St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-29
IN THE NORTHWEST
How To-Day's Meeting In st. Paul
May Affect Freights.
Rates Have Been Already Somewhat
Shaded.

Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO, March 2S.-The Times to-
morrow will say: The meeting to be held
at St. Paul to-day will have a considerable
bearing upon the condition of railway af-
fairs in the Northwest during the summer
months. The general freight agents of the
lines parties to the Northwestern Traffic
association have agreed to consult together
as TO the best means and methods of 50 far
restricting competitive strife Tor freight to
and from Chicago, Minneapolis and ST. Paul
as Will prevent general decentralization in
the territory. The officials have set them
selves difficult task. With all OF the
restraint thrown around the traffic by the
pool provisions, Negotiations have crept in
and now prevail. Indeed, had 1t not been
that the near approach of the day set for
the dissolution of the association gave the
rivals more patience than they would have
exercised had they been bound down by
term OF years, retaliatOry measures would
nave been resorted to two months ago.
The principal cutting has been upon
west-bOund business, and fair example Of
the extent to which it has been car
rled on is demonstrated by the
rates on agricultural implements, tariff 223
cents per 100 pounds, but within the last
ten days carried at 1919 cents by all the
lines. All classes have been shaded, al
though not to quite 50 large proportion.
Grain and flour rates out of Minneapolis
have not been adhered to, and III tact the
situation was fast ripening into the point
where comes
AN EXPLOSION.
In their laudable efforts to check the
natural effort of removal of the brakes
and the nyariable impulse downward, the
freight agents have not only to confront
their ingrained and leading idea that their
own line must be protected, which
means the instant meeting Of
any rumored rate made by
competitor, but have also both river and
lake competition to fight against. The nat
ural rivalry between the st. Paul IL Duluth
and the NOrthweStern's Washburn route,
the latter now untrammeled by any associ-
alton restrictions. cannot but have power
full effect upon both east and west-bOund
rates. Not only will the cheap combination
of rail and lake rates draw -four to the Lake
Superior ports and thence eastward to the
Eastern trunk lines, but weSt-bound freight
will, to q large extent, seek the same route,
unless the Chicago rail routes reduce TO a
figure below the actual cost of carriage. 1t
is the misfortune of the rail lines
to be confronted with the arbitrary
rates of the lines east of Chicago, which
will exact full proportion and refuse to pro
| rate under any circumstances. The MiSSiS-
| Sippi river boats add their quota to the dis
| turbing influences. With this condition of
affairs springing from natural causes and
in no way to be attributed to the internal
disSensions of the lines, the attempt Of the
| general freight agents to oppose these dis
tracing influences and
Harmonic AMONG THEMSELVES
\ is almost hopeless. While. as has been re-
| marked, there is no bitterness displayed
between the rival systems, and possibly no
| disposition to wage war, still there
is lacking unity of purpose to hold up the
rates to the highest Obtainabe point, and d
constant pressure of neutral causes will be
| continually exercised toward the other ex-
treme. 1t was not in the cards to keep up
the organization. The Lake Superior out
lets have been allowed to grow and expand
until the current is set too steadily in that
direction to be damned up by arbitrary
rates. 1t was the inherent weakness OF
the pool that forced its dissolution. Two
years ago the opportunity to control and
regulate the lake traffic was presented. Ii
would have been the part of wisdom to have
graSped the chance. 1t was allowed tt
20 by and it is safe to say that for six
months in the year the Northwestern roads
must confront active water competition fol
the carriage of heavy freights that will
force down their through rates to the mini
mum. The coming summer will be periOC
of adjustment to new conditions. Inferno
cine struggles for advantageous rulings
will give place to open competition on the
merits of the lines engaged. Where re-
strictions have hampered and rules weighted
down there will be chance for trial il
the open field. 1t is hardly possible tha
rates will be maintained and the most san
guine of officials does not expect it. L
open warfare is averted, that possibly is as
much as can be expected.