The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-12
PIERP()NT IS CAUTIOUS
MR. MORGAN NOT DESTROYS OF
ANTAGONIZING THE STATE
OF MINNESOTA
MAY BLOCK THE PURCHASE
Further Proceedings in Connection
With st. Paul ~ Duluth
May he Ahan-
dOned.

An entirely new feature of the some
what involved situation between the st.
Paul & Duluth and Northern Pacific rail
roads and the state railway commission
developed yesterday. 1t was learned that
Leverett S. Miller, at one time chief en-
gineer and later assistant general man
ager of the Duluth, who is now general
manager Of the Seattle & International,
a Northern Pacific road, was in the city
Saturday. and left for New York Saturday
evening President MeIen, of the North
ern Pacific, left Saturday evening for the
same destination. These facts, in con-
necticu with others affecting the rela-
tons Of Mr.. Miller with the PierpOnt Nor
gan, Mellen and Northern Pacific inter
ests in the transfer deal and with the
ST. Paul & Duluth, lead well-infCrmed
railroad men to expect that under the ! G.
cent developments resulting from the rail-
road commissions objections to the trans
fer Eir. Miller Will be put in charge of the
Duluth property. This will effect an eva
sion of the law governing the ccnsolda-
ton of parallel lines, and at the same
time insure the complete harmony of all
Duluth interests with those Of Mr. Nor
gan and the Northern Pacific.
White some Of the strong reasons for
believing that MIR. Miller is the man slat
ed to handle the Duluth for the North5 RI
Pacific in the event that the consolidation
of the two properties is prevented by law,
are those obtained as deductions from the
knowledge Of his relations with the differ
cnt interests affected by the conSOlida-
tion, there are also facts to substantiate
the view. Mr.. Miller is known to be {.
close friend of President Melen, of the
Northern Pacific, and it is asserted that it
was Mellen's influence which placed him
in charge Of the Seattle & International.
lie was for five years an cficial Ct the Du-
luth, and is thoroughly versed in the de
tails of its resources and methods Of its
management. He is known to be in friend
ly touch with J. Pierpont Morgan, comes
from an aristocTatic New York family,
and is acceptable to all the interests con-
trolling the Northern Pacific. He is a rail
road official Of great ability and of known
executive power.
No positive confirmation can be obtain
ed OF the fact that the Northern Pacific
anticipated the action Of the railroad com
mission in questioning the legality of the
transfer Of the Duluth to that road. At
the same time the fact that President
Mellen left for New York almost immedi-
aJely upon the announcement, and that
Mr.. Miller arrived in St Paul Saturday
IN his private car, ready to make the same
trip in company with the Northern Pacific
executive, show that there is ground for
DeueVlng that action had been determined
upon IN anticipation of the railway COM
missioners' move. Mr.. Miller spent sever
al hours in the city Saturday. and was
In conference with several prominent rail
road men. One officer said of his visit yes
terday:
Mr.. Miller conveyed no intimation of
the purpose of his visit to New York,
but remarked that President MeIIen
would be there at the same time, and
appeared exceedingly interested in gain
Ing all local information bearing upon
the consolidation plans of the two roads.
Ine acton of the railway commission
was probed by him, and he appeared to
be conYersant with the legal possibilities
of the case"
Ihat Mr.. Miller's visit East has a def
mite bearing on the consolidation plans
Is more than probable.
In the most conservative view, the pros
pect OF litigation and sharp contest Il
the Northern Pacific persists is clearly
defined
There is one man, however, who more
than any other controls the destinies of
the Northern Pacific. This is j. Pier
pont Morgan, the Wall street fnancier.
Speaking from personal knowledge of
MN, railroad man said yesterday:
@'AA' -'ACl gan Is strongly opposed to
any acton involving a legal contest af-
fecting the legality of any important
railway absorption, consolidation or
transfer in which he is directly inter
ested What l know of him makes me
positive in the belief that sooner than
to have fight over the legality of the
Duluth consolidation occur, he would
be willing to pass the matter and ar
range as best he can with the situation
as 1t is The st. Paul & Duluth is al
ready Northern Pacific property. The
IOad mas passed into the hands of the
Morgan interests. To effect A consolida-
ton the elimination of the Duluth head
quarters and official staff must ensue
In the present case l believe that he
would advocate retaining the Duluth
force, maintaining its present headouar-
ters and methods, making it the same
IN all essential particulars as it has been
d separate railroad, but one owned bv
Northern Pacific interests. Anv one can
Duy railroad if they have money. For
lllls reason there is no legal obstacle to
the Northern Pacific's purchase of the
road. VI INC
Il have Investigated all the cases on
record involving the state law against
consolidation of parallel or CONNECTING
mes and am convinced that 1t will an
ply to the present plans In case tho
railroad commission is inclined to pusb
N1'S NAASlS Is no DOUBT in mind
that they will win''
What about Leverett s. Miuer?"
FOR reasons which 1 would not care
10 make public, since learning of his
Journey East, am inclined to believe
mat it affects the consolidation plans
II the transfer of the Duluth fails
look lor action which will place him in
general charge of the railroad as sepa-
cific" 0- 'iieiH L d.
"A little further light on the Northern
racine plans for the Duluth, after the
t{oIlsoIlaauon' t{If'll'I' was obtained yesterday
oHrough an interview with one of the ofi-
Gals OF the Interested roads
if the consolidation fails" said he. "it
VIII WIN mean that General Auditor McKin-
ley retains his position. that GeneraI
Passenger Agent Stone has his nresar1+
Iorce' instead of half that number: that
GeheraI Freight Agent Broughton has
me same, and that all the accountiner
employees and large number in the een.
erai freight department. will retain their
positions '--e'i