Enough Lines to St. Paul

Chicago, Aug. 27 - President Clarke, of the Illinois Central, says that the consultations between him, Vice-President Fish, and the attorneys of his company during the last day or two have had no reference whatever to tan absorption of the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad by his company.  The Minnesota and Northwestern people had been making efforts to get the Illinois Central to father their scheme and thus place this road in a false position before the public.  Neither Mr. Clarke nor any of the officers of the Illinois Central take much stock in the proposed scheme to secure another through line to St. Paul by joining the interests of the Illinois Central and the Minnesota & Northwestern.  Mr. Clarke thinks there are already more roads between Chicago and Str. Paul than there is any need for.  The Northwestern and Milwaukee & St. Paul alone could take good care of all business there is at present without crowding them too much.  The Illinois Central will do business with the Minnesota & Northwestern on the same terms as with other roads, but it will not countenance the cutting of rates on St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Northwestern business and it will require full proportions on all business it receives from the Minnesota & Northwestern.  If any cut is made it will have to be borne by the latter road alone.

No action has yet been taken by the Illinois Central regarding the extension of the lease of its Iowa lines.  The present lease, as is generally known, expires in 1887.

NY Times - Aug. 28, 1885