Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-25
Il Means Business.

CHICAGO, Nov 24.-It is becoming more
evident day by Gay, that the rate war be-
tween the great Northwestern trunk lines
mean business. and that some line is
going 20 get hurt before it is finished. Up
to yesterday the fight was purely local in
Its character, being confined simply to a
cut on eastern passenger rates from st.
Paul and Minneapolis. Yesterday after
noon cut was inaugurated by the Chica-
go, Milwaukee q st. Paul on Moline, Rock
Island u Davenport, and from those points
to Chicago. This was direct blow
at the local passenger travel
of the Rock Island, which was as promptly
met by the latter company. Inquiry
at the Rock Island offices this morning
developed the fact that that company had
received information from their agents in
Davenport and Rock Island that this cut
was being commenced by the Milwaukee
people, and orders were therefore issued
by the Rock Island management to dupH-
cate any rate which the Milwaukee & St.
paul might see fit to make. This morning
this cut was followed up by another on
the part of the Milwaukee g. ST. Paul on
Albert Lea and intervening points of 81,
and IN return the Rock Island has flooded
the city with dodgers advertising a so cent
rate to Cedar Rapids and a 81 rate to
Albert Lea. In fact both companies
are cutting to all junction points, and a
trip to St. Louis via Albert Lea. costs
$3.50, and by the way of Chaska is S1.9O
only. Chaska is one of the points in
cluded in the 81 cut from Chicago. Thus
1t will be seen that the cut is getting as
close as possible to terminal points with
out actually reaching. Under the provis-
ions of the Northwestern pool a forfeit Of
$500 is due for any ofTense against the reg
ulations of the association, and so these
companies are adhering to the letter of
the pool, but evading the spirit of it. 1t is
clear that the present strain cannot last
much longer, and that general war
Will ensue, including all bust
ness, unless compromise
is speedily reached. The Northwestern
management deny that they will begin to
cut, but it is thought that they will soon
be forced to take action, for they are be-
tween two fires, their st. Paul business be-
ing affected by the Albert Lea operations,
and their Iowa and Omaha business raked
by the cut on Davenport & Cedar Rapids.
A passage to Council Bluffs now costs only
$40 by the Rock Island.
Mr.. Percival Lowell, the general passen-
ger agent of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy, when asked this morning what &C
ton would be taken ty that company IN
view of the cut on Davenport & Rock Is
land, said: s'We shall do moth
ing Immediately. We want to
keep out of the fight as long as possible
This last cut directly affects through bust
ness to Omaha, and of course if it con-
tinues we shall be compelled to take &C
ton, but we will postpone it as long aswe
possibly can"
1t is expected the Northwestern and
the Burlington will join in the cut to-mor-
row. This move of the st. Paul is regarded
as good one here, as it is running trains
at a loss over its new line, business not yet
being established, and it will thus fill its
trains and advertise its splendid new
western route.