The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-23
JAMES ]. HILL IN MEN YORK
VISIT OF GREAT NORTHERN rREsY-
DENT CAUSES GOSSIP.
Interesting suggestions as to the
Probable Future of the Railroad
Situation In the Northwest-Mr.
Hill a Prominent Factor Therein.

NEW YORK. Dec. S.-The Herald SAYS
James J. Hill, president of the Great
Northern Railway Company. has arrived
in this city and was in conference last
evening with some of the most important
CAPITALISTS of the country representing
Morgan Vanderbilt and Standard Oil in
terests.
Mr. Hills presence In this city is re-
garded as of peculiar interest, in view Of
the recent stock market activity in North
ern Pacific, With the accompanying re-
ports OF a readjustment of the capitalism
ton of that company. and his recent
election also to the directorate of the Erie
railroad the shares of which have also
been exceedingly active in the market.
From Inquiries II appears that MIR. Hllrs
visit is Of a special nature ana will be
brief. Attempts made 10 see Mr. Hin
proved unavailing. as were also attempts
to reach other prominent financfers iden-
tilted CLOSELY with such properties as the
Great Northern, Northern Pacific, Chica-
go, Milwaukee & st. Paul and the Erie
roads.
Harmony OF interest," and community of
ownership IL the bee in every Wall street
bonnet at present and the suggestion is
made that this theory may be extended
TO properties which, while not recently
regarded as disturbing factors. might be-
come so In hands of others THAI those now
representing the control
Among such properties are the Chicago
Miiwaukee & 81. Paul. and the Erie ram
roads. The latter, II is said, has great
potentialities, particularly since II has
acquired the Pennsylvania Coal Company
and seems likely to assume an important
position among the trunk lines.
!. II is asserted upon the very best author
ity that the three principal stockholders
in the Great Northern railway, namely.
JONES j. Hill. John 8 Kennedy and Lord
stockholders of the Northern Pacific road.
Lord Strathcona and Mr.. Kennedy were
formerly directors In the Great Northern.
Of the executive committee OF the Cana
dian Pacific and is of great influence in
Canadian anars.
Harmony In Northwest.
1t appears as though harmony of In
terest in the Northwest Is now cornplefe
through these great interests and those
Of Mr.. Morgan in these properties-Grea
Northern, Northern Pacific and Canadian
Pacific.
In view OF this situation Mr.. Hilrs
election TO the directorate OF the Erie
road is OF considerable Significance. The
stock OF the Chicago. Milwaukee 4 st.
erful interests not far removed from
those, that have recently bought into the
Northern Pacific.
One peculiar fact Is that while the
and bought presumably for investment
or IN furtherance OF some great plan, Is
nciHg pirkeu uD continually, IL Is not be-
ing transferred on the books of the COM
pany. This leads to the belief that 1t ia
being gathered in for some great purpose,
to be made clear later on.
BY persons well informed on the rail-
road situation. IL Ia said that trihe more
than one-half ofsthe common stock OF the
st. Paul road is represented In the board
of directors. II is said also that this Is
not necessarily a fixed interest, and that
some one large holder. the Standard OIL
for Instance. uniting with the new pur-
chasers who may for illustrat ton be as
sumed TO be James j. Hill, John r. Ken
nedy and J. Pierpont Morgan q Co.. the
latter of whom already has q considerable
holding, might give absolute control Of
that property.
In well informed banking circles
the belief prevails that the great
announcement to be made in railroad cir
Giles includes this proposition
Entire harmony of interest In the
Northwest between the Great Northern,
Northern Pacific and Canadian Pacific,
and through community of ownership an
arrangement with the st. Paul road In
the middle section and the Erie railroad
to tidewater. the Eastern outlet to he
used In much the same manner as the
by the Northwestern and the Union Pa
cifc
That in addition To this something IL
to be done In the line OF q readiustnant
of Northern Pacific securities Is the belief
In Wall street. In connection with the
matter various plans have been suggested
and the price movement gives evidence
that something OF the kind Is under con-
sidcration.