The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-10-21
OFFICIALS OF MINNEAPOLIS AND
ST. LOUIS AND IOWA GEN.
TRIAL ON TRIP.
FINDS PROPERTY IN GOOD SHAPE
Confer With Engineers on Projected
Lines to the Border-Plans Of
Merger Are Not Com.
plete.


and his party have returned from
their inspection trip of the Minneapo-
lis & st. Louis and Iowa Central rail
roads, and express themselves very
we'll satisfied with the physical con-
dition OF both properties. Mr.. Erb said
that contrary to statements frequent
ly made in Wall street within the last
two or three years, these roads are
in very good shape.
He has had statistics prepared
which show that, with the exception
, of two small and unimportant rail
roads, the Minneapolis & St. Louis
and the Iowa Central lines put a larg-
err percentage OF their earnings back
into the properties during the last tis-
cal year than any other two railroads
In the United States.
Mr.. Erb says that this reinvestment
will be reflected in the earnings.
The special purpose Of this trip was
to confer with engineers regarding the
location for route for the proposed
extension of the Minneapolis & St.
Louis railroad to the Canadian border
and Of the Iowa Central from Center
Vile. Ia. to st. Louis. Vice Presi-
dent Bierd has been instructed to
make reconnaissance of the line
from Minneapolis to Emerson, Man.,
on the border, where connection
would be effected with the Canadian
Northern, and another reconnaissance
from Watertown. S. D., to the border,
where connection would he effected
with the Grand Trunk Pacific as we'll
as the Canadian Northern.
May Follow Mississippi.
The chief engineer has been instruct
ed to make preliminary examinations
for line for the southern extension,
and it is probable that it will be built
along the course of the Mississippi as
far as possible in order to get water
level road. After the engineers re.
! port on these reconnaissance and they
have been considered by MIR. Erb and
his associates, instrumental surveys
will be authorized and made.
Mr.. Erb was not satisfied with gen.
eral conditions in the Northwest. He
says that although there is fair vol
ume of business. it lacks snap. The
general merchandise movement on the
Minneapolis & st. Louis and the
Iowa Central railroads is keeping up
pretty WELL he said, while coal traf-
fic is improving The latter condition
is due to an increase in both domes-
tice and factory consumption of coal.
Mr.. Erb declared. He believes that
the increase in general merchandise
traffic is the result Of the growth in
population, particularly on the Mime
apolis & St. Louis line.
After making careful study of
both roads, Mr.. Erb says that two
reasons why they have not shown bet
ter results are shortness of haul and
comparatively small train load. He pro-
poses to lengthen the former and in.
crease the latter. and is confident that
he can do both within a reasonable
time.
Committees to Meet.
Committees recently appointed to
consider a plan for leasing the Iowa
Central to the Minneapolis & st. Louis
will hold a meeting in this city to go
into the matter in detail. II is proba,
BILE that Mr. Erb will suggest form
of lease similar to that on which the
Wisconsin Central was taken over by
the 500 line. He says. however. that
definite plan, including terms for
the exchange Of securities. has not
been worked out.
He is confident. however. that the
whole undertaking will be carried
though within the time prescribed by
the laws Of the various states through
which the lines Of the two roads ex
tend, and that it's contamination will
prove of great benefit to the two prop
critics.