The age-herald., 1901-05-12
JAMES J. HILL.
Greatest Railroad Autocrat Since
 Commodore Vanderbilt.

Earl D. Berry. in Ainslee's.
 "No man has ever taken a more earn est part in developing the community of interest idea than James J. Hill, presi- dent of the Great Northern Railroad. and director in several other railroad corporations. MT. Hill is a men of energy and quick decision, and once he makes up his mind that thing is desirable to do, he proceeds to do 1t with all his might.
 - The community of interest idea is growing in favor he said. not long ago. Small lines of railroad, with few ex- captions, are not likely to grow all by themselves, so 1t is much better for them to join interests with strong lines. It is not necessary that the roads should con- soiidate, although in many instances ft more economical administration could undoubtedly be obtained by such a course. The time is coming when the community of interest will be so perfect ed that small lines of road will be cut off from connecting traffic so as to make an Independent policy on their part unprofit- able
 MT. HIll Is the antocrat of the Great Northern Railroad. Since Commodore Vanderbilt's time there has not been so complete an instance of one-man-power at the head of a great railroad system as is presented in the case of President Hill. He evolves policies and executes them, as directors lowing to his will with dignified but unanimous duty. Men in the employ of the Great Northern know that unless they satisfy James J. Hill their fate is sealed. There is no other court of appeal. And President Hill has the reputation of being very particular, to use the cautious phrase of his sub- ordinates.
 "One day MT. Hill walked into the of flee of high official of the Great North ern Railroad, in St. Paul, and brusquely announced:
 MT. -, I do not think that you and myself are well mated. Your success sor will report for duty tomorrow
 This high official had been drawing a salary of $10,0O0 per year for long time, and he had grown into the belief that he was fixture in the Great Northern serv- iri. But he went without arguing the estion with MT. Hill
 When James J. Hill was elected a d. rector of the Erie Railroad, A few months ago, there was trepidation among many of the employees of that company, for the report was passed from lip to lip that Northern Pacific methods were to be ap- piled to the affairs of the Erie. MT. Hill is economical as well exacting. He does not believe in having too many heads of departments, and he Is averse to hiring two men to perform duties that can be performed by one QUICK ana alert man. It is the quick and alert type of man that has the least to fear from this pushing, dominating and successful rail- road president
 'In order to preserve harmony and a prosperous railroad peace in the North western territory, MT. Hill secured large interest in the Northern Pa cific Railroad. which is the Great Northern's natural rival. An effort was made to combine these two properties under MT. Hill s management, but an adverse public sem timent and anti-consoldation statutes of the several States traversed by the two roads compelled speedy abandonment of this project. No public sentiment for laws, however. could prevent MT. Hill and his friends from becoming large stockholders in the Northern Pacific. and now it Is the common belief that should a buyer come to market with sufficient money to pay for the control of the Northern Pacific, he need negotiate with but two men viz, J. Pierpont Morgan and James J. Hill
 within the past few months interests allied with MT. Hill have bought largely of the stock of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. and there are indi- cations that In due time that prosperous system will be brought into closer rela- tionship with the Northern Pacif1c.''