The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-12-25

~ Is q uSuL Dy punch OF 1nQ1an8
beating tom-toms!''
That Is the version placed by Great
Northern and Northern Securities official
dom upon the campaign that is being con-
Quoted upon the so-called railway merger.
In the reception room of the Great
Northern general office, last evening, an
official Of that company, standing in close
relations to President Hill, said to the
waiting newspaper represent ative who
had sent in to the president for an inter
view on certain points involving the
Northern Securities company and threat
ened litigation:
Governor Van SAINT and Attorney Gen
eral Douglas are simply beating the tom
tom to keep up excitement. They are
weakening daily. The situation is going
against them, and they know it. They
were going to begin litigation several
weeks ago, and they were going to call an
extra session for Jan. 1. The attorney
general has not begun action yet, and the.
governor has not even issued his message
calling an extra session. Instead, they are
going out to Montana on political junket
that will give the newspapers something
to talk about
"Will there be an early reduction in
Great Northern rates? There is no doubt
whatever about that, and that very soon.
If the legislature is called into extra ses-
sion-which 1 now very much doubt will
occur, if the interests back of the COVER
nor can prevent-the legislators will have
all they can do in framing rate reduction
bills that will keep up with the rate cut
ting pace we will set for them.
But it Is doubtful if that extra session
will be called, and If it is, there will be
every effort made to tie their hands so
that they cannot go into rate reduction
legislation?
The reason is this. Rival railway in
terests are back of the governor in this
movement, and they are afraid of the
rate reductions which they know we are
preparing. They will do all In their
power to head off these reductions. They
are now attempting to prevent an extra
session of the legislature; and if it is
called they will try to keep it off the sub
ject of rates."
Heading OR' Rate Reduction.
Look at the recent announcement of
State Railroad Commissioner Staples. He
wants railroads prohibited from lowering
rates.
who is responsible for that PROPOSE
ff0n? Tho uoro iptoroc+o u-ho orc booIr
ing the governor and the attorney gen
eral in their fight upon us. This is simply
another scheme to head off our cutting of
tariffs.
"No, do not refer to the Union Pa
cific. 1t is not particularly interested. I
refer to local and Chicago roads.
'The two roads chiefly interested in our
proposed rate reforms, and the two that
are most friendly to Governor Van SAINT
and the rest of his political following in
this fight on us, are the 500 and the st.
Paul
They don't want rates that are going
to build up Duluth and Superior as against
the great grain market and shipping CEN
ter Of the country, as against the suprem-
acy Of Chicago. Having no connections
with the head of the lakes, they don't
want the channel of western traffic turned
that way. You may depend upon it, Du-
luth is with us in this fight, as strongly
as Chicago is against us.
what ground is there for these criti-
cisms in regard to the actions of these
roads? Look at the attacks of their or
gans in comparing 500 and Milwaukee
rates with ours. Look at the employment
by the governor and attorney general of
NJ. D. Mum as associate states attorney
to push this case. Every one knows that
Mum Is the street railway attorney of
Thomas Lowry, the 500 president.
Information Free as Air.
''As to the charge that we are afraid to
publish notice OF the transfer Of Great
Northern and Northern Pacific stocks for
those OF the Northern Securities company,
it is nonsense. Some delay may have been
occasioned in the exchange by reason of
the time taken to print the certificate and
stock blanks of the Northern Securities
company. But if Governor Van SAINT and
IHe attorney general WduC the IacCS, Cney
know where to get them. Let them apply
to the New York Office, and the proper off,
cial will give them all the information
they want.
But they don't want facts. They want
political excitement. This Is simply a
political game supported by rival inter-
ests. Their stock in trade is newspaper
sensation.
'It is fight by bunch of Indians beat
ing toms"
At this point the presidents private sec
retary appeared and accommodated the
newspaper representative with the
answers of President Hill to the questions
sent in for his consideration.
To the question, "Is reduction of rates
one Of the good things referred to In your
address as about to occur soon?' Presi-
dent Hills reply was: "The answer to
this will be furnished by Mr.. Miller"
OF the question, ''Is forthcoming
states litigation the cause OF your not
posting transfers of Great Northern and
Northern Pacific stock for Northern Sc