St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-29
HILLS BoUNDLEss LOVE
For Minneapolis Treated to Cold
Roast.
THE ST. LOUIS IS BACKED UP
Col. Rogers Reviews the Crossing and
Terminal Report Rather Caus-
tically.

A feeling is growing in certain circles
that if President Truesdale, of the Min
neapOlis q st. Louis road, is not exactly
right in his replies to the report OF the
committee of fifteen, he has touched
very nearly home. His main position is
receiving the support of not only many
independent citizens, but of some who
are most vitality interested in the early
settlement of the terminal facility ques-
ton. Col. G. d. Rogers, in the Market
Record, rather ScOrcheS the committee
report in review. He quotes the fact that
the report was adopted and comments
as follows:
DIssECTING THE REPORT.
After stating the position of the st.
Louis road, the report says:
1.-The proposition, it will be observed,
is vague, indefinite and uncertain, by
reason of its accompanying conditions.
Providing first that the city shall pay
for additional lands which may become
necessary for the use of the st. Louis
road"
There is nothing vague in that. A
competent engineer could easily figure
it out, and until that is done the presi-
dent knows no more the quantity re-
quired than the committee itself should
have known before making its report.
Second, that the same company can
procure the additional land from East
Washington avenue by condemnation
or otherwise rendered necessary by
sinking it's tracks the depth aforesaid"
That seems quite definite statement.
1t means probably that the road does
not contemplate hara-kairi by separating
itself at the waist, leaving no means of
communication between its two ends.
Third, sit also imposes upon the city
the expense of sinking its tracks below
five feet in depth.''
That proposition is not ''uDcertain."
A certain number of yards Of dirt is to
be removed, and easily figured. In the
very lengthy report, as published, the
nearest approach to a pertinent answer
to clear and explicit proposition of the
proposition lis vague. indefinite and un
certain" supported by the foregoing
quoted reasons. The equitable rights
of parties are dismissed with that.
The report says: ''But the fatal OBJ
lection to this proposition lies in the
fact that by its adoption the whole plan
of expensive improvements cOHtem-
plated by other railways at this most de-
sirable point for the accommodation of
the business of our city would have to be
abandoned and removed to point so
remote from the business center of our
jObbing trade as to inevitably entail
great inconvenience and added expense
to the shippers of Minneapolis"
THE ST. LOUIS POSITION.
If that statement is true the commit
tee should have said why it is so. Is it
because the Manitoba company will not
4e, IN 70
city will assist 1t to destroy the ST.
Louis? Does the Manitoba company
say it will move in the matter of i'm
provement until it can have the st.
Louis track sandwiched in between its
tracks? If it does the public don't
know it, Why is this its ultimatum eX-
cept it be to cripple rival? The st.
Louis road now runs entirely through
the city south of the Manitoba. The
Manitoba asks that the st. Louis tracks
be taken up and run across a portion OF
the Manitoba tracks, near the central
elevator, and then run beween the
Manitoba tracks on First street and
there be carried back to the South side
again. The st. Louis now has posi-
ton outside the Manitoba tracks. There
is no reason for it's going inside except
ing to be smothered. The committee
asks great deal when it asks that, and
shows questionable fairness in proceed
ing to ''roast' it for its refusal, and then
to pronounce half-column panegyrlc
upon the Manitoba company and Its
wonderful scheme of philanthrOpic
motives provided the city and citizens
will assist in the StrangulatiOn OF the st.
Louis.
THE MANITOBA's CHINESE WALL.
What has the Manitoba road ever
done to show its great love for this city
excepting to choke off all improvements
possible through the operation OF its
Chinese wall at Fourth avenue north?
There its heavy guns are planted to bat
ter down all attempts of roads from the
west or northwest to enter this city. 1t
is there 1t fought the entrance OF the
Minneapolis & Pacific and the $780,"
the st. Paul, Northern Pacific and
Omaha, and where it now proposes to
crush the st. Louis by fatal parallel OF
tracks. Have the Manitoba people
put in legal form any definite PROPOSE
tons binding them to eXpend the large
sums talked of, after the board OF trade
and it's committee have helped them to
stamp out the st. Louis? Not at ALL
The Manitoba road has always been
highest in switching charges and most
intolerant in other terminal matters.
Why did that road haul wheat from the
Northwest to Minneapolis and then pay
the st. Paul & Duluth to haul it to Du-
luth, laying it down in Duluth at the
Minneapolis rate? To save Minneapolis
the burden of handling it perhaps; it
loved this city so. 1t happens to be
we'll for the st. Louis road that it is
Differed by men who, knowing their
rights and duties, dare to maintain them
against the aggressions outlined.