Milford chronicle., 1901-05-10
JAMES ]. HILL.
The Greatest Railroad AutOcrat Since
Commodore Vanderbilt,

The Greatest Railroad AutOcPat Since
Commodore Vanderbilt.
mo man has taken a more earnest part
IN developing the community of interest
idea than James J. Hill, president Of the
Great Northern railroad and director in
several other railroad corporations" say
Earl ID. Berry in Ainslee's. "AIr. Hill is
a man of energy and quick decision, and
once he makes up his mind that a thing
Is desirable to do he proceeds to do it
with all his might
/ The community Of interest idea Is
growing in favor he said not long ago
small lines Of railroad, with few excep
tons, are not likely to grow all by them
selves, so it is much better for them to
Join interests with strong lines. 1t is not
necessary that the roads should consoli-
date, although in many instances a more
economical administration could undoubt.
eddy be obtained by such a course. The
time is coming when the community of
interest will be so perfected that small
lines Of road will be cut off from connect
ing traffic so as to make an Independent
policy on their part Improbable.
Mr.. Hill is the autocrat Of the Great
Northern railroad. Since Commodore
Nanderbilt's time there has not been so
complete an instance Of one man power
at the head Of great railroad system as
Is presented in the case Of President Hill.
He evolves policies and executes them,
his directors bowling to his will with dig
nihed but unanimous docility. 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 subOrdi-
mates.
Zone day Mr.. Hill walked into the Of
fee Of a high official Of the Great North
en railroad in st. Paul and brusquely an
nounced:
Mr.. -, do not think that YOU and
myself are well mated. Your successor
will report for duty tomorrow
"This high official had been drawing a
salary of $4,000 per year for long
time, and he had grown into the heller
that he was a fixture in the Great North
ern service. But he went without argu
ing the question with Mr.. Hill.
when James ]. Hill was elected a di-
rector Of the Erie railroad a few months
ago, there was trepidation among manv
"a 1AiN SAABAOJ eEs VI ludL company, Tor the
report was passed from lip to lin that
Great Northern methods were to be aD-
piled to the affairs Of the Erie. Mr.. Hill
Is economical as well as exacting. He
does not believe in having too many heads
OF departments, and he Is avOrse to hiring
two men to perform duties that can be
performed by one quick and alert man.
It is the quick and alert type Of man
that has the least fear from this pushing
dominating and successful railroad presi-
dent.
I'm order to preserve harmony and a
prosperous railroad peace in the north
western territory, Mr.. Hill secured a
large interest in the Northern Pacific rail-
road, which is the Great Northern's natu-
raj rival An effort was made to combine
these two properties under Mr.. HilPs
management, but an adverse public senti-
ment and anticonsOlidation statutes Of
the several states traversed by the two
roads compelled speedy abandonment
OF this project. No public sentiment nor