The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-23
IRE TALKING ABOUT HILI
HIS PRESENCE IN NEW YORK
CAUSES MUCH COM
MENT
GUEssEs AS TO HIS PLANS
One Theory Is That Chicago, NH
waukee & st. Paul Is to BE Alb
sOrbed-Purchase of N.
Z. Stock.

NEW YORK, Dec 22.-The Herald
SAYS: James ]. Hill, president of tho
Great Northern Railway company, has
arrived in the city and was in conference
last evening with some of the most inl-
portant capitalists Of the country, repre-
senting Morgan, Vanderbilt and Stand
ard Oil interests.
Mr.. HIPS presence in the city is re-
garded as of peculiar interest, in view Of
the recent stock market activity in
Northern Pacific, with the accompanying
reports of the readjustment of the cap
itdlization of that company and his re-
cent election also to the directorate Of
the Erie railroad, the shares of which
have also been exceedingly. active In the
market.
Prom inquiries it appears that Mr..
Hills visit is of a special nature, ana
will be brief. Attempts made to see Mr..
Hill proved unavailingf as also were at
ten1pts to reach other prominent fnan-
ciers identified with such properties as
tie Great Northern, Northern Pacific,
Chicago Milwaukee & st. Paul and the
E. lie railroads
Harmony of interest and community Of
ownership is the bee that buZzes in ev-
cry Wall street bonnet at present, and
the suggestion is made that this theory
may be extended to properties which,
while not recently regarded as disturb
ing factors, might become 50 in hands
other than those now representing their
control. Among such properties are the
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul and the
Erie railroad. The latter, it is said
has great potentialities, particularly since
st has acquired the Pennsylvania Coal
company, and seems likely to assume
an important position among the trunk
lines.
1t is asserted upon the very best au-
thority that the three principal stock
tINN5,Y1 1-alIlTX
namely, James J. Hill, John S. Kennedy
and Lord StrathcOna-are now the three
largest stockholders also of the Northern
Pacific road Lord Strathcona and Mr..
Kennedy were formerly directors in the
Great Northern. The former is a direct
or and a member Of the executive COM
raittee of the Canadian Pacific, and Is
Of great influence in Canadian affairs.
1t appears as though harmony Of inter
est in the Northwest is now complete,
through these two great interests and
those of Mr.. Morgan in these properties,
Great Northern, Northern Pacific and
Canadian Pacific.
IN view of this situation, Mr.. HIPS
election to the directorate Of the Erie
railway and recent purchases of the chi
ca1o. Milwaukee & st. Paul are of con-
siderable significance. The stock of the
latter company has been steadily acqulr-
e5 bv powerful interests not far remCV-
cd from that which recently bought into
the Northern Pacific. One important
fact is that while the stock is selling at
a relatively high price and bought pre-
sunably for investment or in furtherance
= Of some great plan, is being picked up
continually, and is not being transferred
on the books of the company This leads
to the belief that it is being gathered in
for some great purpose to be made clear
later on.
BY persons we'll Informed on the rail.
road situation, it is said that a triAe
more than one-half Of the common stock
of the st. Paul road is represented in
the board of directors. 1t is said also
that this is not necessarily a fixed inter-
est and that some one large holder, the
Standard Oil, for instance, uniting with
the new purchasers who may, for illus
trat;on, be assumed to be James J. Hill,
John r. Kennedy and J. Pierpont Nor
gan & Co., the latter Of whom already
has a considerable holding, might give
absolute control to that property.
IN Well-infOrmed banking circles tbs
belief prevails that the great announce
ment to be made in railway circles, IN
cludcs this propositions:
Entire harmony of interest In the
Northwest between the Great Northern,
Northern Pacific and Canadian Pacific,
and through community of ownership an