The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-29
RAILROAD NEWS.
Harriman's Recent Move Starts
Few More.
Communities of Interests Plan
ming New Comps.
CONFRONTS OBSTACLES
All Is Not Smooth Sailing for
Master of Union Pacific.
Gossip and Matters Of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

new i Olk, sept 1C.---<11ACI ltAC 81
nouncement was made that Hartman
had practically acquired the Baltimore
& Ohio system and had almost realized
a transcontinentaI railroad, the COM
munity of interests which dominate
the Union Pacific and the principal
eastern lines was represented at an in
vestigation session in this city. The
Union Pacific, the New York Central.
the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore &
Ohio were participants in the meeting,
which was attended by four railroad
officials and opponents of high finance.
An agreement has been in existence
for some time that none of the big
eastern lines should encroach on the
territory beyond St. Louis and Chicago.
The understanding had not been trans
cended by any of these lines but Har-
riman, who belongs to the community
of interests, had originated the unex-
pected enterprise of extending a west
ern line, the Union Pacific, across the
Mississippi river and through the ter
ritory of the eastern roads to the Al
lantic coast
The conference had two objects. The
first was to ascertain why Hartman
had invaded the east. The second was
to define a policy in regard to traf1c
from the east to points west of st.
Louis and Chicago. Finally, the con-
ferees settled pending difficulties by an
understanding that through traffic
should go via the Baltimore & Ohio
system. This, in the circumstances,
seemed to be the most logical arrange
ment although an impression prevails
that it is only temporary.
It seems to be a certainty now that
Hartmann initiative will result IN the
forming of at least one more trans
continental railroad, and probably two
or three. 1t is pointed out that the
Erie could be converted into profit
able property by linking 1t with the
Santa Fe or some other western road,
and by attaching to 1t the TOLEDO, -.
Louis & Western, SO as to provide the
line with an entrance TO St LOUIS
There appears to be activity toward re-
organizing the Erie in some such man
ner as this and in adjusting the afIa1rS
of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton
and the Pere Marquette.
Prominent financiers expect to see
at least one more transconunental
line The community OF interests is
expected to utilize one OF its strong
western lines to launch new IMAM
cial deal of magnitude, and ultimately
to extend at least one of its great
eastern systems beyond the Mlssls-
sippi river to the Pacific coast.
According to trustworthy gossip
among fnanciers, not the best feeling
prevails between the Hartman and
/ the Rock Island interests. 1t is stated
that while the Rock Island is willing
/ to dispose OF us COHlIOt III ltAC (-AANcSo
/ & Alton, it will demand a very high
! consideration for its holdings. Harri-
man did not accept the proposals
which the Rock Island made some
time ago, and it is believed that the
Rock Island will now make more rig
orous demands.
Without the Alton, Hartman S
/ transcontinental line will not be com
plete There is a break between st.
Louis and Kansas City, and between
! Chicago and Omaha. The Rock Is
land is expected, therefore, to be any
thing but liberal toward Hartman.
In accordance with the contract be-
tween the Rock Island, which holds
the controlling stock. and the Union
Pacific, which is the minority stock
holder, the two systems alternate, year
! by year. in having a majority on the
/ board, and in the executive committee
of the Alton. Hartman dominates the
Alton now; but, after the annual
meeting next month, the Rock Is
land will have a majority on the
board, and in the executive committee
Hartman probably will offer a pro-
posal to the Rock Island before the
Atoms annual meeting next month
It is said that if he fails to meet the
Rock Islands terms, the Rock Island
will not only assume control of the
board and the executive commit
but will put a high official of the Rock
Island, or the Frisco In charge of til
! Alton