Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-08

w. & BROW y.
was made yesterday by an eastern
railroad official who is close to the
Vanderbilts and to the financial inter
csts on Wall street
1t is said that arrangements for the
change have been completed, and that
w H. Newman has expressed a desire
to retire from the presidency of these
roads and accept a position as chair
man of the boards. Senator Chauncey
NJ Depew is now chairman of the two
executive boards and. it is said. will
relinquish both positions. According
TO the plan. the position of chairman
will be more active one under Mr..
Newman. who will not have such Oner-
Gus duties as he now possesses as
president, but who will be an active
and constant adviser of Mr.. Brown.
Depends LeIyard.
Whether further changes in the
presidencies of the Vanderbilt lines
take place at the close of the year is
said to depend on President Ledyard,
of the Michigan Central, and Presi-
dent Ingalls,, of the Big -Four. Neither
Of these men will be forced to retire.
although it is the expressed wish of
the Vanderbilts to consolidate the
management of their railroads.
Preparatory TO the changes, which
will take place possibly earlier than
the first of the year, Mr.. Brown has
been ordered to change his headquar-
ters from Chicago to New York tie
went to the latter city this week, and
before leaving said he would move his
family TO New York III the spring. In
connection with the rumOred changes,
however, Mr.. Brown said:
OId-Time Diplomacy.
ut is true that have been ordered
20 New York permanently, but I did
not ask the reason. I am simply max
ing the change because | am instructed
o DO so. and if there is to be change
II my position | have had no intima-
ton of it
Mr. Brown was born in Herkimer
county. n Y. in 1858, and began his
railway service in 1869 by cording
wood for engines on a division OF the
St Paul road \ little later he be-
came a night operator and then train
dispatcher on the Rock Island & st.
louis division. His next rise was to
| he position of trainmaster and then
assistant superintendent.
In 1880 Mr.. Brown went to the Bur
ington. where ne quickly made rep
ltation as an operating official In
January, 1896. he became general man
ager of that company, and three years
ago was elected for the vice presidency
Of the Lake Sh)re Within year he
vas also made vice president of the
| New York Central.
Only Part of Deal.
The recent change in the control
of the Alton is now said 10 be the re-
suit of a far reaching deal between
he Moores and Hartman. The re-
ported acquisition of a controlling in
tersst in the Atchison by Hartman is
claimed 10 be one of the results of
that deal.
| The coo. 900 shares of Atchison stock
| purchased in one block for Hartman
are claimed TO have been held by the
| Moores. The fact that Hartman al
! lowed the Moores to secure nearly
all of the common stock of the Alton
without great opposition is taken as
an indication that Hartman was not
averse to their getting control OF the
road.
Report Is Officially Denied.
The report that Hartman agreed
o turn over the Houston & Texas
Central 10 the Rock Island is OFF
cially denied. The general attorney
Of the Rock Island yesterday stated
that his road is not trying TO secure
he control of the Houston & Texas
| Central The belief in railroad circles
| 5 that the compromise between the
Moore and Hartman interests means
and offensive and defensive alliance
! between their roads.
Fer the last two years the Moores
have been buying Atchison stock, with
a view of either acquiring control OF
| that property or TO get representation
On the board Of the company. Their