The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-28
1T WAS TOO SWEEPING.
CAUSE FOR REJOICING THAT DIDN'T
APPLY TO THIS CITY.
Gen. Nettleton's Wholesale Slaughter OF
Freight Rates Over His Railroads
Done Merely to Protect Kansas City
Against st. Louis.

in commercial circles yesterday, caused by
tho publication Of the following Associated
Press dispatch in the afternoon papers. II
was dated from st. Louis:
"Gcn. Nettloton has SHE'D his caster
into the ring with notice Of q sweeping rc-
duction in freight rates, taking effect this
morning. There is no haggl!ng or child 8
play about his reductions. At one slash
he cuts the tariff in the middle, knocking
Off exactly ono-half Of ii, except in class 4,
where he came very near leaving nothing
at all. Following are the reductions
NOW ~ ~ ~
There In moro importance attached to
this cut, no far rs st. Louis Is concerned,
than any heretofore made. The Nettleton
system Is managed IN the interest of Kan
sas City, and has contributed very largely
20 the thrift and prosperity Of that place.
The roads extend into Kansas and south
western Missouri, through Memphis, and
as far down rs birmingham, Ala Much
Of this territory belongs TO the Missouri
Pacific and the Frisco, and has been sup
piled by 81. Louis.
at Is 10 these points or this territory
that Mr.. Nettlcton has made his reduc-
tons apply, or, 10 mako II palmer, his
cuts affect all stations ON the Kansas City,
Fort Scott & Gulf, and the Kansas City.
Springfield & Clinton. The rates given
will also apply Oh all commodities where
at western classification rates they are less
than the commodity rates.
at Is claimed by tho Ncttleton people
that they have been forced 10 this course
by the Missouri Pacific cutting rates be
tween 81. Louis and Indian Territory
points. II Is certainly tho signal for some
very lively work. The Missouri Pacific
will hardly waste any limo in temporizinl
with Mr.. Ncttlcton, and q reduction may
be looked for from that system this morn
ing that will be equivalent TO seeing Mr.
Neitlcion and going him few better.
1.-THE Frisco has put on its armor. an,
| will Jump into the fray this morning will
q determination 10 remain rs long iis an,
| Of them and not the ilrst TO say quits"
Business men generally were in higl
feather over the prospect Of minimum
freight rates over the system presided owe
by Gen. Nettleion. They saw in the in
| toihAitiVuf lionlhtb vi rhNihk Whouht
ing, In the long run, 10 n handsome com
Potency An ArrEAL reporter visiic,
Mr.. &. o. johnson, freight agent for In,
system at this end Of the line, with view
10 loarn when the sweeping reduction
would begin here. While the agent wa
reading over the account, a messcnge
handed him the following dispatch, signe'
by NJ. l.. Sargent
| tx ASsAs CrY. Mo-. Feb. q, issS
There Is nothing In tho report abou
Mr.. Neiilcion ordering reduction Of Mem
phis rates"
This was an answer 10 telegram from
Mr.. johnson, sent on tho strength Of 70
ports heard on the streets. Mr.. johnson
then turned 30 a map OF the Ncttleton sys.
TEN OF RAILROADS., explained the reduction
and the territory oycr which u prevailed.
lie stated Tat the Associated Press report
was partially misleading m 10 the warlike
intention or the design OF the reduction
| Freight rates from ST. Louis 10 the Mis-
souri, river country were badly demornl
lied, and enabled 10 merchants OF tina
city 10 invade territory previously con
irollod and by right belonging q
Kansas City. Cen. Ncttleion considered
II the duty Of his company 10 ro'
Nloit lnlH ulfhuNHilhgt lfbnI hNllNk
City, and therefore promulgated the order.
The reductions prevail only over the coun'
try where Tie two sysiems Of road com
pete, namely, the Clinton line from Olathc
kas., 20 Ash Grove, Mo-, and the Fort
Scott & Gulf line from Iori Scott TO Cher
ryvalc, Kas., and Joplin, Mo. These linei
como in contact with the Gould system a
not less than fifteen functions, and without
protection OF the character adopted mus
inevitably result In disaster 20 kansr
City. The mie cutting Is In territory owe
which Memphis has little or no influence
being some 800 miles west Of here. loca
rejoicing was therefore premature, hut tn
people oi Memphis can view the contcs
complaccntly, and remark may the hes
man win" Both the systems are repre-
scnted here. and my eventually engage Il
similar struggles OF more direct interest.