Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-29
RAILROADS VS.. SCALPERS.
The Preseut Status of the War Between
the Railroads and the Chicago Board of
Trade.

The Preseut Status of the War Between
the Railroads and the Chicago Board of
Trade.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.
CHICAGO, Jan. 2S.-As one of the resalts
of the war between the Chicago board of
trade and the railroads centering in this
city, it is no possible to publish the regular
weekly statement of east bound shipments
of -four, grain and provisions. No statis-
tics could be obtained at the railroad
offices, the officials of the road claiming
that they have not been furnished with
any reports from their local agents since
orders were issued to furnish no more re-
ports to the board of trade. Mr.. Randolph,
the secretary of the board, claims to be in the
possession of the reports of four days
only, and these he has not compiled and
does not want to until the railroads furnish
him with the statements of the shipments
for the other days in the week. But even
if he had the figures he says he would not
furnish them to the press, having never
done so, the statement being always given
out by the railroads. Arrangements are
now being perfected by the railroads by
which the daily reports of east-bound
shipments will be furnished to
Commissioner Moore, and it is therefore
probable that correct statement of
shipments during the last week can be
published by next Wednesday, and there
after there will be no further trouble in
getting proper returns at the end of each
week, even if the present conflict between
the board of trade and the railroads is not
adjusted in the meantime. AS far as the
railroads are concerned, it is not at all
probable that they will back down in this
matter. They have long been waiting for
any opportunity to record their opposition
to the presumption of the board of trade
to arbitrate claims which members of the
board may have against the railroads and
set itself up as court off in resort IN
such matters. The railroad people say
that under no condition will they allow the
board of trade to arbitrate claims against
them, and before making peace with the
board they must have the assurance that
this sort of thing will not be attempted
again. If a railroad refuses to settle
claim against it, they say the board of
trade members have recourse to the
courts the same as other people.
There is no good reason, they
say, why the board of trade should adju
dicate such matters,as it is certainly not an
impartial tribunal in case of one of its
members against an outside corporation.
The board of trade people are threatening
all sorts of things against the railroads,
among others that railroad men would
hereafter be compelled to become mem
bers of the board if they mean to enjoy
the privileges of the board. The railroads
say they have no idea of becom-
ing members of the board,
as they only go on change
to accommodate the board of trade
people and save them the trouble of go
ing to the railroad offices and making
their contracts there. 1t is the general
opinion, however, that the board will not
carry out any retaliatory measures against
the railroads, but will in few days back
down from the position it has heretofore
taken. As matters now stand the rail
roads have certainly the best of the fight.