Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-03-22
WILL IT Be NEEDED?
COTTON BELT AND TEXAS AND IA
CIgIC ARE CALLED OFF.
Impression Is That MIR. Kent VIII
Extend Even Further.

Information was received here yes
terday that Chairman Kent OF the
southwestern passenger committee
hau ordered the cancellation of all Grip
pie Creek rates, except those author
i2ed In circular No. 60. issued on March
10.
Upon learning of the facts the Ga
Heltc representative set about to in
Nestigate what was involved ia this
movement of Chairman Kent, but found
local railway people not at all COM
HunicatiNe. 1t is known, however. that
after the proposition on the part of
the Fort Worth and Denver to put in
a one-lare rate to Cripple Creek and
return ON April Z had been twice vot-
ed down by the Southwestern passen-
ger committee, and about two weeks
after that line had taken Independent
action and put on the rate of its own
Nolltlon, and after the Rock Island had
also taken similar action, Chairman
Kent issued circular No. IS, authorizing
the rate Tor one day only and limiting
1t to Fort Worth and points north Of
this city.
But the Cotton Belt decided that 1t
wanted some of the pie and proceeded
to put on a one-lare rate to Fort
Worth in connection with the rate to
Cripple Creek. 1t was this state Of
affairs which led to the prediction in
these columns "A few days ago that
other lines would follow the lead of
the Cotton Belt, and the rate would eX-
tend all over Texas. In support Of that
prediction, 1t is learned from an abso-
lutely reliable source that the Texas
and Pacific has prepared an announce
ment Of "a uue-fare rate from all points
on It's line TO Fort Worth on April Z,
in connection with the excursion to
Cripple Creek.
So oil tlut nf
Chairman Kent is simply intended to
force the Cotton Belt and the Texas
and Pacific to withdraw their one-fare
rates to this city, and contine that rate
exclusively To the Fort Worth ana Dem
Yer, Rock Island and Santa Fee out OF
this city. II Is believed that Chairman
Eents action Is induced by outside
lines, which are apprehenslve that such
rates in Texas viii ultimately force
themselves into their territory, and
they simply wish to call a halt,
The situation here has narrowed
down to "a question Of authority and
the points involved are whether or not
Chairman Kent or General Passenger
Agent sam G.. Warner and General
Passenger Agent CASTOR Mesller
are making the rates on the Cotton
Belt and the Texas and Pacific. An
| other grave question Is whether or not
AIessrs. Warner and Meslier can and
] will agree to recall their announced
| rates and bow in humble submission
To Chairman Kent. or whether thT
will stick to their former action, The
| wires were kept pretty hot in and out
Of Fort Worth yesterday evening. but
! II there We're any further Developments
4 they We're carefully guarded.
1t Is not believed, however, that the
/ Cotton Belt and tho Texas and Pacific
| Will yield 10 the dictatlon OF Chairman
Kent on the contrary the belief seems
/ TO prevail that there IL too much stiff
/ fleming In the spinal column of the two
| limos named to suffer them 10 rescind
/ action already taken.
/ The situation is an Interesting one,
/ and developments will be awaited with
much interest, The impression pre-
walls here that II the Cotton Belt and
] Texas and Pacific maintain their po-
! sitlon there is nothing To keep the rate
/ from extending all over Texas and such
| viii probably be the result.