The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-08-07
THE RAILWAY TROUBLES.
The Rock Islands Position. rs Defined by
General Manager ~. John.
IChicago special.

[Chicago special
General Manager st. John of the Chi
cago Rock Island and Pacific Road
authorizes the following statement in re-
PLY to assertions recently made by Vice
President j. G.. McMullin of the Chicago
and Alton in published interview:
Mr. McMulln. int recently published inter.
view. has clearly defined the present position
and policy OF the Alton Road. Iii To insist Oh
tlWDugh rates being made on basis that viii
give 20 IL fair share OF the traffic which goes u
and comes from points west OF Kansas city
He illustrates his meaning by citing shipment
OF live stock from Topeka on the Rock Island
Road through kar'as City TO Chicago upon
such shipment the tariffs OF all the Ines a.
heretofore adjusted provided for "A through rate
somewhat less than the sum OF the two locals
This practice was in accordance with
well-recocnizcd principles OF matchmaking az
universally practiced by carriers, and has
been approved by the Interstate Com
merce Commission which, in "a recent
on se used the following language AT
through rates We're made by the American sys.
TEN OF roads agreed percentages or the t0tai
rate. considerably less in amount than the 10
cal rates of roads receiving such percentages,
are usually leading feature, and IL is EN-.
inenty proper "a n general rule that TINS should
DO so. Commerce and trade require II
aud competition compels II. such rates, when
reasonably and fairly adjusted to local bust
ness, are greatly favored in the law because
they furnish cheapened rates and greater facih'
{ ties 20 the public, while at the same time they
Give increased employment and earnings 10
/ larger number OF carriers.
In the rates as adjusted heretofore upon live
stock trafiic from points in Kansas, Indian Ter
ritory, Texas etc, through Kansas CITY u
Chicago the difference between the sums OF The
locals and the through rates was an entirely
reasonable difference, and the tarins IN cues
ton were precisely upon the line OF the resolu-
ton which Mr. McMullin quotes apprOyingy.
! Notwithstanding this, he says that he proposes
20 get what he calls fair share OF the tIafnc
by reducing the local rate from Kansas City To
Chicago 70 the amount OF the proportionate
rate between these points charged by the Rock
Island on the through shipment .
This statement is certainly candid. His limo
has no extension west OF Kansas City. The Rock
Island has. He proposes to make me latter oil
vide with him traffic which originates upon The
extension that il has furnished means 10 CON
struot and this he will do by reducing the
tablished rate from Kansas City TO Chicago
This declaration follows his announcement AT
the commencement of the same interview that
-the Alton does not cut any rates III only re
tiuces when necessary TO meet cut rates OF other
roads" Yet the Alton has just forced large
reduction in all rates on live stock and products
from Kansas City 10 Chicago IN ACCORDANCE VIII
the policy above stated.
Naturally and inevitably when the Alton re
duces its rate from Kansas City 10 the division
OF the through rate charged upon the lines where
tho live stock shipments originate those ltnee
must meet the reduction in the local ana AT the
same time reduce their through rate cores
pondingly. This is necessary for their preser
vation they will not think that they can rea
sonably be asked to @cut their lines in two Tor
the benefit OF the Alton. nor can the latter Justly
expect them 10 surrender traffic which they have
constructed long lines OF road to secure. This
step will apparently involve new reduction by
the Alton TO the level OF the new "proportioDat
rates :" and the process will be repeated untH al
the lines are doing business at Il loss and some
body suuenders.
4 The association has no desire TO punish the
Alton for its withdhawa nor for anything else
Action necessary for the protection OF It's limos
against the Atoms raid will probably be taken
however