The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-03
REACHING OUT.
Pennsylvania System Would Like to
Enter the Northwest.


Minneapolis Journal:
The reported intention of the Penn
~sylvania railway system to enter the
northwest either by extension OF the
purchase of one of the. independent
Chicago systems is given much Gre
dence in western railway circles. Since
the organization of the, Mort hern Sc
curities company and the attempt to
make James J. Hills consolidation
scheme effective, the new conditions
in the northwest have been the cause
of much concern to the officials of the
Pennsylvania. Reports have been in
circulation that the Pennsylvania was
making an effort to secure control of
the Chicago. Milwaukee & st. Paul,
and in case it was successful intended
to extend the Milwaukee to the coast.
These reports have grown stronger
within the past few weeks.
The freight traffic east and west
through the twin city gateway is a big
factor in freight business Of the trunk
lines. 1t is to be the policy of the
Hill roads to favor the Erie on all
business east of Chicago wherever pos
sible. Including the North Western
system . the Vanderbilt lines are in a
strong position in the territory west
of Chicago and the traffic alliance with
the Union Pacific finds them we'll en-
trenched on coast traffic. The Hill
consolidation has created new condi-
tions in the west and forces the big
trunk lines to making traffic connec-
lions that will not fail them or else
extend their lines. Railway presidents
predict an immense increase in north
western traffic within a few years.
The Pennsylvania, to strengthen it's
hold on western business, must make
a move in this direction. The Mil
waukee is practically an Independent
system and is in a position to accom-
plish all that the Pennsylvania desires.
During the past three weeks promi-
nent western railway men have pre-
dicted some big sensations as a result
of Northern Pacific Great Northern
Burlington merger. One Of these is
the expected control of the Milwaukee
by the Pennsylvania or a~ssclose alliance
between the systems. 1t is also given
out that the recent statement that the
Milwaukee would extend toward the
coast was not a ''bluff'' and thai
President Earring is preparing tc
spring a startling program Of exten.
sions the coming year.
1t is also stated that the Pennsyl.
vania system prefers to own a north
western system rather than depend
upon a traffic alliance. Big financial
deals have no S.terrorssfor the ..Pennsyl
vania. In two years it has spent vas
sums of money to strengthen its posi-
ton as n of the biggest carriers OF
the continent. 1t has purchased 50,
5000, 900 of Baltimore & Ohio stock
$12, 500, 900 of the Chesapeake & Ohio
$36, 600, 600 of the Norfolk & Western
Sc, 900, 600 of the Long Island, So, 600,
900 of the Western New York & Penn
sylvania, and So, 600, 900 of the Erie &
Western Transportation company. |
has bought the controlling interest il
two of the great steel companies in
Pennsylvania, purchased the Pocohan
tas mines, and made contracts TO
$50, 600, 900 equipment. The new tun
mel into New York city will cost $50,
900. 600. The Pennsylvania total ex
penditures for two years along tn
line of extensions and improvement
have amounted to 1920, 600, 600. 1t i
believed to be ready to add a big sur
to this to make it's position on coas
traffic and especially in the traffic Q
coast lumber secure by the control.%o
the Milwaukee.