St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-11
THE ALToN's PREDiCAMENT.
Boycotts on 1t Coming From Two
Directions.

D1fcCI1OHS.
CHICAGO, April lO.-The officials of
the Chicago Il Alton road seem /" be in
very cheerful frame of mind, consider
ing that they are to be boycOttcd not
Dnly by the Trunk Line and Central
Traffic associations on account of their
position on the commission question, but
also by the Southwestern Railway and
Steamship association because of their
proposed reduction in freight rates to
Texas points. They declare that they
have no intention of backing down from
tie stand they have taken in either case
President Blackstone and General Man
ager Chappell, General Passenger
Agent Chealton and General Solicitor
Brown had a conference this afternoon
regarding the passenger situation as
affected by the attitude OF
the Eastern roads. The result
was a determination to stand
by their previously declared policy on
the commission question at all hazards.
They claim to have assurances from
four Eastern roads that the tickets OF
the Alton will continue to be sold and
accepted by them. Besides, there is a
large territory South and West, in
which the paying of commissions is not
prohibited. and where the Atoms
standing will be so much improved with
the ticket agents on the account OF It's
present stand, that the course OF travel
will be Influenced in its favor. 1t VIII
have no trouble i'll continuing 10 40
business in Indiana, Ohio and Michi-
gan, so that in reality the boycott is not
SO serious matter as some people seem
to believe. The managers claim that
the business of their road in the
territory from which they are now
excluded has never amounted TO more
than $50, 200, while they will probably
more than make that up in additional
business thrown to them by grateful
ticket agents in other parts OF the
country. A more serious matter, per
hapS, is the feeling that has been stirred
up against the Alton on account OF Its
reduction on freight rates from Chicago
to Texas points. These rates are to go
into effect tomorrow, and will be six
cents lower on firSt-claSS than the tariff
from Milwaukee, although the rates
from both points have heretofore been
the same. The Atchison and other
ines have applied to Chairman Midgley,
of the Western Freight association, for
authority to meet the Atoms rate by
way of their respective routes.
but Mr.. Mldgley has not COM
piled with this request. He
takes the position that the ATOMS no
tice Is insufficient. and that it cannot,
therefore, legally make the proposed
rates. so there is no necessity of meet
ing them. AS the tariffs are out, and
are to take effect April IL, this decision
of the chairman does not afford much
consolation to the interested lines. The
threat of Chairman Faithorn, of the
Southwestern Railway and Steamship
association. to withdraw the divisions
heretofore existing with the Alton, and
collect full local rates on all Texas bust
ness received from that road, has ap-
parently had no effect upon the Alton.
What will be the outcome of this state
of affairs. it would hardly be safe to
predict. The Alton'S competitors are
not anxious for fight. and will do all
they can consistently to avoid rate
war, although the outlook for an early
restoration of peace and harmony on
the question at issue is not very bright.