New-York tribune., 1901-01-05

Emphatically the leading feature Of yesterdays
stock market ST. Paul, which, opening at las,
advanced slowly in the first hour 1863 and there
AFTER moved swiftly up to I5sts at the close. net
gain for the day of 12A points. Since December
10. when the movement in the stock began, It has
had total advance OF nearly "a points. It's progress
yesterday accompanied by various rumors OF
impending changes OF the utmost Importance TO the
road although no statement or expression of opin-
ion could be obtained from any interest prominently
identified with the company. All the reports agreed
that the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific
TO control the st. Paul. but there were wide
differences in regard TO the method of control, and
also 20 the interests associated with Mr.. Hill IN
carrying through the operation.
From Philadelphia came story that ]. Pierpont
Morgan had acquired the Smth-Mitchcll and Mar
shall Field holdings OF ST. Paul for himself and his
friends, and that Great Northern and Northern
Pacific would take ST. Paul and pay
z per cent. with immediate division OF the sur
plus 10 ST. Paul stockholders. Another rumOr
that William Rockefeller, Norman b. Ream
and Il. III. Hartman were associated with MessFs.
Hill and Morgan In acquiring the st. Paul road in
the Joint interest of the Great Northern and North
ern Pacific, which companies would then lease the
ST. Paul dividend guarantee of per cent for
two years and per cent for the rest OF the life OF
the lease. and that the Wabash and the Erie were
TO be united with the st. Paul and the Northern
Pacific in q great line from ocean 10 ocean, with
Mr. Hill chairman of the Board Of Directors OF
each of the companies. This rumor OF n transcon-
tinental route has been characterized by Mr., Hill
two or three times within the last few weeks as
absurd and ridiculous.
Whatever the exact nature of the arrangement in
contemplation for the ST. Paul Road. however. 1t
is regarded by the best informed men in Wall
Street assured that the 81. Paul is 70 come
within the influence OF the community of owner
ship" principle. as that principle is developing in
the Northwest. Only few weeks ago It became
definitely known that Mr.. Hill, John S. Kennedy
of this city, and Lord Strathcona, who had been
the largest individual stockholders Of Great North
ern had come TO occupy similar position in
Northern Pacific; their influence and that of their
business allies being in the aggregate so potent
as TO make certain the harmonious operation
henceforth of these parallel lines of rail-
way, not very long ago bitter and determined
competitors.
The Chicago. Milwaukee and st. Paul has in the
States OF Minnesota North Dakota and South
Dakota network of lines interlacing with the
fact which would make It's possession valuable TO
them. 20 speak of the more important fact that
have direct outlet to Chicago. The ST. Paul road
has outstanding n NIliseOo Of common stock and
stock. Its common stock now pays per cent
President Williams of the Chemical National
Bank said as & that hsd ssee s eo was s
that bank, but that. the deposit might have been
iIe Hill was Closely idented An unsTccessfui effort
made last night TO see an officer of the latter
institution.
Milwaukee Jan. 4-"The Evening Wisconsin to-
day says that it is learned through railroad and
financial sources that IL cannot be questioned that
there is foundation for the rumors of a lease
of the Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul Railroad
TO the Northern Pacific and Great Northern than
the persons interested care TO acknowledge. In
this connection, Chairman Roswell Mer's qualify
ing statement, mo lease has been made
yet" is regarded as significant. According to
1.-THE Wsconsn's" authority, John ID. Rockefeller
and James j. Hill working together TO bring
about the change. Mr.. Rockefeller, who recently
owned 100 600 shares of Milwaukee preferred. is
said to be very large holder in the Northern Pa
ciic and presumably, Great Northern also. The
army of smaller holders of Milwaukee stock are it
is sa i'd gradually being quietly posted to the
real meaning of the deal, and they will, ii is be-
lieved combine 70 resist II,