Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-10
GOULD lNSPECTS HIS LINES
Looks Over Properties Of Missouri Pacific
Around Omaha.
DECLINES TO TALK ABOUT MERGERS
Rockefeller Deals and Union Pacific
strike Totally Ignored by Rail-
road MaEnRte During His
Brief stay Here.

George J. Gould, president of the Missouri
Pacific and head Of the great southwest
system Of railroads, was in Omaha for two
hours yesterday. He came in from Denver on
his return from a tour of inspection Of his
properties and was accompanied by Presi-
dent Jeffrey Of the Denver & Rio Grande,
In whose private car, valley Clare" the
trip was made; Third Vice President and
General Manager Harding OF the Missouri
Pacific and Superintendent Baxter Of the
Union Pacific. The party was met here by
President Burt, General Manager Dickinson
Of the Union Pacific; Assistant General
Freight and Passenger Agent Phillippi.
General superintendent Hardy and Super
intendent Rathburn OF the Missouri Pacific.
The three last named gentlemen left with
Mr.. Gould for the southwest.
Atlanta" Jay Gould's old private car,
and another private car belonging to the
Missouri Pacific, we're composed in the
special train, which was drawn into Omaha
by engine No. 1850 OF the Union Pacific,
which was dispatched specially from Omaha.
Merely 20 inspect.
Mr.. Gould made an inspection of the Mis-
souri, Paoihc's yards and genera properties
while here, as he has been doing at all
points visited along the lines. His visit
was bhlu " NC lI lulo IA NJ hho
purpose. He could not be drawn into an
interview with reference to the reported
deals which the Gould system and the
Rockefellers are said &c be negotiating,
whereby these two great railroad systems
are to be amalgamated. II had been re-
ported that incidental to his tour Of in
spection of his lines, Mr.. Gould would look
over the Rockefeller properties while out
west, with a view Of the alleged merger,
but this was denied and the fact that the
party went directly from here to Kansas
City, whence 1t was said they would pro-
coed eastwar and homeward, was sug-
gested as proof that a trip further west
ward was not contemplated.
The brevity of his stop in Omaha rem
dered Mr.. Gould practically inaccessible to
reporters even for a statement as to any
plans of Improvement or betterment which
might follow as a result OF this general
tour.
Nothing 20 Do with Strike.
The story which was trumped up some
days ago that President Gould would come
to Omaha in anticipation OF settling the
Union Pacific strike created some amuse-
ment among the ~oficials. The best answe
to queries as to this proposition that could
be obtained was a broad smile from the
magnates. Mr.. Gould was in conversation
with President Burt and General Manager
Dickinson both for some few minutes, but
It was said that the strike was not a sub.
ject OF the conversation.
Judge Kelly, general solicitor of tn,
Union Pacific, who has Just returned from
a prolonged Official trip east, when asked I
President Gould's visit had any reference
whatever to the strike, said: None In tn
least. Mr.. Gould's mission is entirely
different one. He probably has not though
Of this strike AFFAIR"
John N. Baldwin, general counsel for tn
Nebraska division, took a similar view
Laughingly he said when asked about tn
matter: 81 presume Mr.. Gould has trouble
Of his own and is not looking for any NOR
Of this kind. It's just some foolish gossi
idea that he came out here to settle thi
strike. It's absurd to think Of that"
A vain effort was made to communicat
with General Manager Dickinson upon tn
subject, and President Burt. although no
asked for a statement, commanded two re