The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-18
This Inference Drawn From
Remarks He Makes in Chi
cago-GreatN Northern Pres
ident Says the Erie Has No
Connection With the North
ern Roads and That He Is
Not Seeking an Eastern
Outlet.
Special to The Globe.

Special to The Globe.
CHICAGO, Jan. Thames j. Hill is
practically out of the Erie and what
ever changes that property may under
go in the immediate future will be of
little concern to him. This fact de-
veloped today when Mr.. Hill passed
through Chicago on his way to New
York to arrange some matters pre-
paratory to trip to Europe for rest.
Mr.. Hill did not say in so many
words that he had parted with the
greater portion of his Erie holdings.
but his talk left no doubt that such is
the fact. When asked if there was any
truth in the alleged new community of
interests between Erie, the Northern
lines and possibly the Rock Island, Mr..
Hill replied:
believe the Erie is in good hands
and l trust the newspapers viii not
Wrest the property from it's present
control. You can say. however. thar
the Erie has no more connection nor
relation with the Northern lines than a
road that has never been built and it
IS not likely to have any more interest
than that. Regarding the Erie and the
Rock Island or any Western system l
am as ignorant as yourself
Not After an Eastern Outlet.
Il am not looking for an Eastern
outlet for the Northern Pacific and
Great Northern roads. l am also un-
aware whether there are any deals
on affecting the Erie property
rs there any significance in your
proposed visit to Europe?" Mr.. Hill
was asked.
None, except the desire to gain a
much needed rest. L am going Just as
soon as can arrange my affairs so
as to be away for several weeks.
shall come home from New York. how
ever, before going to the old country
Mr.. Hill left on the Twentieth Cen
tury limited train on the Lake Shore
and did not have his private car with
him. Accompanying him were Vice
President j. w. Blabon of the Great
Northern, and President j. d. Farrell.
Of the Pacific Coast Steamship COM
pany. Mr.. Hill stated that there was
no significance in the company he was
in and that the meeting between Mr..
Farrell and himself was entirely acci-
dental
Mr.. Hills statement that the future
of the Erie did not concern him gives
the impression that the Western con-
tingent which has recently acquired
an interest in the road secured a por-
ton of Mr.. Hills holdings.
AS to N. 3. Ream.
Regarding the significance of the en-
try of the men represented by Norman
B. Ream, the Northern magnate re-
fused to express an opinion. 1t is.
however, understood that the Western
man began securing a foothold in the
Erie some five months ago, which is
about the time Mr.. Hill is said to have
parted with his Erie holdings. The lat
ter were acquired by Mr.. Hill not with
view to forming an Eastern connec-
ton for his Northern lines, but because
men who were interested with him de-
sired to have him get a financial con-
hectiOn with the Erie.
Their reasons for this no longer ex-
ist and now Mr.. Morgan controls the
property absolutely and will before
long, 1t is said, turn the control over to
interests which are seeking it, 1t is
we'll known that Mr.. Hill believes it
would be folly under the present con-
ditions of traffic for any Western sys-
tenn to tie up exclusively with any
Eastern line. The elimination Of the
Hill factor from the Erie, however,
adds very greatly to the interest which
will be felt in the plans which Mr.. MGR
gan may have for the future Of that
property.