The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-11-19
MISSOURI PACIFIC OFFICIALS
FAVOR HOUCk LINE PURCHASE

With the significant statement by
C. E. Perkins, vice-president of the
Missouri Pacific railroad, that "soon-
Ell or later the Missouri Pacific must
come into Cape Girardeau" and with
the willingness manifested by large
per cent of the business men of the
city to get behind the road and help
to secure the money that would be
required to put the line between Cape
Girardeau and jackson, commonly
known as the "Houck Line" in good
shape, the prospects for Cape Girar-
| deau being connected with another
great railroad system were never bet
ter in the opinion of men who attend
ed the conference with the road off
cals held in the Chamber of Com
merce rooms last night The confer
ence was held following survey of
| the Houck road by the Missouri Pa
| cific officials with view to taking
over the line yesterday.
In his address before the Chamber
of Commerce last night, Mr.. Perkins
said that after seeing Cape Girardeau
he felt that it was lamentable that
they were so near to such city and
vet were not connected with it. He
gave it as his opinion that Southeast
Missouri was today the most thriving
section of the territory in which the
road operated.
"The present time, however" Mr..
Perkins said, sis not good one Iii
which to build new roads or buy run
down roads because of the fact that
during the past several years the roll
ing stock of all roads has deteriated
owing to wartime demands. There is
not so much shortage Of cars as there
is shortage Of power. New engin-
es are hard to get and cost about
$75 900"
Mr.. Stevens, chairman of the valu.
alton committee Of the Missouri Pa.
cifc railroad estimated that it woulc
require approximately 100000 t.
make the road that Cape Girardeau
; Jackson and the system would require
Mr.. Perkins explained that his com
; pany had been offered the Houck roat
K and had been investigating its condl
= tions and possibilities. He said tha
! if conditions warranted them incur
ring and additional cost Of re-hablli
: tating the road, they would probabl,
: have to call on people of the city t
e help, not by bonuses but by helpinl
j. to secure the amount of money need
l. ed. He stated in answer to a quer
e that he estimated that it would cos
= about 100000 to re-habilitate tn
l. road.
|. The business men present wer
J. called upon by President Martin t
n express their opinion of the possibil
h ty and feasibility of the propositio
under discussion.
e NJ. E. Leming said Cape Girardea
n never undertook thing that wash
v "put over" and expressed confiden'
J. that the business men of the eli
would meet any reasonable terms n
g quested by the road.
se George l.. Meyer Of the Meyers
r bert Grocery Company said that
was sure that any reasonable r
quirements would be met.
w. H. Harrison expressed com
dence that the business interes
would get back of the movement.
I E. J. Deal, president Of the Sout
s. east Missouri Trust Company, sa
at that from what had been said
ne was evident that Cape Girardeau W;
J: a mighty good town and the Nilsson
Pacific a mighty good railroad and
would be unfortunate if they we
unable to get together. He said tn
while money was tight he felt tn
the road and the business men of Il
city could get together and do som
thing.
r, M. McWilliams, general freig
agent, being called upon for q fe
~ remarks, told a story to illustra
> the present condition of the road a
NJ expressed desire to have the ro
to enter the city.
,ot After hearing the expression OF
ne number of men at the meeting, N
al. Perkins expressed himself as mu
in more favorably inclined to the prol
Js- sition and more of the opinion that
me was possible to enter the city in I
ad near future than he was upon arriv
st. John A. Hope. attorney for
ef- Cape Girardeau Northern. was
on. the meeting, but did not discuss
proposition.