The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-11
AS TO JAMES J. HILL.

While Mr.. James J. Hill is not a
poseur-he is too much of a schemer
for that-he is certainly not averse
to the creation, or the dissemination
of the impression that he has been
a public benefactor; that without him
deserts now ready to bloom would
have remained in hopeless aridity;
that his enterprises have been largely
for the public; that he has the great
est foresight of any railway manager
in this or any other country and that
his influence, not only has been, but
will continue to be. benign.
Granting truth in the claim that
Mr.. Hill has done much for the north
west it is not amiss, now that the
president of the Northern Securities
company seeks to become dictator
in the transportation field, to assert
that there is another side to the pic
ture This poor Canadian lad has
grown into the man of many millions,
OF great power and of ambitions to
which there would seem to be no
limit. The railway system that he
controls has never voluntarily reduc-
ed tariffs, has never won the loyalty
OF employees, has never retained an
important executive for so long term
OF years that he became really valu-
able and in touch with the people,
has never failed to interfere in poll
| t1nC with q yioyxy RI thu
of its own interests, has brow-beaten
legislators. representatives, govern
ors and United States senators, has
never gained loyal friend. since Me
time it started west from Larimore.
Never since the possibilities of the
Northern Pacific were made clear to
Mr.. Hill has he wavered in hisAdeter-
mination to control his competitor
and it is of record that in the early
nineties he was the chief instrument
inforcing the road into bankruptcy
his intent being, of course, to obtain
control when securities had depreci-
ated and all faith in the future of the
road, on the part of eastern capital
lists, was lost.
Mr.. James ]. Hill is feared in the
northwest. There are plenty who will
kOtOw to him and not a few editors
among them who will grow almost
hysterical in panegyrics over his ca.
reer. There are thousands who will
say: This great man has been of in
istimable value to this country" and
there are hundreds of politicians who
are willing to be used by that they
may profit in the usage. But this Col
ossus of roads, this man who would
tomorrow ruin the Northern Pacific
to keep the credit of the Great North
ern inviOlate, has not a reliable or
disinterested friend. has never been
able to keep the business friendship
of capitalists with whom he dealt
has an unfortunate habit of losing his
temper at crucial points. It is very
doubtful whether Mr.. Morgan or Mr.
Hartman have ever given Mr.. Hill
their full confidence. They are shrewd
men and recognizing the shrewdness
that has brought Mr.. Hill to his pres
ent undenied altitude. are. and will
continue to be. on their guard lest
his wits prove keener than theirs and
this to their detriment.
1t can not be made too plain nor
reiterated too often that Mr.. Hills
ambitions are for himself and for his
property and are not for the public
He can be benign if it serves his pur
pose. malign if malignity better suits
| ar hn hi y,lyr
knows northwestern railway affairs
and the politics thereof, knows that
it is motto in all circles. Beware
OF Jim Hill. He will use you and cast
you aside. He is selfish, ruthless
dangerous" -Journal