Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-22
AFTER ROCKISLAND
Hartman interests Said to Have
Acquired Control of
the Road.
BIG CHANGES NOW LOOKED FOR
Transfer of Moore, Leeds and Reid
Holdings Involved
Notes.

In we'll informed railway circles
yesterday it was asserted with con-
siderable positiveness that the Har-
riman interests had secured control
of the Rock Island by a purchase of
the Moore, Leeds and Reid holdings,
says today's Chicago Record-Herald.
The Tumor came from sources
which leave no doubt that great
changes will take place in the west
crn railway world within ninety days.
1t is said that after having parted
with their Rock Island holdings at a
profit of nearly $50 a share the
MoOres began acquiring Northwest
ern stock with a view of acquiring
control and later selling at profit.
as they are credited with having done
with the Rock Island.
Rumor strengthened.
There is no one i'm Chicago connect.
ed with either the Rock Island or
Hartman interests who is in a posi-
ton To confirm or deny the rumor,
which has received wide credit. Color
is lent to the rumor by the fact that
announcement is about to be made
that the Rock Island and Southern
Pacific have entered into long term
agreement whereby the former will
be able to operate solid trains be-
tween Chicago and Los Angeles by
the way of III Paso. The agreement
provides that Southern Pacific crews
and engines shall be used from I'll
Paso.
This announcement precludes the
possibility of the Rock Island extend
ings its lines from I'll Paso to the Pa
cific coast, which il was certainly
contemplating doing. and removes
from the southwestern field a danger
Gus competitor. Whatever truth
there is in the story of the purchase
il is conceded that. the Rock Island
fits in nicely with the Union Pacific
and Southern Pacific properties, and
would enable the Hartman and Santa |
Fc interests to continue i'm absolute
control of the western and southwest !
ern situation from the Missouri river
To the coast.
Secure Good Route.
Furthermore. il would give the Har-
riman interests an ideal summer |
route to California and an ideal win |
ter route and enable them to control |
absolutely the routing of all trans !
freight by continuation /
IF the present agreement with the /
santa Fe. The latter line would not
De hurt by the acquisition of the road /
~ the Hartman people. as the Rock /
Island out of the Hartman fold is II
greater menace 10 the Santa Fe than
Il would he i'm the fold.
The Moores have been credited /
with holding S25.OOO.OOO worth of /
Rock Island stock which is said to |
have cost them on an average of $135.
According to the rumor of the sale
hey are credited with having realized /
between SS.OOO.OOO and $4,000. 900 ON
heir purchase. The Reid and Leeds
interests, which, together with the
Noores' stock. gave control of the
road. are said To have been also sold
10 the Hartman interests.
Is Believed in Wall Street.
New York, March 2S.-While official
of the report that the
Hartman interests have secured CON
roI of the Rock Island is lacking, the
assertion that the deal has taken
place is believed by men well inform
ii regarding Wall street affairs. The
export finds ready credence because
IF the activity of the Moores of late
md of activity in the stock. 1t is
common belief that efforts to secure
he Moore. Leeds and Reid holdings
nave had much to do with recent fluc-
uations. and the announcement that
he transfers have been made does