The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-06-14
important Railroad Combination.

important Railroad Com bInatIon.
For several days rumors have beer
iu circulation that the Milwaukee Il
st. Paul and the Northern Pacific
railroads had formed q trafic arrange
ment that would be most gratifying
to the travelling public, and now the
rumor has become an established fact
by an interview with Roswell Miller,
president OF the Milwaukee & st. Paul,
who was in st. Paul on the 7th inst
Mr.. Miller said:
The settlement Of the present rate
difficulties can to my mind only be
effected By q return to the pooling
system in vogue prior to the passage
OF the interstate commerce law. While
this system was not perfect in it's
workings at that time, / think 1t can
be re-established and put in force in
such way as to bring about 3 perma-
nent settlement OF rates. The reason
for the disss tistaction which existed IN
days gone by, was that the several
roads had divers irregular ways at
their command to defeat the purposes
OF the pool. These are now prohibit
cd by the Interstate law. Yes. 1
think the law will be amended so that
some form OF q division OF freight
traffic will be permitted. The people
will force it. What they want 10 q
stability of rates, which shall be per-
manent and lasting. 1t is the fiuctua-
tions in rates which brings about
more determinations against certain
localities than any other cause. A
division OF traffic will regulate all
these things as to freight traffic. Ii
will bring about permanency OF
rates and help to prevent discrimina-
tion. The agreement We now have In
effect are good things in their way, and
all are each day growing nearer q set
tlenent Of the differences now existing.
Some of the more serious OF these
have been amicably adjusted. but do
not see any way by which the desired
end can DO fully attained both as to
passenger as we'll as freight traffic, ex-
Cept by the formation OF q pool. A
division OF traffic will answer so far aa
freight Is concerned, but tor the con-
troll OF passenger rates we,must have q
pool. Passengers cannot be diverted
as can dead tonnage.
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED.
Official confirmation by officials ol
the Northern Pacific and Milwaukee
& St. Paul has been givea TO the
statement that arrangements had
been made between the two compan.
les for through car service from Chi
cago to the Pacific coast. Genera
Passenger Agent Fee, OF the Northern
Pacific said the arrangement was not
@ traffic agreement, but simply a run
ming arrangement. He also took ex'
ception to the statement that great
inroads has been made upon the first.
class business OF the Northern Pacific
by the establishment OF a through Cal
service over tho Northwestern and
Union Pacific. On the contrary he
says the passenger business OF the
Northern Pacific has increased 33 La
per cent during the past three months.
Just what time will be made over the
new route Mr.. Fee was not prepared
to state. He did say, however, that
the running time would be from 10 to
2S hours shorter than at present.
This will make the Northern Paclfic's
time from Chicago to Portland via
WalIula Junction about the same as
that OF the Northwestern and Union
PaciGc, but will give the Northern
Pacific much the shorter route to
Puget Sound points. The new ar
rangement, as announced, takes effect
June Is.