New-York tribune., 1922-11-21
North. Z Pacific
VI oulltI Merge 9.
With G., B. < Q.
will Oppose Being Linked
With ST. Paul should
/. c. C. Decide TO Break
lIp "Hilln Combination
Byram Favors A Groups
secs s.seas Advantage Ia
Consolidating st. pari
with The Union Pacifc

Ysas, Tas 7ts5aefs Washiagtoa Barcau
wEsHiNGT0%, Nov. 2o.--The North
~ Pacific wiij defend the tentative
sisn for It's consolidation with the Bur
iisrtoB aud oppose being linked with
9s 81. Paul road, as suggested by the
sssst Northern, should the Interstate
Ks4ameree Commission decide TO break
- Tie combination OF the three "HilP'
sses In grouping Western roads under
20 Eseh Cummins transportation act.
fAsrles Donneily, general counsel.
tA.ssy declared the Northern Pacific
Iii make a complete answer to the
grsas Northern at a hearing to be held
i..er. either here or in the West, per-
asps IN ST. Paul.
fbs Northern Pacific, having come
here w;th fbe Great Northern and Bnr-
Srvtoa 70 oppose the commissions
tenfstiFeplan and urge consolidation Of
de three "Hll!" lines, was unprepared
fsr tie Grea6 Northern's shift in tao
ties AD It could do was to sit by and
allow the Great Northern to present it's
facts and arguments for linking the
Great Northern and Burlington and
shsa asked Commissioner Hall to give
as Northern Pacific time to make its
sase against the Great Northern.
Hill" line Hearing Ends
50 far as the "Hill" lines are con-
xrned the present hearing was con
eaded late to-day. 1t Will be resumed
ii some future date to be fixed by
Commissioner Hall.
louis w. Hill, chairman of the board.
sad Ralph Budd, president, were heard
n behalf of the Great Northern and
hesident Byram spoke for the st. Paul
sad. Mr. BUdd completed his testi-
sony begun Saturday TO show why the
Great Northern, rather than the North
srn Pacific, should be grouped with the
Burlington. Mr.. Hill N;.e called to the
stand by walker ID. Eir, general
counsel, to show that James J. Hill
rorked for and looked upon the Great
Northern Darlington combination as
one for mutual benefits.
Nr. Byram told Commissioner Hall
lie st. Paul road gladly would accept
tonsolidation with either the Great
Northern or the Northern Pacific. 1t
preferred the commissions tentative
plan signify because there are a few
minor objections to being linked up
With the Northern Pacific. Mr.. Byram
said that little or nothing in the way
d economy of operation could be
gained by uniting the Northern Pa
ciac and st. Paul road, because the two
run parallel for considerable distances
in Montana and Washington.
Favors 4 Groups
Questioned by Commissioner Hall.
Iii Bryan said he liked the surges-
iiOa Of Hale Holden, president of the
Burlington, that the Western roads be
grouped into bigger systems. Mr..
Holden proposed four, which would
Isye the Hill" lines in one group,
u the st. Paul were consolidated
vgh the Union Pacific il 9uld not
Aiesso the "Hill" lines beius grouped
ogsthsr Mr.. Bryan said. In fact, he
syorea hat grouping as solution
ef &s Problem, The st. Paul road,
e SAG, could be grouped with the
talen Pacific very much to its advan-
.lge
Wien asked by Commissioner Hall to
sa That advantages the Union Pacific
Eaad gain from such Il combination
hBryam said he was unprepared to
sE. lie admitted the Union Pacific
eaesn't favor such Il combination.
What would you do with the North
sestern?" Commissioner Hall asked
@M2w Won have Ire in hot water"
Mr. Byram replied with u smile. He
suggested it perhaps would have to be
mixed WIFE one or the Northern lines,
which would mean breaking up of
the Chill" combination, one northern
line TO get the Burlington and the
other to get the Northwestern.
On being questioned, Mr.. Byram ad-
mltted that the st. Paul-Union Pacific
combination would have two transcon-
tnental lines, while the other two com
btnatlons would have only one each.
Mr. Byram said that during the wgr
the Director General Of Railroads had
given consideration to operating the
st. Paul road and Northern Pacific
Jointly where their tracks parallel,
but concluded that there would be no
economy.
Mr. Budd in answering this conten-
Flon by Mr. Byram, insisted that econo-
mlos In operation could be effected by
uniting the lines. In Washington, he
SAID, 100 miles Of trackage could be
completely abandoned and that in the
mountains in Montana savings could
DC made. He said there is a surplus
age of trackage.
i would take the best OF what is
.here and make the best use of it,"
Ar. Budd said.
AfsJ II Ca nsE ~ -.