Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-08-12
.War Measure" Recommendation
Contemplates Moving Of North.
western Business Over to
Illinois Central.
STATION NEAR INTERLOCKER
Would Move Present Central Passen.
ger Station to New Site as
Union Station.

If a recommendation made to the
government railway administration
following a conference held in this
city is favorably acted upon, Webster
City will soon have a union railway
station.
The move is strictly a war meas.
ure based upon the idea that uni
fication of the business of both the
Illinois Central and Northwestern
lines in this city will make for econ.
omy. The proposed move contem-
plates consolidation of the two rail
road plants by the abanacnment OF
the Northwestern passenger and
freight stations and the merging OF
the business of the two at the pas
senger and freight stations of the
Illinois Central. The plan further
contemplates the removal of the Cen
trail passenger station west to point
just east of the crossing of the two
roads. The Central freight depot
would remain where it is and the
Northwestern would reach it by the
construction OF spur from the east
end of the Northwestern yards. A
switch engine and crew would be
kept in the local yards all the time
to facilitate the moving o: trains.
Not only would the Northwestern
abandon its freight and passenger
station, but it's stockyards, as we'll.
Officials Meet.
The plan for the proposed unifica-
ton Of the two roads in this city was
definitely fixed at meeting held
here Thursday attended by Division
Superintendent ]. P. Cantillon. Train
master Geo. Bonner, both Of Eagle
Grove, Mr.. Richards of the engineer
ing department in Chicago, all three
representing the Northwestern, and
Division Superintendent T. S. Sullivan
of Fort Dodge, for the Illinois Gen.
trail.
The proposition was submitted by
the representatives of the Northwest
ern line and was accepted by Super
intendent Sullivan, conditional upon
the expense of ratification being
borne by the Northwestern. This
was accepted by the representatives
of the latter line and Thursday a
joint recommendation from the offic-
ials of both roads asking the govern
ment's approval of the plan was
made. This recommendation goes to
the district railroad administration
at Chicago, where it is
acted upon and sent to Washington
for final approval by Director Gener-
al McAdoo. 1t is expected that with
in thirty days, the matter will be act
ed upon and, since it is recommended
by both roads here, it is assumed the
action will be favorable, despite
great deal of local dissatisfaction.
Local Dissatisfaction.
Local dissatisfaction will largely
center upon the location, Of the sta
ton SC far from the business dis
trict. Railroad officials answer this
with the statement that it would be
impossible to locate it at
any other point. The ideal location,
many believe, would be on Des
street or between Wilson av-
enue and Des Moines street. But
men say either site is i'm
possible for the reason that the ILL
nois Central runs such long and
heavy freight trains that they would
be unable TO make the curve in and
put to get to the station. Hence, they
insist, the location at the crossing of
The roads is the only practical one.
Unification is becoming qulre gen.
,ral under government operation of
he roads. A plan similar to the one
lere is contemplated at Iowa Falls,
where the Illinois Central IL ~ house
Doth tho Northwestern and the Rock
Island. At Sioux City, all incoming
rains now use the Milwaukee station
md outgoing trains the Northwest
.rn.
Loca! division officials also point to
he fact that the new arrangement
n Webster City brings the union
abroad station in very close proxi-
nifty to the interurban, which they
elieve is an added convenience:
Matter Of Expense.
The matter of saving in expense is
disputed question and the proba-
flity is that the national railroad adj
will figure this out to .
ertainty. II 10 claimed that the saw
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