Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-06
GUESSING ABOUT STICKNEY
Railroad Men Suspect that Great Western
Road il for Sale.
DIRECTORS NOW IN ANNUAL SESSION
Western Roads Facing Serious Prob
lem in Matter of Transportation
Vast Grain CrOp-WabRsh
Has Prosperous Month

The annual meeting OF the directors Of
the Chicago Great Western was held yes
terday in Chicago. More vital interests
than have been considered at any meeting
Of the Stickney directorate in recent years,
1t is said, came before this meeting. Mat
tiers OF future policy were to be acted upon
and In this connection it was reported
that President Stickney's oft-reported pur-
pose of selling the road may come In for
serious consideration. 1t is no unpopular
belief among railroad men that, despite
the somewhat aggressive extension policy
on which the Great Western has recently
launched, its sagacious executive still has
his eye upon a prospective purchaser, and
1t is held In some quarters that the build
Ing OF the Fort Dodge & Omaha extension
is really a part Of the plan to place the
road on the market to be sold to the high
est bidder. The recent precipitation Of
freight rates on packing products. which
created a real sensation in the transporta-
tion world Of the west, is pointed to as
another element OF this scheme
A day OF two ago, just In time to give
free and unrestricted circulation to the
story before the meeting was held, Il was
given cut that the annual report to be
presented by President stickney to this
hAC1NAAB VI NAC HOhA0 6hOh q
most fattering condition Of affairs. It
was said this report would show that the
road had enjoyed a year of most remark
able success, which gave It an excellent
chance for the new year. Notwithstanding
this statement, however. this earnings for
the month OF August of the Great Western
show q decrease Of $50, sos in gross and
$62.SS2 in the. net income as compared
with the corresponding month last year.
of Crop Movement.
All the western roads, especially the
Omaha Chicago lines, are facing a serious
problem in the matter OF transporting the
vast grain crop. An oficial Of one OF these
lines is authority for the statement that
every road will be taxed to its utmost to
accommodate the trade It will be called
upon to accept. He believes that the strain
will prove the greatest OF recent years, but
is not p~essimistic as to the ability Of the
words, he believes they will be able to get
the grain to market in good shape.
For some time the roads have been pre-
pairing for this increased %trafic." he said.
"All the extra cars and engines and other
facilities that can be mustered into service
have been placed where they can be drafted
when the time comes and Il is doubtful II
all the roads have as yet proven their
ability to command all the cars necessary,
but / believe this will be done in time and
that no actual dearth OF cars will be ex-
perienced or at least no dearth serious
enough to keep the grain away from market
when il should be transported"
Complaints Against Rate Reduction
There is still considerable dissatisfaetioI
among the freight snen over the grain
rates. Many are complaining that they are
too low end efforts have been made 70 raiss
them. but thus far without avail. The bear
ish influence Of James J. Hill Is being fell
In the most sensitive manner. and many
railroaders OF the central west who will b