Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-10-21
HARR|MAN'S DREAM.
Financier Planned One Great
Railroad Trust For America.
TO REACH EVERY BIG CITY.

TO REACH EVERY BIG CITY.
7ranscontinental Trunk Line of Ex-
ceptional Efficiency Which Would
Subordinate All Independents Pro-
jected-Syndicate Being Formed to
Carry Out Late MilIionaire's Plans.
The walking dream of the late Ed
ward ii. Hartman. the railroad genius.
was to organize one dominating rail
road system in the United States with
authority over all transportation bust
ness of the country. One powerful
group of financiers is being organized
to carry out the tinancier's plans. The
lesser groups of railroad owners and
the independent systems are trying to
organize to combat these capitalists.
1t was the Hartman idea to estab.
lish n magnificent trunk line between
New York and San Francisco. The
freight and passenger service of this
grand tranScontinental trunk line was
to be so superior to all other railway
services between the two oceans that
it could command the cream of all
the high class transportation business
at good rates. The low grade bust
ness was to be left to other lines.
which would get just as much business
as was allowed them by the master
railway men controlling the parent
trunk line.
Hoped to subjugate Big Lines.
Harriman's plans included the reduc.
ton to u state Of commercial vassalage
of all lines not included in his system.
The branches of his own system were
to reach every important district of the
United States and give good service
from every first class city. The subju-
cation Of the independent lines was t
be brought about by the power of the
grand trunk line to allot the quantity
OF business which was to be given to
the other systems. Ie expected to
make the Pennsylvania railroad treat
with the big trunk line just as abject
ly as the owners of a little spur con-
Meeting at some faraway point on the
Union Pacific.
The big business of first class traffic
would naturally yield an immense rev
enue to the long and %splendidly equip
ped line which could render superior
service. This would double and treble
the value of the investments in the
lines which We're to go to make up the
transcontinental system. the big ia
Their of al railroads. There would be
enough money left in the treasury to
do all necessary fighting in the early
stages against systems which might
oppose the thraldom. With this treas
ury reserve always available the own
ers of the big system would be able to
dictate railway development in all
parts of the country.
Mr.. Hartman was especially desir-
u that his plans should be carried
out. as their realization would make it
Immensely valuable for his heirs hav-
ing his holdings in the companies which
were to make up the grand trunk line.
For this reason he did not want the
accumulations in the treasury distrib-
uted. as they were to be used in carry
ing out his plans. Those who opposed
his policy of piling up in his treasures
large reserve stocks of needed lines
were those who desired to engage in
Independent development on their own
account in various sections of the land.
Independents Seek to Forestall.
The independent railway owners and
e2ploiters are moving aggressively
now with the hope that they a show
enough strength to successfully live
against the men who will try to carry
out the plans of Hartman and secure
control Of all the transportation inter
ests Of the country. 1t is understood
IN Washington that they have no or
ganization. but by working along the
same lines in opposition to the men
who want to OWL all the railroads they
will have enough power to force the
Hartman and allied interests to per-
NIT independent development and op-
Grafton.
One of the reasons why Mr.. Harri-
man wanted and his associates now
want the active cooperation Of Mr..
Morgan is that he is in high favor in
Washington. Just at present Morgan is
most active in digging into the savings
of the French to get financial support
for his various enterprises. To have
his assistance or even domination at
this critical time would be Of immense
aid to the men who are trying to carry
to success the vast plans Of the dead
manager. Hartman knew better than
any that there were differences of
opinion in his financial camp. While
he was alive he held the opposition in
subsection. Some one like Morgan is
needed now to keep them in line.
Hot Fight Begun.
The inside opposition to Hartman is
being encouraged by the independent
railway owners and developers. They
contend that it is better for the rail-
ways to throw down the bars and per-
NIT the big systems to fight their own
battles.