The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-12-27
Reported That It Wants
NJ. w. Connections.
IT MAY BUILD OR BUY
The Tendency HToward Consolida-
tion Makes Feeder Advisable
c. M. & ST. P. WELL THOUGHT OF
One Suggestion Is That the Milwau.
kee Be Bought and Extended
Westward.

The reported intention of the Pennsyl-
vania railway system to enter the north
west either by extension or the purchase
of one of the Independent Chicago sys-
TENS is given much credence in western
railway circles.
Since the organization of the North
ern Securities company and the attempt
to make James J. Hills consolidation
scheme effective, the new conditions in
the northwest have been the cause of
much concern to the officials of the Penn
sylvania. Reports have been in circula-
tion that the Pennsylvania was making an
effort to secure control of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & st. Paul, and in case it was
successful intended to extend the Mil
waukee to the coast. These reports have
grown stronger within the past few
weeks.
Penn. System Needs u Feeder.
The freight traffic east and west through
the twin city gateway is a big factor in
freight business Of the trunk lines. It
is to be the policy of the Hill roads to
favor the Erie on all business east of
Chicago wherever possible. Including the
Northwestern system, the Vanderbilt
lines are in a strong position in the terri
tory west of Chicago and the traffic alli-
ance with the Union Pacific finds them
we'll entrenched on coast traffic. The Hill
consolidation has created new conditions
in the west and forces the big trunk lines
to make traffic connections that will not
fail them or else extend their lines.
Railway presidents predict an immense
increase in northwestern traffic within
few years. The Pennsylvania, to strength
en- it's hold on western business, must
maas "a move in this direction. The
Milwaukee is practically an Independent
system and is in position to accomplish
all that the Pennsylvania desires.
Control of the Milwaukee.
During the past three weeks prominent
western railway men have predicted some
big sensations as result of Northern
Pacific Great Northern Burlington mer-
ger. One of these is the expected con-
troll Of the Milwaukee by the Pennsyl-
vania or close alliance between the sys-
TENS. 1t is also given out that the re-
cent statement that the Milwaukee would
extend toward the coast was not "bluff''
and that President Earling is preparing to
spring a startling program Of extensions
the coming year.
It is also stated that the Pennsylvania
system prefers to own a mort hwestern sys-
TEN rather than depend upon traffic al
lance. Big financial deals have no ter
rors for the Pennsylvania. In two years
it has septn vast sums Of money to
strengthen it's position as one Of the
biggest carriers on the continent. 1t has
purchased $50, ,000,0 900 of Baltimore & Ohio
stock; $12, 600 Of the Chesapeake &
Ohio, $36 000, 600 of the Norfolk & West
ern, $6,000,000 Of the Long Island $6,000,-
900 of the Western New York & Pennsyl-
vania, and Sc, 5000, 900 of the Erie West
ern Transportation company. 1t has
bought the controlling interest in two Of
the great steel companies in Pennsylvania.
purchased the Pocohontas mines, and
made contracts for $50, 600, 900 equipment
The new tunnel into New York city will
cost $50,00O,000. The Pennsylvania total
expenditures for two years along the line
Of extensions and improvements have
amounted to 1920 000, 900. 1t is believed to
be ready to add big sum to this to
make it's position on coast traffic and
especially in the traffic of coast lumber
secure by the control of the Milwaukee,