St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-26
THE RAILROADS.
The ST. PaHT's Reply 20 articles Rejecting
on Its Management and Financial Con-
<fsffor

The 81. Paurs Reply 20 articles Rejecting
on Its Management and Financial Con-
oftfon.
A Milwaukee special says: The recent
publication Of articles which it is alleged ap-
pear 10 reflect on the management and inan-
eial condition and prospects Of the Cbicsgo,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company, has
excited much comment among the people
here directly interested in the management
or securities of the company. At the general
Offices Of the 81. Paul company in this city Il
is no easy matter ordinarily TO obtain an ex-
preston Of sentiment IN regard to any mat
tiers affecting the road. But in this case
much feeling was mgnifested among the Of
ficials. The statement that 'sthere are
ordinarily truthful and careful men who as
sert that the st. Paul company is really in a
bankrupt condition, keeping up its dividends
and interest out Of borrowed moLey, and
likely some day 10 end in collapse was
especially condemned as based on no condi-
tion Of truth or fact.
Alexander Mitchell, the president Of the
company, however, took the situation with
the same GOODNESS which ordinarily character
ICES him, and seemed to attach but little i'm
portanee TO the publication. When asked II he
intended to make any public reply, he said
at would be a waste OF time TO attempt 20
reply 70 the absurd statements that are put
forth from time TO time by those interested
in depressing the market value Of St Paul
securities. II is enough TO know that the
stock and debt Of the st. Paul company are
much less per mile than those of any other
of the leading western companies; that the
property is in better condition than ever be-
fore: that its facilities for doing business are
larger and better; and, most Of all, that its
earning capacity in these dull times, when
the earnings of all western roads are q. a
minimum, fully confirms the confidence OF
its friends. These facts are more interesting
and Instructive to the public than columns
of distorted figures and arguments to disap-
pointed bears"
A leading stakeholder directly interested in
the management Of the road said: ''Of
course we here in Milwaukee have sort Of
local pride In the st. paul. But local pride
have little OF no influence when men come
10 invest in railroad securities, and the stock
holders of the st. Paul company, who know
as much as anybody else about the manage
ment and condition Of the company, know
that all attacks are based on desire TO in
fluenee the securities, the business Of the
company, and have no basis in truth"
The Lake Shore Sued for Damages.
CLEVELAND, Nov. 25.-About year ago
Scofeld, Shurber 81 Teagle, oil refiners, en-
tered two suits in the common pleas court
here against the Lake Shore Railway COM
pany, one for en- injunction 10 restrain the
railroad company from discriminating in
freight rates on oil and the other for $780,
600 damages in consequence of discrimina-
ton in the past. The suit for injunction
was tried last winter before Judge Blandin,
who held the defendant as a common carrier
had no right TO charge one customer one
rate and another different rate for the same
service. The judge granted the injunction,
but the case was taken to the supreme court,
where the suit for damages is now on hear
ing. The plaintiff alleges serious dam
age to business, because the railroad COM
pany transports oil for the Standard
Oil company at lower rates and furnishes 10
the Standard company facilities in the way
of cars, switches, side tracks, etc, which II
refuses the plaintiff. The defendant an
swers practically that the volume of business
given it by the Standard company makes it
profitable TO allow a rebate, as said company
furnishes about ninety per cent. OF all oils
shipped from here, and moreover owns tank
cars, aud takes all risks Of fires. The plain
tiff alleges the railroad company refuses to
allow the firm to provide tank cars, and has
resisted all efforts to establish an equal foot
ing. The plaintiff further AYERS it has been
prevented from extending business on ac-
count of inability TO compete with the Stau-
dard company in the oil markets, because of
different rates of transportation. The taking
of testimony is in progress.