The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-30
FIGHT FOR A CROSSING.
Gould Won't Let Milwaukee and Rock
Island Roads Over Omaha Bridge.

Island Roads Over Omaha Bridge.
OMAHA, Dec. 29.-An attempt was made
this morning by a Milwaukee d St. Paul
train to cross the Union Pacific bridge, but
the switches were fixed so that they could
not, and the train was Obliged to return to
Council Bluffs to transfer. S. III. H. Clark,
general manager of the Union Pacific, said
the Union Pacific proposed to do its own
business. 1t did not give up to another
road and allow it to use its tracks as it
pleased. It had offered TO pull in the cars
of the Milwaukee and Rock Island, but
would not allow the engines of those roads
to do the pulling. The agreement would
not be complied with. The subject was
now being discussed in New York, and
decision would not be reached before the
9Th prox.
CHICAGO, Dec. 23.-The action of the
Union Pacific in debarring the Chicago,
Milwaukee g. st. Paul from entrance into
Omaha over the Union Pacific bridge was
a surprise to the st. Paul officials. For
some time they have been advertising that,
beginning yesterday, they would run pas
senger trains through to Omaha, but the
first one under the new schedule was
stopped by the Union Pacific people at the
bridge. In an interview this evening
President Miller, of the st. Paul road,
said:
Last May our company entered into an agree
ment with the Rock Island road by which we
were to build bridge across the Missouri river
to Omaha for our joint use. As soon as the
Union Pacific people heard OF this, and refer
particularly to Sidney Dillon, who is now presi-
dent, and General Dodge, who is director, they
sought conference with us, told us there would
be no need of our building the bridge, as they
would be glad to let us use their bridge for
consideration. subsequently contract was
drawn up by which our road and the Rock
Island were to run trains into the Union depot
at Omaha over the Union Pacific bridge. This
company was to pay $4,000 year and its pro-
portion of other joint expenses. The contract
was approved by President Adams and the
board OF directors OF the Union Pacific, and
there can be question as to its valid
ity. So far as our freight business is
concerned, we have been operating under
the contract since July, but as soon as we gave
notice that we would begin to run passenger
trains we were shut out without explanation.
The contract is legal and binding, and don't
see how the Union Pacific can set it aside.
The Rock Island contract was similar to that
of the st. Paul, except that it embraced joint
use OF the tracks from Omaha TO Lincoln On
the strength of it the Rock Island has built 81
miles OF road between Lincoln and Beatrice,
Pacific was thus to obtain southern outlet
through Indian territory and become a com
petitor for traffic TO and from the Southwest.
Presidents Miller and Cable had con-
ference today, but both declare that they
have not decided upon any definite course
of action. They were trmly of the opinion,
however, that they could not be deprived
of the rights accorded them by the con-
tract, even though there had been change
In the management of the Union Pacific.
The opinion was expressed here today
that the hand of Jay Gould had been seen
in all of this. He owns the Missouri
Pacific, and that part of the contract
which gives the Union Pacific line into
Missouri Pacific territory is not to his
taste.
There is feeling in railroad circles that
this affair may prove the deathblow To the
presidents agreement. President Miller
said in an interview:
% If that contract cannot be made to
stand there is no use fooling away time
with traffic agreements.
CHICAGO, Dee 29.-President Miller. of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul rail-
road. said this morning that he had called
q meeting of the new consolidat ed associa-
tion of the western roads 10 be held in
New York January 5th. He intimated
that the present complication with the
Union Pacific about the Omaha bridge
matter might interfere.
sIf the contract which the ST Paul road has
with the ITnion Pacific" said Miller, ''eannot be
enforced il will not be expected that any private
agreement the presidents might make viii hold
good The IT. Paai road l. not alone IN the
naht. the Rock Island having also received word
from the Union Pacific that il VIII not be per-
nittesa TO continue the present bridge arrange
ment