The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-16
WHAT MAY RESULT.

Northern, Northern Pacific and Bur.
lington systems being practically an
assured fact, it is interesting to spec
| ulate on the probable effects it will
have on the northwest, particularly
that portion lying on this side of
the Missouri. Chicago and st. Paul
newspapers appear satisfied that a
wal of some sort will follow the con-
solidation, as the lines which are
bound to feel the results in loss of
traffic will probably not sit idle and
see business pass them by without
making an effort to secure their
share. Now it happens that two of
the companies whose interests are
threatened the most are large and
wealthy and able to put up a stiff
fight if they decide to institute hos
tilities against the big combine.
These roads ale the Chica 60, Mil
waukee & st. Paul and the Chicago &
Northwestern. The loss Of business
with which they are threatened is
that between Chicago and st. Paul.
particularly east bound, as the com
bination practically controls all bus
mess from the Pacific northwest and
will place it where it will pay toll for
the longest haul. IN west bound
business the effect will probably not
be very material. Too many roads
enter Chicago from the east to make
the action of the Erie in joining the
Hill combination seriously felt. These
outside lines may be depended upon
to distribute their business among the
different roads the same as usual. OF
course, the 800" remains as a pos
sible ally to the outside roads, if the
new concern refuses to give a fair
share of the %eastbound business to it's
rivals.
While, as events already go to show,
but little if any new work so far as
the Burlington is concerned may be
expected in the way of western extern
sions having for their ultimate OBJ
ject the Pacific coast, for the neces-
sity of such extension has passed with
the passing of the company as a sep
arate and independent organization, it
is lot at ali certain that some other
company will not now begin to reach
for the rich territory lying west
of the Missouri and having for it's
western boundary the Pacific. 1t may
prove that both the Northwestern and
the Chicago Milwaukee & st. Paul may
take a notion to invade the territory
now controlled by the Hill-Morgan
combination. The first named already
a good piece of road built on IuIs
side of the Missouri, reaching the
Black Hills with one branch and ex-
tending well into Wyoming with an
other. The milwaukee, is not so for
tunate, it's western extensions reach
ing no lurther than the Missouri, but
it is by no means helpless, as it has
ample capital to build, and judging
from it's action in asking the legis-
A"SoAS Va "4oSOAAo1A, III VIII oLdIC
the company is chartered, to so
amend the laws that the company
may construct new lines on the vote
OF a majority of it's stockholders in
Of by the consent of two-thirds,
IL looks very much as if something is
in the wind. At least so it is so con-
strued by many who have been watch
ing events and usually have a toler-
ably fair and accurate knowledge of
matters pertaining tt railroading, es-
pecially in the west. Whatever the
outcome, it is only reasonable to
assume that the new combine will
be left in u~ndisputed possession
of all the advantages it apparently
now holds.