Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-20
The Overland Railroad war.


The Overland Railroad War.
CHICAGO, February 19th.-Ap overland
railway war, growing out of the collapse of
the Transcontinental Association, was in
stituted to-day in thoroughly aggressive
way, both as to passenger and freight traffic.
All lines running west and southwest from
this city, having California connections,
were booking passengers to-day to San
Francisco at SO for frst-class unlimited,
$50 for first-class limited, $40 for second
class and emigrant In the matter for con-
tracing for freight. no rates are quoted,
but the agents have been given a carte
blanche to secure business at any figures
and it is known that very large reductions
are being made The Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe did not announce its rates un-
til this morning, awaiting until the initia-
tive had been taken by the Union and
Southern Pacific Companies. Officials ofthe
Atchison Company assert that the war has
been forced upon them against their
wishes, and owing to their claim to what
they deemed an equitable percentage of
the overland traffic. The First Vice-P resi-
dent of the Atchison Company, to-day,
speaking of the situation, said that the
company had given notice of its intention
to withdraw from the Transcontinental
Association December 4, 1885, for the rea-
son that the Association was not being
conducted upon what they deemed proper
business principles. The Atchison Com
pany had purchased an unfinished railroad
in southern California, known as the Cali
fornia Southern Railroad, and afterwards
proceeded to construct 100 miles additional
from Cotton, the junction with the South.
ern Pacific, to Barstow, the junction with
the Atlantic and Pacific road, which was
completed November LIST. The purchase and
completion of this road placed the Atchison
Company. according to its claim. in
a position to handle and control at least
one-half of the business to and from south
iern California, and as there were but two
roads into that territory, they claimed that
they were entitled to 90 per cent of the
business. 1t was on this claim that the
Association split at its meeting in New
York City. The Atchison Company asked
that California be divided into two dis
tricts, the northern to lie north of Mojave
harbor. and the southern south of that
point. All the other roads interested-the
Southern Pacific, Central Pacific, Texas Pa
cific, Union Pacific. Denver and Rio Grande
and Burlington and Missouri, i'll Nebraska
= opposed this claim of the Atchi-
son Company. The official, summing
up, said Throughout the entire
contest the Atchison Company has been on
the defensive, but inasmuch as the Union
and Southern Pacific roads have seen fit to
initiate war ir rates. it is the purpose of
our company to meet them at every corner,
and to see that the public has the full ben
eft to be derived, if such {. thing is posi-
bic, from low transportation. While the
Atchison Company deeply regrets the posi-
ton to which it has been forced, through
the combined action of other members of
the Association, and fully realizes the de-
plorable results which are to be expected,
and which have always heretofore OBJ
tanned, so far as revenue is concerned, from
a war in rates, they do not propose to give
up the contest until the question of equity
rs conceded to their interests None of the
leading officials of any of the other roads
directly interested have been in the city.
and their views upon the situation have
not been obtained. The connecting roads
out OF this city are passive, and do not ex-
pect to become embroiled in the fight be-
yond reducing the through rates to the ex-
tent OF the reduction of rates announced by
the warning roads from their terminal
points.
FREIGHT RATES ORDERED CUT
NEW YORK, February 19th.-To-day the
Eastern agent of the Atchison. Topeka and
Santa Fe Railroad received orders to cut
the freight tariff rates to meet those offered
by any of the Western lines. As result
the freight rates were to-day reduced about
30 per cent. The Sunset route has also
cut rates. but to what extent is not gen.
orally known. Shippers at this time of
year are not making many consignments.
and the roads, therefore. make liberal terms
with them, in order to secure business. 1t
is therefore difficult to ascertain, at the
oflces of the company. just what rates are
made. Officials of the Sunset route are
now at work upon a new tariff schedule.
which it is expected will be completed and
put into force on or before Monday next.
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
NEW YORK, February l9th.-The Direct
ors OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
were in session all the forenoon at Russell
Sage's office. They adjourned after unani-
mously agreeing to put on a weekly line
and get the best rates possible, to buy one
new steamer and build another Russell
Sage, in an interview, said of the Pacific
Mail p" We will fight to get all the bust
ness We can. If on the cut rates we eau
earn dividends we shall pay them. The
outlook is not encouraging. The stocks
which have had the greatest rise will now
experience the heaviest fall. There is a
good deal in the present conditions to shake
out the long stocks"
Running Match.
New YORK, February 19th.-The athlete,
Myers, practically stepped into the pro-
fessional ranks yesterday, at the Spirit of
The Times office, when he and George signed
the necessary papers and posted $3.50 side
forfeiture for a series of three races, for
middle-distance championship of the
world. The races will be at the distance of
LOCO yards 1,160 yards and 1920 yards. for
81 900 side, and a handsome trophy in
hn no of sf1ta y 80
the middle-distance championship, the
winner to receive the stakes. and the trophy
and two-thirds of the gate money.
John Kelly's Early Death Predicted.
New York, February 19th.-The World
says; Since the sickness of John Kelly
was first made known to the public every
effort has been made by the family to keep
the true state of his illness from farther
publicity. Although all inquiries among
the sick mans physicians are met with
evasive answers, it has been told by the
family that Kelly may die at any moment
More Pugilistic Talk.
Boston, February 10Th = William G.
Harding. representative of Richard K Fox.
arrived from New York this morning and
had private conference with John L. Sal
Ivan. The result of the talk is not def
nitely known, but John I. Kennedy, man
stger OF sullivan saloon, is authority tor
the statement that match has been ar
ranged between Sullivan and Smith. the
English pugilist and that the fight will
take place within six months from signing
the articles Sullivan is reported to have
said, concerning Smiths proposition to
fight for 5000 in France. that there was
hardly money enough in il if be had to 90
there specially, but he will fight Smith in
a private room in any part of this country
before dozen or less persons. for the
championship of the world and stake of
from $4,000 TO $4,000. If this cannot be
arranged, Sullivan says he will fight Smith
If he has to follow him ali over the world.
During Sullivan's European tour under
Inhn lNann heci nj, Sax,tn.,,