The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-30
RAILROAD NEWS.
Illinois Central May Become
Ally of Gould Lines.
Friendly Relations Predicted
Should Fish Win.
WHAT 1T WOULD MEAN
Realignment Of Great Railway
Groups Would Result.
Other Items Of Interest in
Railway Circles.

It is understood that a realignrnen
| of great railroad interests is in the
| course of formation as result of the
Harriman-Fish controversy over con-
| troll of the Illinois Central railroad.
This is neither more nor less than an
alliance between the Gould railway
| systems and the Illinois Central, an
offensive and defensive agreement in
| the event that Stuyvesant Fish and
his associates gain victory over the
Union Pacific interests in the struggle
for control of the Illinois Central.
In St. Louis. the Gould stronghold,
Missouri Pacific and WABASH security
holders are using their influence to
induce Illinois Central stockholders
who have kept aloof from the contest
to support Mr.. Fish, on the argument
that the result would be friendly
connection with the Illinois Central
on the part of the Gould lines. which
would be a benefit to both systems.
In railroad circles in this city the
proposed alliance is creating a great
deal of discussion. but opinions vary
as to the advantages that would be
derived therefrom. The Gould rail-
way systems for several years have
been in a state of isolation, owing to
the antagonism of the Standard Oil
Union Pacffic-Pennsylvania railway
combination. This opposition has cost
the Gould lines vast sums or money.
more especially in the construction of
the Waba -Pittsburg Terminal en-
terprise and in the building Of the
Western Pacific.
It is also realized by Mr.. Fish and
his associates that if they can regain
control of the Illinois Central by pre-
venting the voting Of the Union Pa
cific holdings at the annual meeting
that system will also meet with an
tagonism on the part of the Union
Pacific combination.
It has been stated that the Illinois
Central system receives from the
Union and Southern Pacific systems
twice as much business as 1t returns
to them. Much~of this business would
probably be routed otherwise should
the Union Pacific lose its control or
the other line.
In that event an alliance between
the Gould lines and the Illinois Cen
trail might prove an element OF safety.
The Illinois Central would have the
advantage of a friendly connection
with atranscontinentalr road to the Pa
cifc-namely, the Western Pacific,
which is nearing completion.
In that event the most advantageous
points would be st. Louis, and perhaps
Omaha and Chicago on the otner
hand, however, 1t is pointed out that
the Illinois Central and Missouri Pa
cif1c systems are parallel lines be-
tween their most important points,
Chicago, st. Louis. Omaha and New
Orleans Furthermore the Missouri
racine COulQ by no iiieeiiiS Coiii
the Illinois Central with an amount OF
traffic equal to that lost from the
systems. And the Missouri
Pacific is also one of the chief sup
ports of the Wabash.
When Mr.. Fish last March entered |
the Missouri Pacific board it was I'M |
derstood that he had the idea of just |
such an alliance in view. He has since |
been made a member of the executive |
of the Missouri Pacific and |
his relations with the Gould interests |
are of the closest and friendliest-