Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-05
RAIL ROAD men SPECULATIVE
Expiration Of Agreement Between Union
Pacific and Northwestern,
VARIOUS OPINIONS AS TO ITS RENEWAL
Belief that Union Pacific Will Pursue
Impartial Course in Distribution
of Business, Based on
Returns Received.

In railroad circles yesterday there was
much interested speculation relative 10 an
important epoch which has been reached by
the Union Pacific and Northwestern rail-
roads. Ten years ago, November 4, 1889. an
agreement was entered into between these
two great systems which provided for a
close interchange of business. The Union
Pacific had, at that time as now, the strong
line operating between the Missouri river
and the Pacific coast, while the North
western was one Of the most influential
lines east Of the Missouri river During the
ten years that this agreement has been in
effect 1t has been closely adhered to by the
two systems and the business of each, both
in passenger and freight departments. has
been greatly enlarged. Yesterday the time
limit OF this agreement expires and rail-
road men are discussing the probable out
come of the matter. Whether or not the
agreement will be again entered into Is
questionable, and in this feature OF the
matter interest is centered. A few months
ago the opinion was quite generally ex-
pressed that when the Illinois Central should
reach Omaha the existing relations between
the Northwestern and Union Pacific would
be severed as soon as the contract entered
into between the two railroads ten years
ago would permit. This opinion was based
ou ldCI tudl II. OWuS a
large block Of the stock of both the Union
Pacific and Illinois Central, and is an i'm
portant factor in the control of both roads.
On the other hand, he has practically no
interest In the Northwestern, while the Van
derbilts, who control he balance of power
In the Northwestern, have but little influence
with the Union Pacific.
Well informed railroad men hold the opn-
ion that the Union Pacific will be wary oil
renewing an iron-clad agreement with the
Northwestern. They express the belief that
perhaps temporary agreement may be
drawn UP between the two systems. but that
at will be of such character that the Unior
Pacific will be in nowise bound to turn ovel
to the Northwestern all its eastbound freight
and passenger traffic. The general belief Is
however, that II any agreement Is entered
into by the Union Pacific 1t will be with the
Illinois Central, and pending it's arrival into
Omaha the Union Pacific will be impartia
in the distribution Of its eastbound business
Others assert that the Union Pacific will IL
the future direct its business from Omaha
over all the eastern lines, giving each sor
of a pro rata share in accordance with tht
amount which 1t shall receive in return.
In opposition to all these opinions Is th
statement that the Northwestern and Unio,
Pacific were never on more friendly term
than at present and these two systems form
an important link in the proposed transcon
tinental line which has aroused so much in
terest in the business and financial worl
during the last few weeks. Again. the fac
IS cited that within very recent time tn
Northwestern and Union Pacific have prac
tically solicited their transcontinental pas
senger business by inaugurating the ney
train service between Chicago and the Pa
cific coast and operating trains which ru
through from Chicago over the Northwest
srn, Union Pacific and Southern Pacifi
tracks without the slightest change.
Collating all these facts the railroa
world has a more interesting nut to crac
than 1t has had for some time. Officials VIII
are in position to know something defnit
regarding this matter refuse to talk on tn
subject and consequently every railroad ma
holds that his opinion is as good as any one
else,