The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-05-02
ROCK ISLAND MAY ACQUIRE
BRIDGE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI.
Continued From Page One.

Continued From Page One.
transfer Of Virgins stock. the Mercantile
Trust had released certain stockholders
from their obligation to sell at $500 q
share, and had raised the price. This was
emphatically denied by President Wade.
Mr Wade was not at the conference.
Messrs Mather and Low OF the Rock
Island attended, and the Mercantile was
also represented by Judge Jacob Klein.
Clinton Rowell and Charles E. Ralston.
For the Mississippi Valley. F. ". Lehman,
Charles Nagel George W. Easley, e. A.
FinkelnbuiE and Lon B. Hooker were pres-
ent John Scullin and Breckenridge Jones
came in after the conference had com
menced, and both left before It was over.
Attorneys on both sides stated that the
discussion behind closed doors was merely
for the purpose OF arranging dates for the
taking Of depositions. and settling other
small legal details" The dates were not
set, however. Another conference may be
held to-day.
That the Rock Island contemplates build
Ing a bridge across the Mississippi River is
not denied by the ofcials Of that corpora
ton. II is understood that they are nego-
tiating with Mayor NJ. NJ. stephens of East
St. Louis. former Congressman W. S. Fore
man. Henry Sexton and others who own the
frschise granted by Congress several years
ago. This franchise is known tho third
bridge"
The MuIlanphy street site for bridge is
considered admirable in connection with the
tracks owned by the Virgins ferry at that
point on both sides Of the river. Such a
bridge it is said would make the terminal
facilities complete.
among the original promoters of the
tnlrd-bridge franchise is Ben Gable. who
built one OF fhe first divisions of what is
now the great Rock Island system. He is
in close relationship with the interests of
the road.
A. ]. Tullach Of Kansas. also owns a part
of the bridge franchise. NJ. A. Low. gen.
eral counsel of the Rock Island. lives at
Topeka, and stated yesterday that both
Messrs. Cable and Tullach were well known
to him.
When asked II It were true that the Rock
Island proposed to take over the franchise
and build the Mulanphy street bridge, Mr..
Low declined to discuss the subject. Robert
Mather, the second vice president and gen.
eraI attorney, likewise smiled vaguely.
There is lots doing in our plans" said
Mr.. Mather. but we are saying very little
to say-aud do-as the public will see from
results
SAY OyERTURES FOR
FRANCHISE WERE MADE.
W. S. Forman said last night that he
knew of no negotiations of definite char
acter, but admitted that overtures had been
made from time to time. He preferred not
to state the nature of the overtures or from
whom they came.
That the Rock Island has approached the
owners OF tho bridge at Alton is known to
railway officials.
The Alton bridge is at present operated
by the Burlington system, but the terms o:
their contract with the owners, one of
whom is Edwards Whitaker, would not
render It impossible for the Rock Island, It
Is said. TO secure use Of the bridge Jointly
with the Burlington.
This would mean the extension Of tracks
along the river front a distance of about
FIVE miles, from East Grand avenue, at
which point the tracks Of the Virgins Fer
| ry Company stop.
If q new bridge is built at Mullanphy
street the only problem to solve will be the
elevation. the bridge grade. OF course. being