New-York tribune., 1907-11-13
HARAHAN MAKES REPLY
CALLS FISH HARD NAME.
Circular to Illinois Central Stock
holders Sent Ont by President.

a circular letter has been mailed to the stock
holders Of the Illinois Central Railroad by ]. T.
Harahan, president of the company 1t is re-
garded a reply to statements made by
Stuyvesant Fish in his efforts to obtain the
election of his candidates directors. and in it
Mr.. Harahan says Mr.. Fish has made untruth-
full statements and knew he far from the
facts when he made them. The tone of the cir
cular is not calculated to cause a cessation Of
hostilities Mr.. Harahan seems to take the
ground that the is between the directors and
Mr.. Fish. and that as a business proposition the
stockholders will profit more by sending their
proxies to him than to Mr.. Fish
The circular says the traffic interchange with
the Union Pacific and the Southern Pacific is
more beneficial TO the Illinois Central than it Is
to the other lines. The Illinois Central, tho
circular says built into Omaha by Mr.. Fish
10 get part of the interchange business of the
Union Pacific and because of the relations now
existing and made by Mr.. Fish the Illinois
Central secures q good share Of the traffic. Tho
Union Pacific has several outlets eastbound
from Omaha, and need not give pound Of
freight to the Illinois Central, while the Illinois
Central has no Western connection except the
Union Pacific at Omaha. severance of close
traffic relations would result in a reduced reve-
nue. for the Illinois Central the circular says.
The interchange at New Orleans IS almost a
parallel case. NorthbOund the Southern Pacific
can give its through business 10 two other
through lines and leave the Illinois Central with
only its own business. while the Illinois Central
would be compelled 10 give the Southern Pacific
the through Western business It takes into New
Orleans without a corresponding return. At
that, AIr Harahan makes the direct statement
that the business received from the Union Pa
cifc and the Southern Pacific Is much greater
than that given both lines by the Illinois Cen
traI.
In speaking Of the varied commodities that the
Illinois Central transports and IT'S diversified
destinations Mr. Harahan makes the claim that
It would be impossible for the officers OF the
Illinois Central TO make any traffic alliances
with any line which would divert this originat-
ing traffic from the natural channels The rec
ords OF the interchange with the Union Pacific
and the Southern Pacific show that they gave
the Illinois Central 46 per cent more business
than they received in the last six years.
The circular dwells upon Mr. Fish's question
ing of the June net earnings. Mr.. Harahan
attempts to show that large sum was charged
TO expenses TO clear up outstanding matters. and
that because of better handling IN the succeeding
year each month bore its proportonate share
of expenses. leaving big Increase for June.
1907, as against June. 1906 but an increase that
was earned and properly accounted for. Mr..
Harahan seems 10 take very seriously tho re-
fiections of Mr.. Fish upon the accounting off,
GERS and their methods. and makes it appear
that Mr.. Fish is criticsing. without warrant
or reason. men in whom he hitherto has had the
greatest confidence. and methods which We're
stamped with his approval Mr.. Harahan in
sists that men and methods are not changed, and
that Mr Fish's charges arc deliberate misstate-
ments.