The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-07-27
Railroad Competition.

An unusually well posted correspon-
dent of the n. Y. Tribune writes as
follows from Denver, July 18th, in re-
gard to the new railroad enterprise
from Cheyenne south:
Railroads and politics are reasonably
certain to be live topics at all times,
in every well regulated Western city.
Public interest in Denver has lately
been closely centered on new phase
of the old controversy to which the city
and the Kansas and Union Pacific Rail
roads are parties, and from which GER
tain definite results in the near future
are quite clearly outlined. To write
the history of the dispute between
the two great corporations, or
either to state it satisfactorily to
on its merits, is probably impos-
sible; but the pith of the whole matter
is the desire Of one company for share
of the local business of Colorado, and of
the other for division at Cheyenne, of
the trans-continental traffic. The
Union Pacific wishes to get into Colo
RADIO; the Kansas Pacific is determined
to keep it out; the Kansas Pacific
wishes to take and deliver freight and
passengers to and from California at
the same rates and on the same terms
as the eastern half of the Union Pacific;
in other words at the Eastern base of
the mountains all overland traffic shall
divide and concentrate, taking either
route on equal terms and the Union
Pacific says-we will see about that.
Thus far. owing to the peculiar situa-
has succeeded fairly in maintaining it's
position. The little Denver Pacific
road of 1O6 miles, from this City to
Cheyenne, three-fourths owned by the
Kansas Pacific, and wholly operated by
them, has served as an effectual barrier
against any trade OF travel coming into
the State, by way of Cheyenne, and the
Union Pacific, and its general functions
remind one of the Milesian toast, to the
builder of the bridge which divides the
two sections Of our country" Fares
at 10 cents per mile, and a freight tariff
in proportion, have reduced southwark
bound business of the Denver Pacific to
a very low figure. Denver naturally
objects to this state of affairs, and de-
mands from the road to which it gave
million of stock, the advantages of
competition between the two lines.
Proceeding was lately begun in the
courts of the appointment for a receiver
for the Denver Pacific. a position for
which several highly eligible candi-
dates among the leaders of the movement
presented themselves, but within the
past few days affairs have been arranged
and truce agreed upon. The officials
of the Denver Pacific have been
changed, and the road will be for the
present operated by the representatives
of the Denver interest, who have already
reduced fares and freight. Meantime
much more important action has been
taken by the Union Pacific officials, and
as far as they are concerned the Colora-
do problem is in the way to speedy
settlement. The Colorado Central,
which is altogether under the control of
the Union Pacific, now extends from
this city to Longmont, fifty-three miles,
and contracts have been signed for its
extension to Cheyenne within ninety
days. Mr.. ]. d. Ripley, of your city,
who has the construction in charge says
that his instructions are to run an
engine from Cheyenne to Longmont by
October l, and there is no doubt that
if left alone, he will do it. This distance
is about 80 miles but the grades are
light, the work easy, and labor cheap
and plenty. With this extension COM
plete, the Union Pacific will have free
access to all the principal towns, mines
and markets of Colorado, and the Den.
yer Pacific is surrounded. 1t is the old
! story of two roads to the business which