Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-14
THE RAILROAD PORTFOLIO.
Theories and Utterances Of Mogui
and Mechanic.
THE TRANSPORTATION BEARD.
sired Relief From the Oppres-
siye Rates Over the Union
Pacific Bridge.
Sleepy Men,

"Somebody should hold post-mortem ex-
animation on the Nebraska State Board of
Transportation" said well known whole
sale merchant. "Like the ground hog, II
circumstances are of threatening nature,
that body goes into its hole and remains
there. 1t is to be regretted that the CONNER
ciai industry of Omaha should be hampered
by exorbitant freight charges, and voice
that should make itself heard remain silent.
Neglect in the performance Of the duty de-
volving upon the board has been accompan-
led by n contraction of business throughout
the state. Complaints of excess freight
charges have been made, but the board has
evidenced but little desire to afford rem
edy. We can furnish it with ample working
material right here in Omaha The Union
Pacific and its barrier IS the foundation upon
which base my assertions. Just look at It,
Here we have large wholesale establishments
that should not confine their business trans
actions In the trans-Missouri territory. We
should be q supply station for all western
Iowa, but the Union Pacific says "No." 1t
does not come out so openly, but it estab-
fishes a rate on shipments across the bridge
30 high that we can not meet the prices OF
foreign competitors in our own territory.
Then again on shipments to Omaha from the
east the Union Pacific slaps on its toll, which
conpels us to establish higher wholesale
prices, which practically shuts us out in
competitive territory. There Is one thing
NOT absorb the ''toll' on west-bound ship
ments to Omaha, and II the Union Pacific
does not reduce its bridge tariff on east
bound shipments, grand howl will be made
some of these days which will open some
peoples ears and eyes. The monopoly Of the
trafiic is sufficient TO reimburse the Union
Pacific for its e, 10000 structure with
out any increase being mado in its rate
across the bridge, on mileage basis. !
have an eye TO business instead of falling
into Rip Van Winkle sleeps"
-.
There is something aDout the Union depot
project that invites suspicion on the part OF
the tax-paying element OF Omaha There Is,
1t Is thought screw loose somewhere.
When the railroad companies first made
known their intention to construct union
depot nothing was said concerning the con-
Tenth street, and the building alone was to
cost upwards of sl,500,000, Gradually the
inside facts are being brought to the surface
and IL no change is made and matters Keep
on shaping themselves as they have within
the past eight days, the Gigantic structure
will be reduced TO mere skeleton. The
actual cost OF the building on liberal esti
plate, II Is said will not exceed S5OO.OO0, and
together with the site and viaduct will cost
but $500, 600 The railway officials now ash
that the city vcte slT5,0C0 in "viaduct and
Depot bondsn as bonun.
The establishment of parks and places foI
out door amusements is q new move In con
nection with OMAHA railroads. Within this
Past year important steps have been taken II
this direction. The Union Pacific has located
. park at Waterloo, about thirty-two Lilies
from Omaha. Considerable money has beer
expended in fitting this park up, and 1t !:
fast becoming favorite retort.
The Missouri Pacific has also reached oui
In this direction, aud not only has II perfected
q park system along tho Belt line, but 1t has
put on a regular Sunday excursion train:
The resort at Weeping Water has also beet
hxed up on an elaborate scale, and consider