The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-12-01
RAILROAD VAR.
The Western Passenger War Has
Now Attained a Thoroughly
Exciting Pitch.
The ST, Paul Road Cuts the Rates
to Iowa and Mississippi
River Points.
The Rate is Met by the Rock Island and
the Fever Likely to Spread.

The interest in the western passenger war.
which has Jagged for few days, was brought
to white heat yesterday by the arrival in Chi
cago of Gen. Manager Merrill and Gen Pass
Agent Carpenter, of the Milwaukee & St Paul
road. 1t is whispered among railroad men that
the visit meant business. 1t was known
that conference of the Milwaukee officials
had been held, and curiosity was or tiptoe to
know the result About 6 o clock, however,
huge placards we're displayed in trout of the
local ticket Office of the Milwaukee & St Paul
announcing that, this morning, rate of so
cents would be made from Chicago to Rock
Island and Moline, and as the ferriage from
Rock Island to Davenport is only 5 cents, the
cut virtually includes that point The
return rates from these points to
Chicago is also so cents Mr.
I. e. Chandler, local passenger agent, said
that Mr.. Carpenter had issued orders to begin
q cut in the morning on these points The
Milwaukee & St Paul had acted on the de-
fensive long enough, and now proposed to
inaugurate vigorous offensive campaign It
began on the three points named, but might
wherever head appeared. Hardly was the
news known on the streets that the St Paul
had instituted a cut on west bound
business before it was also known in
the office of E. St. John, general
passenger agent of the Rock Island,
who wNs on deck, quietly awaiting
the action of the Milwaukee & St Paul
Upon receiving the news of the cnt, he mme-
diately issued an order meeting the cut of the
Milwaukee & st. Paul, and making the follow
ing slashing rates to other points on the line
of the Milwaukee q St Paul from Chicago:
Cedar Rapids, 80 cents; Postville, 81; Nora
junction, 81; Emmettsburg, 81; Albert Lea,
81; West Union ST.: Waseca. 81: Chaska ST.
Mr. St John said that the bail had only begun
to roll The Rock Island had gone into the
western territory TO do business and proposed
to remain there, whatever position its compet-
itors might take
1t will be noticed that the list of points to
which the cut rates, which the Rock Island
puts into effect this morning, include two i'm
portant cities on the line of the Chicago and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Repids and Waseca Mr.
st. John said last night that in making the
fifty cent rate to Cedar Rapids the Rock Island
was not particularly aiming at the Northwest
ern whose main line to Council Bluffs
passes through this point The direct object
of the Cedar Rapids cut was TO retalate on the
Milwaukee & St Paul, whose main line also
passes through Cedar Rapids twas the mis-
fortune of the Northwestern to happen to be
in the way of the Rock Island 1t is consid-
cred that the Milwaukee & St Paul will
promptly meet the Rock Island at Cedar Rap
ids, though no authorized statement to that
effect can be made
In the view that an expression from the gen.
nral Of "a Nor t1lNuo0 tarT1
whose line seems to be unwillingly made
party to the present conflict, would be of in
terest, a reporter called on W. H. Stennett late
last night and learned that yesterday after
noon the Northwestern contemplated itself en-
tering into the fight against the Rock Island
Three methods were under contemplation.
The Northw estern would run trains to
Sterling or Fulton, and from these
points run into Rock Island over the NTilwau-
kee 4 ST. Paul, or it could run to Dewitt
Iowa, and from there to Davenport over it's
own line, either of which routes was shorter
than that of the Rock Island. 1t had been
determined, however, to postpone temper
arily this aggressive policy, but it was by no
means certain that something of the kind
would be done eventually. Referring to the
cut of the Rock Island to Cedar Rapids, Mr.
Stennett said that the Northwestern would
make no effort, at least for day or two, to
meet the cut of the Rock Island. The war was
really against the Rock Island, and the other
roads stood in position of allies against COM
mon enemy. The Milwaukee & St Paul in
the cutting on Rock Island, Moline,
and Davenport had struck a tender spot in
Rock Islands naturally tough anatomy.
will it not result in a cut on Council
Bluffs?"
at is not at all improbable that that will be
the result had hoped that the Milwaukee
4 St Paul would open the ball by cut on
Council Bluffs. The object is to bring the
Rock Island. to its Senses and cut on Council
Bluffs would have involved so many interests
not now in the fight that moral pressure
would have been brought to bear on the road
which has caused all the trouble that would
have made that road more peaceably in
clined."
"Will not the cut on Cedar Rapids demoralize
Council Bluffs business?"
"Yes, but that can't be helped Hopeless
diseases require heroic remedies, and if out
side roads become involved through the war
like attempt of these roads to settle difficulties
it is unfortunate for them"
"Ihen the only course for the allied roads
to pursue is to cut junction points on the line
of the Rocky Island and the Albert Lea route"
"Yes. The Northwestern however, will for
the present pay no attention to the Rock Island.
That road and the Milwaukee d st Paul can
for the present picnic together, and provided
the Rock Island makes no serious demonstra-
ton against the Northwestern, no immediate
action will be taken.
Percival Lowell of the Chicago Burlington
d Quincy railroad, expressed the opinion that
the road he represented would not join in the
rate-cutting war unless the other roads cut
rates to Council Bluffs. In that event the Chi
cago, Burlington & Quincy railroad would
probably take hand III the fight
1t is considered that it Will be impossible to
maintain Council Bluffs rates with
ffty-cent rate to Cedar Rapids, from
which point tickets can be purchased to Coun-
Gil Bluffs for $SU5, making through rate
of 1888, against the regular rate of Sl4S0.
The cut on Rock Island, it is considered, will
also demoraliEe business to points on The Bur-
llngton and Mississippi river points above and
below Rock Island. If Council Bluffs rates
are cut, as is considered likely, it will be i'm
possible to maintain Kansas City rates. and the
bottom will drop out of the entire business
west of Chicago
Mr.. Cable, of the Rock Island, was in his
usual good spirits yesterday. He said that he
knew of no meeting in the air looking to
negotiation for peace He thought, however
that when the other lines got tired they would
quit
1t is considered that there is absolutely no
truth in the stock rumors, published in the in
terest of stock jobbers, which have been eircu-
lated III Chicago, purporting to account for the
present railroad war either in the alleged de-
Omaha stocks in order TO load up at the low
est figures, or in the alleged design of Presi-
dent Porter to depress the stocks of his own
road with the same object in view If a
depression in the value of Omaha socks
had been desired Ills end conla have been at
'a'ned ID more arusuc way. 1t Is urged than
engaging in ruinous and protracted war II
is estimated that the roads are losing daily
$4,000. Three months ago the Rock Island
demanded about what it now demands, having
since conceded 10 per cent on st Paul bust.
ness The determination of the other roads
not TO accede to this demand precipitated and
was the sole cause of the war, which begun
on passenger business over month ago The
war assumes new and aggressive features on
the part of Milwaukee & st Paul and the Rock
Island, this morning, and its effect as a peace
maker remains to be seen.
AT MILWAUKEE,
H.