The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-11
SQUEEZING LITTLE ROCK.
ATTITUDE OF THE RAILROADS
TOWARD THAT CITY.
The Basis Of a Money Pool Agreed
On-An Allotment Of Per-
eeRtages.

At the meeting held at the Southern
Hotel last Saturday the basis OF the
pool was agreed upon and the kind OF
a thum bscrew that should be used to
make the business men OF Little ROCK
come down; but they could not agree
upon a basis for the division OF tie
spoils, aud after wrangling over the
matter for several hours II was agreed
to furnish statements aud other data
OF business hauled by each line dur
ing the last six months to George w.
Ristine, general manager OF the Con-
solidated Erie Fast Freight line, for
him to say what percentage each read
should have, and Mr.. Ristine has
wired his willingness to do the arbi-
tration act.
Now, here is what might very prop
erly by called undisguised hard-hsted
monopolyism. These roads, control
ling every rail approach TO Little Rock,
deliberately sit down and say now
much clear cash the commercial ana
manufacturing interests OF that city
shall be assessed per 100 pounds for
the benefit OF the roads without 30
much as even intimating to the BUSH
ness men located there that the ques-
ton was about to be considered, much
less inviting au expression Of their
views and statement from them OF
what traffic tariffs would encourage
and what would destroy, or at least
handicap, their trade and industrial
ventures; moreover, 60 sure are the
roads OF their ability 10 accomplish
their purpose they have already COM
menced estimating the number OF
pounds OF feathers the go ose Is likely
to yield, and how many pounds each
fellow should have for his share.
Railways are either q blessing or n
curse to every town or city they tap.
There is no middle ground. They
either build up or tear down, and 80 It
will be with Little Rock. II her BUSH
ness men do not protest against this
pooling scheme OF the roads con-
trolling all her avenues TO the mar kets
of the country, and have that compe-
tition in reaching the outer world
which her system OF iron and water
WAYS should always afford, they should
not complain II outside capital, Drawn
and brain respectfully passes by on
the other side when looking for new
field for employment.
According to the st. Louis Repub-
lican, the roads centsring at Little
Rock have agreed upon all the points
necessary 70 the formation OF money
pool, except the one OF allotment oil
percentages. The Importance OF some
kind OF an iron-clad agreement that
would enable the lines In interest "a
say what the traffic should bear with
|: out being Obliged to consult the trai'
! &c, has never been questioned by the
! roads running into Little Rock, bu!
. how the thing could be managed
9 without exciting suspicion has beer
the one great problem; but at last
Q plan has been hit upon that will, NJ
Q doubt, put the commercial and indus
" trial interests OF that enterprising Iii
y tie city az completely at the mercy Q
2 the carrier companies az any trad
q center ever was, and the only hop
y left Little Rock is that the roads ma
4 get to fighting over the spoils an,
3 thus relieve the place Of what woul
10 otherwise be almost curse to ever
4. line Of trade and business enterprise
q and there are good reasons Tor hopin
70 that something Of that kind wi
Y wedge itself in between the roads an
y split the pool wide open.