St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-20
ST. PAUL NEWS.
A PRETTY FIGHT.
The Burlington Stands in With the
Union Pacific.
Progress Of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore d
Western Road.
Slight Track Troubles From Rain-M1s-
cellaneous Rail Notes.

Tho Burrinoton to Continue ,cith the Orig
inay T,.;Dartfte Roads 4gainst the North
aceste71,.
Some days ago General Manager I. d.
Potter, of the Burlington, left the west 1or
Boston, and it is thought by many that MS
going there has some connections IN re-
gard to trans-Missouri business brought
about by the withdrawal of the Sioux City d
Pacific business from the Western Trunk
Line association and the contemplated ex-
tention of the line. Before the Northwes-
tern threw its thunderbolt, the Burlington
and Union Pacific had virtually agreed upon
a division of their business in Nebraska, and
everything looked favorable to an anlicable
adjustment of the difficulties which have dis
turbed business ever since the formation OF
the tripartite combination. But the North
Westerns action spoiled all the arrange
ments previously made and placed matters
IN worse shape than they were ever before
The Northwestern now demands
full share of the Nebraska business west OF
the Missouri river for its Sioux City d
Pacific line. Neither the Union Pacific nor
the Burlington is willing to grant this, as it
would materially reduce their proportions Of
the business. Under these circumstances the
fight between the Union Pacific and the Bur-
lin gton if longer continued would result to
the benefit of the Northwestern, and enable
the latter to perfect its plans for invading
the territory of those roads. 1t therefore be-
comes necessary for the Union Pacific and
the Burlington to make an offensive and de-
fensive treaty as far as the business west Of
the river is concerned to be able to meet the
new competition by the Northwestern. That
the Northwestern means to build through to
the Rocky Mountains is quite certain, and
that it is more than probable that if it can
not secure the concessions it wants from the
Union Pacific it will build through to con-
nection with the Central Pacinc. Fears
are expressed that the Central Pacific
is backing the Northwestern, and may join
in the construction of the line between the
terminus of the Sioux City d Pacific and Og-
den. Such line would be as short if not
shorter than any other Pacific line in exist
euce, and would, OF course, prove danger
Gus competitor for both the Union Pacific
and the Burlington. To thwart this scheme,
IL is Sdlu Lne managers anu OWQerS Ol Iuc.
Union Pacific and Burlington are holding
conferences in Boston. Mr.. Potter went
there it is claimed, to aid President Perkins
and the directors # his road with his advice
and counsel Much will therefore depend
upon the result of his conferences, and
nothing will be done by the committee of
managers appointed by the meeting last
week until Mr.. Potter's return, and until
then western affairs will remain in statu quo.
1t is claimed that owing TO the changed con-
dition Of affairs the Burlington will no lon
ger intcrpose any objections to carrying out
of the original tripartite agree
ment between the Union Pacific,
Rock Island, and Milwaukee d st. Paul. The
Burlington would recognize those roads as
one line and then make an agreement with
them on all business from Chicago through
to Ogde1 By such combination til the
opinion the northwestern wouldshave to de-
pend upon its own resources and would not
be able TO compete efficiently against it I'M
til the completion of its contemplated through
line, which would necessarily take a year or
two to accomplish. The Wabash, which has
no line west of the Missouri river, would be
left out in the cold so far as business west of
Council Bluffs is concerned. BY such action
it is expected that the Northwestern can be
coerced into an arrangement by witch it will
forego the scheme of extending its Sioux City
81 Pacific business and enter into an agree
ment for division of business and the main
tenance of rates with the other roads.