The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1901-11-28
TO BLOCK THf CONSOLIDATION
HILL AND HARTMAN NAY RETIRE
FROM NORTHERN PACIFIC
DII.ECT0RATE.
RfcFIvfRsHIP MAY Be ASKED
NEW YORK LAWYER DROPS 4
BOMB IN THE RANKS OF THR
TRUsTMAFSERs.

6t. Paul, NOV. 70. =" Gov. Van SAINT
yesterday sent out to the governors OF
North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and
Washington letters stating the facts so
far as he has ascertained them with re-
gard to the attempted consolidation OF
this Northern Pacific and Great North
egn railroads, and asking for their
opinion as to what action should be
undertakens
The governor declined to give out the
text OF the letter, and declined to
state anything more than its general
purrort, as given above. Should the
other governors be favorable to united
action. II is probable that a conference
will be called for an early date, and 1t
win very likely be held in ST. Paul. al
Though It is possible that It might be
called at Helena. since that is about
halfway between this city and Olym-
pia or Boise.
It Is not improbable that the consoi-
idation may first be attacked IN the
federal court. There are several ways
In which this could be done and 1t re-
naains for the attorney general to tn
yestigate and determine which Is the
most likely to be successful. The mode
of procedure win not be determined
until ample consideration has been
given the subject by the legal authori-
ties OF the state.
Hf11 May Retire From Northern Pa
ci1c Directorate.
A New York telegram says:
According to Wall street report,
believed 70 be based on good authori-
~, certain changes in the Northern
Pacific directorate are to he made In
view OF the agitation In Minnesota
against the joint operation, Of tina
!, Northern Pacific and Great Northera
railroads. Infiuential interests In the
organization Of the Northern Securities
company said that. while they believed
that the company's plans for controls
Ing the Northern Pacific and Great
Northern railroads could net be upset
through legal Proceedings. based on
allegations that they conf1icted with
anti-consoiidation laws of the different
states. some changes might be forced.
II was held by these interests that
there was a question rs to whether
President Fiji of the Great Northern
I railway, under, strict interpretation
OF the present law, had an unques-
toned right to be q member OF the
board of directors Of the Northern
PRcihc railroad. The same doubt ex.
listed as to the right OF e. III. Har1t-
man, chairman Of the Union Pacific,
to be member OF the Northern Pa
c!fic beard. 1t was asserted that II was
not impossible that both officers might
retire from the Northern Pacific
board"
Recefvership sfny BE Asked.
A specinl telegram from New York 30
the Minneapolis Times says:
Nothing has ever stirred. the finan-
cial depths of this city as the pub
nshed announcement that Gov. Van
SAINT would make strong stand
against the big railway merger In be-
half of the shippers and producers OF
the Northwest. Under the outward
calm Of Wall street there existed
greater alarm In the private offices Of
the giant trust managers than has
been felt there since the frightful stock
panic Of last May.
"A way was found at last by the en-
emies Of the Northern Securities to
sn1esia t4ie rsilroad trust Just organ
ized in the Northwest with so much
care. J. p. Morgan' gigantic strength
was put to the test yesterday to pre-
vert a break IT. stock prices.
Eminent counsel was consulted by
d banker Allied with one OF the big
syndicates. His LAWYER told him that
the Northern Securities s company
Yves absolutely impregnable.
".But' said the LAWYER, any citizen
of the State OF Minnesota may apply.
through the attorney general of his
state. 10 have receivers appointed for
the Great Northern and for the North
ern Pacific conranies on the ground
that their controlling stockholders have
entered into conspiracy to violate the
laws under which the roads are
chartered. Visible evidence Of this
conspiracy Is seen in the Northern Sc
curities compenv. A court of inquiry
we,1fd be forced TO act on such prop
osftion. Receivers would take charge
or the property of the two roads and
manage for the benefit of stockholders.
The citizen reel rot be stockholder.'
.eThis opinion fell like a bomb in the
camp of the trustmakers."