Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-25
ANOTHER MERGER.
James J. Hill Reported About to
Consolidate Burlington and
Great Northern.
HAS CONTROL OF BOTH LINES
President Harris Said tn be Slated
To Go to the Kansas City
Southern.

According to a report now in cir
culation, two great railroads, the Chi
cago, Burlington & Quincy and the
Great Northern, are about to
be consolidated by James J. Hill,
who holds the controlling interest in
both roads. Samuel Hill. son Of rhe
magnate, is to be place in complete
charge of the two roads, which viii
have general offices in Chicago.
The passenger and freight offices
throughout the United states. Canada.
Mexico and Europe will also be con
sOlidated. and it is rumored that the
heads OF many of those holding high
positions with the two big roads will
fall in the merger.
1t has already been practically set
tied that George Il. Harris. president
of the Burlington. is to resign almost
Immediately to accept the presidency
of the Kansas City Southern and as
sumo the management of the immense
railroad interests Of john w. Gates.
No Time stated.
Just when the consolidation of the
immense railroad properties takes
that as soon as Mr.. Harris drops the
presidential reins of the Chicago. Bur
place is not given. but it is reported
| lington q Quincy the consolidation
will take place.
Mr.. Harris has been in the service
of the Burlington for b years He
began the business as an office boy.
Mr.. Hill believes that in consolidating
the two roads q great annual expense
| in salaries and Office rent and in
many other departments may be
saved. The magnate has ever illustrat-
ed the tinanciers' axiom, cons olida-
ton" and the latest contemplated
move. the merging of the two great
railroads, will be one of the most inn
portant railroad deals in years if it
materializes.
or Interest to Travellers.
Local travelling men and others who
do Il great deal of travelling will be
interested in the interchangeable mile
age system which is being inaugura-
ted on the greater part of the rail
roads being operated in this country.
The rate war which has created 50
much disturbance i'm railroad circles
has had little effect on this part of
the country, but the settlement of the
difficulty by the establishment of a
uniform and interchangeable BILE mileage
system will work a material differ
cnce with travellers all over the coun-
! try.
The Chicago & Northwestern, Hi
nos Central, Minneapolis x Oma-
ha. Milwaukee 4 ST. Paul and
the Burlington roads have Civ
en- notice that Sept. 1. or as soon
thereafter possible. they will
adopt an interchangeable mileage
ticket.
The controversy over the inter
changeable mileage, il is well known.
is the outgrowth Of differences he
tween the Rock Island ami its prin-
cipal competitors over the franscon-
tinental lines. The trouble has
spread until now it involves every
railroad of Importance in the west
Unless all signs fail. the adoption If
an interchangeable mileage ticket
good on trains of n number Of the
competitors of the Rock Island Sys-
TEN and it's allies. will he the signal
for the most extensive and expensive
rate war ever known in the west. II
Will begin with passenger rates, but
i'm all probability viii speedily spread
To all freight traffic.
Cuts that VIII lie Made.
When the mileage question was dis
tusSed two weeks ago by the lines in
1.-THE bureau of the Western associa-
ton the Rock Island gave notice that
) if any combination of its competitors
adopted an interchangeable mileage
ticket GOOD on trains the Rock Isl