Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-13
Mr.. FISH WITH GOULD
Chosen a Director in Missouri
Pacific System.
THE HARTMAN SYSTEMS
Depesed From Presidency of Illinois
Central, Annexed by Rival.
NEW ROAD TO WEST COAST
Missouri Pacific Operates to Salt Lake
and Western Pacific Building
to San Francisco.
NEW ROAD TO WEST COAST


who was deposed by E. H. Hartman from
the presidency of the Illinois Central. was
chosen yesterday to be a director of the
Missouri Pacific, the most important OF
the Gould roads and one of the keenest
competitors of the Union Pacific and South
ern Pacific. His election is to be followed
by his appointment to the executive COM
mittee, and it is the understanding between
Mr.. Fish and George J. Gould, the presi-
dent of the company. that Mr. Fish is to
take an active part in the affairs of the
road.
Naturally, the first inference from the an
nouncement was that Mr.. Fish's associa-
ton with Mr. Gould meant the Inauguration
OF a period Of even greater hostility be-
tween the Gould and Hartman systems in
the railroad business west of the Misss-
sippi President E. T. Jeffrey of the West
ern Pacific. testified before the interstate
commerce commission that the construction
of that road would not have been under
taken but for determinations against the
Gould roads by the Hartman lines, and
letters exchanged between Mr.. Gould and
Mr.. Hartman and read before the COM
mission showed the intensity of the an
tagonism at the time the Gould repre-
sentatives resigned from the Hartman
lines and the Hartman representatives
from the Gould lines. Mr.. Harriman's at
Mr.. Fish was not taken to indicate an
ardent friendship.
Western Pacific.
On the other hand, 1t is known that Gould
and Hartman engineers not long ago
reached an agreement on rights of way
for the Western Pacific and that mutual
concessions have been made by subordi-
mates of the rival systems These had
indicated to the street either a lessening of
the antagonism or conviction on Mr.
Hartman part that further opposition to
the construction OF the Western Pacific
was futile From either inference the con-
ciusion seemed justified that the rivals
were approaching an understanding.
Mr. Fish would say nothing regarding the
import of his election. He did not care to
discuss his new relationship in any way
he said, but must leave that entirely to
the Missouri Pacific people. Mr.. Gould
though talking freely on other points, gave
a rather noncommittal answer to ques-
ton bearing on the effect of the Fish cleo
ton on the competition with Mr.. Hartman
Mr.. Fish's entrance into the Missouri
Pacific board" he said Sin no way alters
the situation. The general policy of the
company will continue much the same. I
nave never been interested in the Illinois
Central. and the differences between Mr.
Fish and Mr.. Hartman in that company
have no bearing on the affairs of the Mis-
souri, Pacific"
3
explain. was due. first, to a long-standng
friendship between them and, secondly, to
his appreciation of Mr.. Fishs ability as a
railroad manager.
Fish and Gould Friends.
"Mr. Fish and I have long been warm
friends" he said. land my father and Mr..
Fish were also close friends. Ever since
Mr.. Fish has been disengaged 1 have hoped
that he would accept a place on the Mis-
souri, Pacific. I knew him as man of high
ability and standing as a financier and
railroad manager and of wide experience
In railroad affairs, and for these reasons
asked him to accept position on the
board"
The Missouri Pacific operates 1892 miles
of track connecting, together with less
important points. Ell Paso, Galveston, St.
Salt Lake City. 1t is from Salt Lake City
that the route of the Western Pacific runs
to San Francisco. In addition to its bust
ness from ST. Louis west the system taps
the southwest. With this part of Its af-
fairs Mr.. Fish is quite familiar, on ac-
count of his long term of office in the nli-
nois Central
Mr.. Fish's connection with the system"
said very prominent banker, Ought to
be advantageous to 1t. He is a hard worker
and his proved ability and long experience
In railroad management will undoubtedly
make IL easy LOT MIN TO become acquainted
with the needs of the system. He is a
man who always applies himself energetic
ally to the work at hand, and look to him
to take prominent part in the roads
affairs"
State of Missouri Pacific.
Mr.. Gould, when asked about reports
that the Missouri Pacific would reduce its
dividend rate of per cent, said that the
stocks market quotations never had rep
resented intrinsic values, and least Of all
times did so now.
II know the stock Is selling at 70 or a."
he said. "but l haven't any for SALE 1
wouldn't sell mine for 100 or even $50.
However," he added laughingly, mo one
has offered me $50 for it,
The Missouri Pacific, Mr.. Gould contin-
Jed, would in all probability show earnings
If 81 per cent for the fiscal year ending
June 30 next. The gross earnings were
very good and the net earnings satisfac
.ory, despite an increase in operating ex-
oenses that was common to most roads |
Barring floods and earthquakes he said
here would be no reduction in the dividend
ate.
The work on the Western Pacific. Mr..
Gould added, was progressing satisfac-
orily. Reports that the construction of the
Dad was costing more than the estimates
he characterized as erroneous
I'VE are spending about $1OOO.O0O a |
month on it, he said. I'VE have the money
or the completion of the road on deposit |
n banks and trust companies, and I'VE got
marked on the wall that the road is to
re completed by September 1, 1908. We
hall all be very much disappointed il that |