New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-22
ROCK ISLAND AND SANTA FEE.
THE ATcH1soN SYSTEM GAINS A NEW ALLY.
A COMBINATION INTENDED TO MEET THE DEAL
OF THE UNION PACIFIC AND
NORTHWESTERN

NORTHwESTERN
Chicago, Nov. Fl (spccaD.-President Cable, Of
the Rock Island, by his signature to-day completed
the formation of the most important railroad traffic
agreement ever made in the United States 1t binds
together in the possible bonds short of actual
Joint ownership the Rock Island, the entire AchsOn
system and the Atlantic and Pacific Figuring on
Rock Island mileage, the line is ffty-one miles
shorter from Chicago to San Francisco than the
Northwestern, Union Pacific and Central Pacific
Figuring AtchisOn and Santa Fe mileage, II is twelve
miles shorter. The line is 10 be called the Rock
Island and sante Fe route the agreement going into
effect instantly after President Cable had affixed his
name The agreement Itself is volumnous
and has had applied IT the best legal and executive
ability furnished by the Rock Island and Atchison
Offices
Tho agreement provides that for long term OF
years the route shall be maintained by the parties
thereto In spite OF any all other outside deals. con
solicitations or combinations. In the new route Dodge
City, Kan. is made the dividing point for all east
ana west bound traffic All unconsigned freight and
passenger traffic from Chicago westbolnd IS turned
over by the Rock Island Dodge City to the Atchson
All unconslGned eastbound traffic from the West is
turned over By the Atchison at Dodge City to the
ROCK Island All freight is TO be handled N through
cars and is TO GO through billing from origin TO
destination. Each road is in every possible way TO
give the preference 10 the other irrespective of past
present or future alliances. The Rock Island and
Santa Fo competing roads for vast amount of
business, especially at Denver Topeka and in the In
dian Territory. From the Missouri River
10 Chicago the interests OF the roads
are Identical. Every present prospective compel
ing point Is contemplated in fhe agreement and it
is provided exactly what each shall do
In regard to the Colorado Midland deal, the agree
ment provides It will be made. This Will give
shorter line between Chicago and San Francisco 10
the Rock Island and a longer haul by nearly 1000
miles. The agreement provides that when the Col
orado Midland Is completed the Rock Island shall
turn over at Dodge City to the Atchson on its East
bound business, for that goes over the Rock
Island and Colorado Midland. President Cable said
1t is very important move, and l am glad 1t
Is finally settled. II IS made, Of course. 10 counterfeit
the Ill effects Of the Union Pacific Northwestern agree
ment and am perfectly satisfied that it VIII succeed
in its object do not how our agreement could
be made stronger or more binding. We have had
the failure Of many railroad agreements TO warn us
of dangerous ground. and am satisfied that there
will be no disagreement 90 certain are we OF TINS
that the agreement itself provides for no Board OF
Arbitration except the officials of the two companies"
President Manvil Of the Achlson Is on
tour. the first he has made'
OF the AtchiSon system. Freight Traffic Manager
and do not apprchend the slightest difficulty in It's
working 1t leaves the short line to Fresno, al
the centre OF the fruit country and by Tar the
shortest line 10 Southern California Texas and Mexico
and all Southwestern points. The Inc Is only few
miles longer TO san Francisco than the Union Pacific
Northwestern combination and that longer distance
Of fifty miles is of practical consequence In mile
age Of 2,469 miles"