Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-02-09
BIG ROADS TO MERGE
Latest Report Says Burlington
and Northern Pacific Will
Be Made One.
Iron ECONOMY IN OPERATION
Scheme of Agents to Defeat
Scalpers-G General News
of the Track.

The latest report in railroad circles
is that President Mellen. of the North
ern Pacific, is in New York perfecting
arrangements which he has quietly
carried out for the consolidation of
the Northern Pacific and Burlington,
and that the Great Northern will not
be in the deal. An authority declares
that j. P. Morgan has been behind
the move which was worked up
through Mellen.
The Burlington now hauls North
ern Pacific cars from Kansas City to
Billings. Mont, and the Northern
Pacific hauls Burlington cars from
Billings to the Pacific coast. The
interchange of business amounts to
double load in one respect, for the
Burlington operates its own solid
passenger trains to Portland.
As outlined, the plan contemplates
the amalgamation of the two roads as
matter of economy in operation and
as obviating the necessity of building
several hundred miles of road by the
Burlington 90 parallel the Northern
Pacific, proposition that has been
under consideration for three years,
and which has been settled by the.
directors. The recent tendency to
consolidate and especially the ANAL
gamation of the TRANSATLANTIC lines
has fastened the promotion of the
BurIington-No Pacific deal.
O Absorbs Another Line.
1t is said on good authority that
the real object of the conference of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
head officials in st. Joseph, Mo-, dur
ing the last two days was to perfect
plans for the absorption by that road
Of the st. Joseph & Grand Island.
The Kansas City & Omaha branch
of the Grand Island has been in the
hands of the Burlington for nearly a
year.
If proposition goes through at
meeting of the general passenger
agents of the eastern roads in Chicago
next Wednesday it will be necessary
for travellers from the east going
through Chicago to board the first
connecting train for the west instead
of having q days limit to their tick
cts. The scheme is said to be part
of move by the roads entering Chi
cago to restrict the use of all through
tickets so that passengers may enjoy |
the shortest time possible in the city
The object of the proposed restriction, |
say the railroad officials, is to pre-
vent scalping of through tickets
John Tracy, the Milwaukee's oldest |
roadmaster, is dead at his home in |
Freeport. aged 60 He had been con-
nected with the company for so years. |
and when he resigned last Decem Der |
the company pensioned him for the
balance of his days, a mark of appre- |
citation that is seldom shown by rail-
road corporations for employees.
Rock Island Rumblings.
Supt. G. l.. Nichols, of the Illinois
division, and Trainmaster w. S. Tins
man were looking after the roads
affairs in this city yesterday.
Conductors G. Hubbard and c. E.
are among those laid off on
account of sickness.
Among the train crews those who
have reported for duty during the
past week are Conductors Clifford. Z
K. Curtis and F. Fulsinger and Brake
men Ludwig and r Grant.
Passenger Flagman Mcdowell has
resigned.
Brakeman G. Gstettenbauer, of the
Iowa division, has been working in
the yards of late.
Caught ON the Q.
Switchman James Moses is lay
ing of.
Switchman Z. j. Anderson, who
was for six weeks laid up with a
sprained ankle. is back at work.
Fireman Il. I'll. Weimer has reported
after a weeks illness.
Engineer H. Dempsey, of Boards
own, has been on the coal run the
past week.
Hostler George Mckee is sick and
Fireman William Montgomery, who
reported for duty, is taking
lis place. /
Fireman Hieronymus is the latest
addition to the force.
Peoria Points.
Engine No. 10 has been sent to the
hops for repairs.
John Lucas, of the roundhousel
orce, has reported after several
weeks illness.