The Helena independent., 1892-09-12
THERE'S A BIG ROW ON.
Transcontinental Railroad Associa-
ton Is Showing Signs Of Co
ing to Pieces
A Fight Also In Progress Between
the Northern and Union
Pacif1cs.
The Canadian Pacific Serves Notice Of Its
Withdrawal From the Combination
Of Roads

The Transcontineptsl association has
virtually received its dsstn blow, and ac-
cording to present indications \ serious
fight ON Pacific coast freight and passenger
rates will be inaugurated next January.
After futile efforts had been made At the
Chicago meeting Of ths general passenger
agents of the Transcontinsntal linAs to
bring about an adjustment Of the existing
troubles, the Canadian Pacihc gave formal
notice Of withdrawal from both the freight
and passenger departments OF the Trans
continental association, to bscome effective
Jan. !, 1898. The reasons assigned by the
Canadian Pacific for withdrawal from the
association are the action OF the Southern
Pacific in holding the Canadian Pacific In
the anomalous position of charging Ameri-
can domestic shippers higher rates from
the Atlantic seaboard than the Southern
Pacific charges importers from European
ports through to the Pacific coast, the fact
that other lines in the association have
utterly demoralized the rates. both on
freight and passenger business, and their
open admission that such IL the case. and
the associations inability to remedy mat
1ers.
The Canadian Pacific representative made
strong efforts to secure CONCESSIONS from
Chairman Vining and the Southern Pacific
people, but the latter we're deaf to all en-
treaties, and persisted in refusing all de-
mands. Finding that it WAS impossible to
bring about change in the existing condi-
tion of affairs the Canadian Pacific served
its notice of withdrawal.
Hone is still entertained by some of the
roads that u settlement of the passenger
troubles can be secured, and another meet
ing of the passenger officials will be held.
The prospeot of an Adjustment of the trou-
bles. however. is meager, Inasmuch as the
southern Pacific positively refuses to aban
don the payment of commissions on em!-
grant traffic by way of New Orleans. The
Santa Fe seems to be determined to with
draw from the association if the payment
of excessive commissions ls not stopped.
and proposes to put into effect a rate of
&14.2O on smigrant business from the Mis-
souri, river TO the Pacific coast.
Three roads have now given notice OF
withdrawal. namely, the Rio Grande e.
Western, Great Northern and Canadian
Pacific. 1t is almost certain that the Santa
Fe will be the next to follow. But besides
there is row IN progress between the
Union and Northern Pacific railroads which
is certain to agg"avate the situation and
prevent an amicable settlement OF Pacific
coast passenger affairs, A short time ago
the Northern Pacific secured ruling in the
courts that it is justified in refusing to
honor through tickets issued by the Union
Pacific to local rolnts on its line. day
or two ago the Union Pacific issued orders
to agents and connections to withdraw all
through tickets to pugt Sound points
from Portland to destination and substi-
tuts for same regular exchange order
tickets to be drawn on W. II. Hullburt,
assistant general passenger agent at Port
land. This means that the Union Pacific
will furnish passengers to Puget Sound
points with local tickets from Portland to
destination, for which, of course. it has to
pay full local rates to destination.
The Northern Pacific is now out with an.
other circular requesting connecting roads
not to comply with the request of the
Union Pacific system. as it has been deter
mined BY the courts that business need not
be accepted from connections at any points
except by agreement, and the circular OF
the Union Pacific is simply an evasion
of the law. This puts connecting lines
in an awkward position. as they do not
like to an:aeonizs the Union Pacific or
Northern Pacific.
After four days of profitless wrargling
over the Pacific coast rate situation, the
passenger meeting OF the Trauscontinental
association Adjourned, subject to the call
or bn6 CHAIRMAN. / lie only re6ulb OF tle
meeting that has thus far developed is the
withdrawal oe the Canadian Pacific from
the organization. Every effort to reach al
amioab Bile adjustment of existing differences
fell fiat. For a while, when the
meeting was considering the report
of committee appointed to sub
NIT resolutions on the rate question. il
looked as if an agreement might be effected.
Much of the report received the unanimous
approval of those present, bnt when it pro-
posed plan for regulating immigrant
traffic the Southern Pacific pt omptly kicked
the whole thing over. That company re-
fused with az much emphasis as ever to
sign an agreement providing for uniform
commissions or the establishment Of a
joint agency in Now York for the distrlbu-
tlon of Immigrant traffic west of tha NJ Is-
souri, river. 1t has its own agents III Eu-
rope and declines to give up ,ts advantage
Besides, since the Canadian Pacific haa
given notica of withdrawal from tho 1880
citation, the Southern Pacific takes the
ground that it would not be policy for it to
enter into any agreelnen for the mainten-
ance OF rates. 1t prefers to be free to fight
the relving Ioai. Before the meeting fin
ally adjourned it WAS evident to all that no
form of agreement that could be proposed
would be accepted by the Southern Pacific.
One of the Rate Problems.
In order to meet the action of the M lis