Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-12
N IH"T A. TO
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al. ItlIIlN mthlIlIy WIN
COTTON BELT FIRM

The Southwestern Passenger COM
mittee which assembled Tuesday in st.
Louis. has adjourned without taking
any decisive action in the matter OF
existing passenger complications,
1t is true that the Cotton Belt peo-
pie cancelled their notice of with
drawal. which was TO have gone into
effect on January 81, but at the same
time they took occasion to renew
their demand for dlilerentials. The
action of the Cotton Belt in cancelling
the notice of withdrawal cannot by
any means be construed as an evil
dence OF weakening. The uncondiiion-
al cancellation OF the withdrawal was
accustomed wholly by the desire to
free the situation from any influence
presenting the appearance OF dis
position to force measures.
The committee was unable TO come
TO any agreement In the matter, and
finally dumped IL bodily upon the
shoulders OF the executive officers, Just
where II rested before and they are to
exert themselves In an effort to effect
an arrangement that will prove salts
factory to all interests.
While the Cotton Belt people os-
tensibly cancelled their notice of with
drawal, there Is nothing to prevent Its
renewal In the event that their de-
mands are not compiled with.
The 3lst day OF January, the
time specified in the former
notice. Is Just twenty days off.
This time will AFFORD the Cotton Belt
ten days allowance for the executive
officers to come to an understanding
and agreement, and In the event of
their failure to do so. upon the ex-
piration OF that time, the Cotton Belt
gfIiI yi Of
the general agreement by giving ten
days notice and get out of the asso-
citation on January 81
The fact that the st. Louis meeting
was entirely unable TO bring about
any satisfactory adjustment may be
accepted as conclusive evidence that
neither side is prepared to make any
concession, and there is no other al
Tentative but for the Cotton Belt to
quit.
The opinion was freely expressed
here yesterday that the other mem
bers OF the association would accede
to the Cotton Belts PROPOSE
ton under no circumstances, and
1t was also agreed that the Cotton
Belt clearly means business. Having
come to the parting OF the ways, there
is no ether alternative but for each to
Will undoubtedly be the result
When the Cotton Belt comes out of
the association and establishes the
demanded dlfferentiRl In its own favor
on business to Texas points, IL can
safely be assumed that competing
lines will not sit still and complacent-
~ view the diverting OF the bulk OF
business into this territory over the
Cotton Belt, For every piece of pie in
sight there will he several eager hands
extended and amy rate made by the
Cotton Belt viii be promptly met by
the competing lines.
This. then. will result in hot
scramble for everything In sight, and
such Generalization OF rates as has
not been seen In the southwest for
years. AS the other lines meet the
Cotton Belts self-made difrerential,
that line VIII have to come lower In
order to re-establlsh II. and so rates
Will come tumbling until no man can
figure out the result.
1t looks very much as II the Cotton
Belt has the other lines by the hip.
and In any event VIII hnve what II
wants. II the other lines refuse to
give 1t up and look pleasant over 1t.
they may confidently expect to have
II taken away from them. That seems
to be the situation In a nutshell
That the St Louis meeting was
lamentable failure Ia very much to
be deplored. In view OF the short cot
ton crop and generally adverse bus
mess conditions the revenues OF all
roads In the southwest have been so
impaired as to render them In no con-
dillon at this time to enter Into a
passenger war, the only effects OF
which must necessarily be further
curtailment of the sinews OF war.
But II seems when a railway gets
Ats spinal column and bristles raised
there must be fight, Just as II there
was nothing OF financial nature to
be considered. And the beneficent re-
suits to the public are really doubt
full after ALL The deficiency In rev.
enues must be provided for In some
way, and II has TO come out of the
roads earnings. which. OF course. rep
resents that roads services to the
public. 1t is better for all interests
that these matters should run along
In smooth channels. and even yet. II
is to be hoped these differences may
be adjusted.