Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-23
Chicago d Atoms Hearing.


manifested in the hearing tfat will be given
the Chicago & Alton management tomorrow
by Chairman Finley in answer to the charge
that it has violated the agreement of the
Western Passenger association in refusing to
advance rates from Kansas City to st. Louis
and from st. Louis to Chicago. The Alton
will hot not be represented at the meeting by
any of its officers. A written argument has
been prepared by the general manager and
placed in Mr.. F'inley's hands, and this constt-
tutes the only answer the Alton people have to
make to the accusation that it has acted in
bad faith. This argument simply reiterates
the claim heretofore made by Mr.. Charleton
that the chairman has no authority to order
an advance in rates. 1t holds that no ad-
vance can be made without the unanimous
consent of all the lines interested. This is
1t happens however, that Chairman Finley
did not order the rates to be advanced.
What he did was to withdraw the reduced
rate which he, had previously authorized.
Some time ago, when passenger rates from
st. Louis to Chicago were manipulated by
the Jacksonville IL Southeastern through
scalpers' offices, the chairman gave other
lines authority to meet the competition by
reducing their rate from $50 to $3.50. The
cause for this reduction has been removed.
Mr.. Finley named May 10 as the day on
which the reducedfate would be withdrawn
In the meantime the eastern roads had in.
augurated boycott against the Alton ana
for some reason, the latter company refused
to restore rates. 1t did not ask and obtain
relief on account II the disadvantage it was
placed under by the action of its eastern cou-
nections, but disputed the chairman's right
to make ruling, the effect of which, if
obeyed would be a restoration of former
rates. The Atoms management and Chair
man Finley are both firm In their convic-
tions, and 1t is feared that the dispute will
result in one or the other Withdrawing.
NOT A POPULAR RULING.
1t would be difficult to lind traffic official
OF any western road who does not object to
the ruling of the board of commissioners of
the Western Traffic association that the pub
lished tariffs of through westbound traffic
must be maintained although some of its
eastern connections privately quote lower
rate 1t is probable that someone will appeal
from the decision of the commissioners and
take the matter before the advisory board
gAsT-BoUND RATE MANIPULATE
Suspicion is just now directed at the Chi
cago & Erie road because it has suddenly
secured the dressed beef business of Swift &
Co., whose business heretofore has been given
to the Michigan Central There is no evil
dence that the Chicago 81 Erie is cutting
rates beyond this unexpected diversion OF
traffic, but in the present unsettled condition
of affairs the eastern roads do not need much
evidence to reach the conclusion that their
neighbors are taking advantage of them
The east-bound freight situation is rapidly
becoming go-as-you-p)ease race.
TO INSPECT THE ROCK ISLAND.
President Gable and the board OF directors
of the Rock Island will leave here Sunday
night for the west, their object being to
make careful inspection of all the lines of
the system prior to the annual meeting of the
stOckhOllerS tn be held in this city June