Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-19
THE RAILROAD WAR ovRR.

THE RAILROAD WAR OVER.
We are grati6ed to be able to announce
that the railroad war between the Iron
Mountain railway on the one hand and
the Memphis and Little Rock and its
allies on the other is over. This is Incl.
dentally q result of the railroad conven.
ton in this city, which closed, after two
days important proceedings, at a late
hour last night. The question did not
properly belong to the convention, nor
do we understand that it was submitted
TO that body for arbitrament, but the
meeting of SO many representative rail
road men representing the greatest lines
in the Southwest naturally suggested a
discussion and settlement of this ques
ton BY those in immediate authority and
most directly concerned. The details
have net been made public, but
we are led to believe that the Iron
Mountain road will not discrim.
mate ,hsrshly against Memphis in
future, and that harmonious relations
will be re.estsblished. Our sympathies
we're naturally with the Memphis and
Little Rock road, as the vital interests OF
Memphis were involved and we felt that
the Iron Mountain Railroad Company
was using its great power to the injury OF
this city and section and to crush a
weak connecting line. But it is pleas
ant to know that the struggle was con-
Quoted openly and boldly on both sides,
and that the amenities Of polite CONNER.
cial intercourse we're not violated or the
kind personal relations disturbed on
either side. Our little road made a gal
liant fight in behalf of what its officers
considered to be the right, and we are
proud Of them for the nerve and forti-
tude they displayed in an unequal con-
test. 1t ia due to other railroad officers,
notably those of the Louisville, Nashville
and Great Southern. the Memphis and
Charleston and some Of the roads in
Texas, to state that they stood by Col.
NJ. B. Prichard, president, and Mr.. Spain
Jay. general passenger agent of the
Memphis and Little Rock railroad, 9th.
erwise the contest would have necessarily
ended Don But it was only a ques.
ton of time; the Iron Mountain road
had advantages Of position and means,
which could not be overcome by a
line only one hundred ard thirty
FIVE miles long. We presume that some
concessions were made on both sides or
the settlement could not have been
effected even after so full aud free a CON
ference as that just closed. There is too
much at stake, too much capital, trade
and immigration seeking an outlet to
Texas for the Iron Mountain road to ig
more or try to control it altogether. A
continued refusal to recognize the int.
rests OF the various railroads east OF the
Mississippi concentrating at Memphis
would soone or later result in the con-
struction of a direct line to Texarkana
or Jefferson. Had that line been built
twenty years ago the Cairo and Fulton
and its extension into Texas would never
have been heard Of, and Memphis to-day
would rival st. Louis in population and
wealth. 1t is not too late to correct the
mistakes made 80 long ago; it is not too
late to build a short route which would
give US an air line connection with the
Texas and Pacific railroad and the other
great roads of Texas. The Iron Noun
tain road is taxed to it's utmost capacity
to do the carrying business between St.
Louis and Texarksns, a distance OF 400
miles. Another line running into Texas
is needed and will be built in a few wears.
But as we are at present dependent, in a
great measure, upon tire Iron Mountain
road, it is a satisfaction to know thai
the managers Of that great truck line
have discarded all appearance of an il
liberal policy and thrown it open to faii
competition. The railroad war was ia
furious to both sides and was dom.
Memphis no good. We are glad that i
is over. While the details are not an
nounced, we feel justified 10 saying tia
the business men of Memphis will hav,
cause to be satisfied. and that by goin,
for it and making proper exertion the,
can compete for Texas trade and secur,
Texas cotton. Heretofore freights hav,
been cheaper from St. Louis to Texar
kane than from Memphis to Texarkaus
although the distance is 2lO miles il
our favor. Under the alliance JUS
formed this discrimination will be so mod
fled that Memphis will have a chance
All the territory cas- Of the Ohio an,
south Of the Potomac comes within tn,
new arrangement, while the Iron Noun
tain maintains its advantage Of position
10 the territory north Of the line indica
ted. ST. Louis loses nothing materially