taken. There
has as yet been no positive denial Of the re-
port by the officials who are familiar with the
inside workings of the deal, neither has there
been a confirmation, but the former fact
gives rise to the general belief that the
transcontinental lines, including the Illinois
Central, Union Pacific, Oregon Short Line
and Oregon Railway & Navigation company,
win soon be a reality.
The finale OF the affair is expected as soon
as Mr.. Hartman shall resume his official
railroad duties upon his return from his
Alaskan trip. Together with his party. Mr..
Hartman is expected to pass through Omaha
within the coming week.