The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-03
RELATIVE TO THE RAILWAY
Agreement Rock Islands Extern
sion. Notes.
THE TRIPARTIrE AGREEMENT.

siOn-.Notes.
THE TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT.
There seems to be prospect of the re-
newal of the old tripartite agreement
The Chicago Times says of it,
1.-THE proposed meeting of the tripar-
tite' was the uppermost subject of gossip
in western railway circles yesterday, and
many and diverse were the opinions ex-
pressed in regard thereto. There was az
almost universal prediction that if the
original roads forming that combination
really were in earnest in reyiving that or
ganization there was lots of trouble in
store in the future. The call for the
meeting is rather peculiar, being to the
effect that it was TO be held TO consider
business west of the Missouri river, and
representatives of the Burlington and
| Northwestern are invited to attend. Vice
President Potter, of the Burlington, on
being asked Yesterday whether he would
be present, again replied as previously,
that it was exceedingly doubtful and thai
| is understood to be the attitude OF the
Northwestern. All indications point to
a truce having been agreed on
between the Rock Island and
the St. Paul with the Union Pacific, an
active party in promoting the negotia-
tions. 1t is life or death with the latter
road, which is being gradually hemmed
| in by its active competitors, untrammeled
and unrestricted by burdensome govern
ment regulations. The revival of the
"tripartite" would have the effect of put.
ting it in more advantageous position.
The St. Paul is firmly grounded in the be-
lief that it should have a larger share of
the business originating west of the river
which it is not likely to get, unless the
Northwestern and Burlington can be
blutfed and frightened into the com bina>
| ton. 1t has been limited that ii and The
| Rock Island have the privilege OF cross.
ing the river and getting their share by
direct competition, suggestion that
neither will act on so long as they can
force u division at the river The Wabash
is to be cut down on its percentages. no
longer having direct line TO Council
| Bluffs. and the business of the Burlington
and Missouri and the Northwestern lines
west of the river brought into the general
pool. The scheme Is a pretty one, bu,
the majority of the railroad men will be
very much surprised if it is carried out
STRIKING WESTWARD.
President Cablc, of the Rock Island
says that the compAny's Kansas anu Ne
braska extensions are being pushed to a
rapid completion, and that the close of
the year will see the Rock Island system
occupying an important position in those
states The Burlington lines are also
being largely extended in that direction
an both roads will become active com
petitors for business in territory now
controlled by the Atchison aud Missouri
Pacific. They will, however, it is claimed,
open up large section not penetrated
by existing lines. A considerable portion
of this new country is said to I've fertil,
and well improved, and that at presen
sparsely settled will rapidly develop will
increased transportation facilitie!
that the new lines will furnish
Hence, while these extensions will strike
numerous points where they will meeI
with sharp competition from the older
roads mentioned, thev will also have q
large and steadily,growing local traffic,
from which they will derive a profitable
revenue, The Northwestern Nebraska
Dakota and Wyoming extensions are alsC
going steadily forward. \ majority OF
its new lines will prove exceedingly re-
numeratve. from the fact that they tray
erse sections where there is no Competi
ton. and where none is likely TO exist TO
a long time The Wyoming and western
Dakota business will, in the near future
largely consist in transporting merchan'
disc to, and ore and live stock out OF tn
country. A large amount of this traiti
has heretofore gone to the Union Pacific
but that road will not be a competitor
from the fact that its distance from tn
mining and grazing sections mentione
is so much greater than the Northwestern
will be on the completion of its exter
sIOns, that it will be out of the field. cX
cept the competition tina. it can give wit
the new line northwest frJn Cheyenne
The Northwes terms DGadwood branc
will, in any event, have complete M
nopolv