St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-09
SERIOUS STUMBLING BLOCK.
The Burlington Gets Crossways With
Northwestern Roads,
And They all Return to the Slashing
of Rates.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO, April s.-The freight repre-
sentatives of the Northwestern lines, Rock
Island, Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul and
Chicago Il Northwestern were again in
council this morning. and induced the Illi-
nOis Central company to send a represent
alive to the meeting. They labOred with
him faithfully and effectively for couple
of hours, or until they succeeded in
convincing him of the necessity and
desirabllity of agreeing to the special
rates decided on yesterday. representing
that the action of the Illinois Central in
refusing to subscribe, was the only thing
that stood in the way of partial
restoration and a possibility of deriv-
ing some revenue from the business during
the summer season. The agreement was
so convincing that the representative bowed
to its force and agreed to subscribe to the
rates. This accomplished, it was diseoV-
cred that a snag, and very serious one,
stood in the way. 1t seems that the Bur-
lingtOn's position in the matter had been
misunderstood, the other roads, while
aware that it could not become a
party to the agreement, having caught
the idea that it would maintain the figures
set by them. Quite the contrary was the
case. Its officials did not and do not, to
use their own language, propose to assent
to legalizing cut rate to the Northwest,
because some of the roads cannot be
BROUGHT TOGETHER
on the disputes that gave the association its
quietus. It's interests in that direction are
small. but to the Missouri river it is quite
different, and in the Western freight the
troubles are left to run ON from month to
month without effort to readjust OF remove.
In other words, the Burlington wishes to
see the same anxiety displayed to arrange
the affairs OF the Western Freight associa-
ton, as is shown i'll trying to guard the
Northern Traffic association. In the former
the dreSSed-beef contract business, and the
refusal of the st. Paul to pay its balances
or pool, that species of tonnage at the
tariff rates. The fact that two of the pool
lines aare refusing to report their business,
and Ne virtual deadlock that reignS there
has seemingly caused the st. Paul and
Northwestern roads no particular anxiety,
but so soon as a smore lucrative
territory is threatened heroic efforts are at
once made to prevent utter Generalization,
even when it is seen that any arrangement
under the present condition of things can
only result in a temporary truce. For
these and perhaps other reasons, the Bur-
lingtOn
ABSOLUTELY DECLINES
to become party to any advance in rates.
and will adhere to those made by the St.
Paul when it INDUCED in its radical cut.
AS soon as the Burlington's position was
fully cOmprehended it was at once seen
that any advance in rates was prac-
tically impossible. The capacity of road
for doing mischief is not to be measured by
its strength ON its patronage in any particu-
lar section. The Burlington reached st.
Paul and Minneapolis, and shippers would
most certainly patroniZe it to the exclusion
of its competitors if it offered more favor
able terms. Knowing this, there was but
one thing to do. and that was to undo every
thug that had been done. The IllinoisCentral
was notified of the stumbling block that
had been encountered; all lines withdrew
their circulars announcing that rates would
be restored this morning, and the eight and
ten-cent rate on all classes are again
in force by all lines. Opinions
differ as TO the outcome of the Burlington
policy. Using the Northwestern traffic
difficulties as lever to raise into place and
usefulness the western freight pool con-
tracts may succeed if the other pool
roads are good natured and peace
able, but if the reverse should result. if
then should be seized with sudden fit, it is
altogether more likely that the Western
Freight association will fall on its heghbor.
the Northwestern traffic pool, and go to
pieces. The latter is altogether the more
probable prospect.