The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-12
RAILROAD NEWS.
George Gould Discusses General
Expansion Of Railroads.
Says Corporations Are Using
Good Judgment.
GIVES INTERVIEWS.
Denies Connection With Coos
Bay Project.
Other Railroad News OF Local
and General Interest.

For the last two weeks, the west has
entertained in a manner George J.
Gould, president OF the great railroad
systems of that name In that he has
made a tour Of inspection of his lines
west Of the Missouri, and while he has
not remained long in one plce. the coun-
try has become fairly well acquainted
with him a. a result Of the newspaper
interviews which he has Eraciously
granted.
In Denver he took occasion to discuss
the enormous advances which American
railroads OF this present day are max
ing, saying:
Railroads are being constantly Inn
proved, and more attention is being
paid to improvements than ever before
in history. Every railroad in the coun-
physical perfection. Heavier steel Is
going down, the roadbeds are being i'm
proved, larger and stronger bridges are
being built, larger and more powerful
engines secured, cars are improved
verything that can be done to make
the roads better is being done.
This is not only true of our own
roads, but of all roads. The reason for
this is manifold; the public demands 1t
and business demands it. Instead of
turning every cent into dividends, more
money Is being spent to improve the
property. This Is good, sound business,
200. The property increases correspond
tngly in value with the money that is
put in. When we are through with
Strengthening curves and reducing
grades on the Rio Grande system the
property will be that much more valu-
able. There are more and heavier en-
g1nes to be put on the road and with
the betterments this means that heavier
trains can be carried.
1.-The American railroad is now reach
ing a. high state of perfection. This is
being constantly reduced and I look for
even more reductions in time as the
roads are improved and higher grade
M n ofnaS nrOduCldh
The most interesting words spoken by
Mr.. Gould for this section of the coun-
try were his practical denial of the plan
to- extend the Central Branch from
Lenora to Denver. While he did not say
that 1t would never be done, his air L.
that OF one who understands what Is
going on. and this project is evidently
not one SO far decided upon favorably
by him. While at Salt Lake City Mr..
Gould threw cold water on a number
OF talked-of projects, these being as fol-
lows: There will be no new shops; the
cutoff from Salina to Green river viii.
not be built George J. Gould is not
fathering the Coos bay plan, and the
interests which he represents are not in
terested in the Moffatt enterprise nor in
the Clark project in any financial way.
Mr.. Gould's visit has set at rest, for
time at least, the wild rumors regard
ing the extensions and absorptions of
the railroad map Of the entire inter-
mountain country. He has brushed
away some mysteries and deepened
Others. Now, more than ever, there is
a question regarding the power behind
the Coos bay enterprise. He also re-
1terated his denial regarding the Salina
cuton, but admitted the extension may
be undertaken when conditions war
rant If road from the coast pene-
cates the country he may make the eX-
tension and meet it.
One thing upon which no one was
able to draw an expression from George
Gould was the strongly rumored alli-
ance for traffic interests between the