The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-24
STILL DETERMINED TO ENFOR CT,
THE CUT RATES 1T HAS
PROMISED.
GREAT WESTERN ALSO IN IT.
SOUTHWESTERN RAILROADS ARE
BADLY BLOCKADED BY RECENT
SNOWSTORMS.
1nree Lines Agree Upon "a Reduced
schedule to Begin February
Next.

General Manager Underwood Of the
500, and General Freight Agent Marin
ie'"iheu yesterday from Chicago,
"here they met the Western Freight
association in conference, relative to
the $l.O5 rate on merchandise from the
East to the Twin Cities. The confer
ence apparently did not shake Mr. I'm
derwood's determination to nut b,s
rate into effect. The association show
ed Its hand, Informed the general man.
ager or the 500 what 1t proposed to do
IL the rates were put into effect. an
pointed committee to meet with the
SEQ In Chicago, Monday, and talk the
matter over, and then postponed the
matter until that date. Mr.. Under
"0od came home with his mind made
up. lie said yesterday to an official
With quiet determination.
L might as well tear I'D the rails of
the 500 road as to cancel that rate r
nave promised it to the merchants or
the irwin Cities, and they shall have it
Inc rate will go into effect Jan. 30"
his looks as if the 500 had decided
the question once for ALL The road
postponed the operation of the rates
from Jan. 70 to Jan. %, and then to
Jan. 80, with the understanding that
mere was not to be any further delay.
linen the conference Monday might as
We'll be abandoned, in view Of the an
Eouncement above
There was q hot meeting Of the
western Freight associa ton Friday in
Shlcago over the 500 matter, and con-
local Representatives who returned IN
81. Paul yesterday. It is announced nv
cCnpeting lines that the 500 signified
us Willingness to abandon the rate
PROVIDED the association would grant
certain concessions CprobabIy differen-
tlals) demanded by the 500 for two ar
tnree years. A committee, CONSISTING
OF onlclaIs of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
81. Paul, Chicago, st. Paul, Minneap
OILS q Omaha, Wisconsin Central, Chi
cago q Northwestern and the 500. was
appointed to consider the situation
MONDAY. All these roads have connec-
tlons In Northern Wisconsin with the
500 line, and If the roads so desired.
they could harass the 500 on the lat
ters trade in that territory and insti-
tute number Of retaliatory measures.
The Great Western will follow the 500
and put their rates in effect Jan. 80. The
Underwood means what he says, which
is evidence that the 500 is not talking
on wind. At the Chicago meeting. ali
the lines except the Great Western. had
something to say about the situation.
and the silence of the Great Western
would indicate that road is satisfied
with their arrangements. -
One official said that the 500 had
one compromise offered it which might
tempt 1t. The road might become a
member of a regular pool and be al
lotted its regular share Of traffic. It is
doubtful If the 500 would agree to
this, however, as it already has the
best Of it so far as natural location
is concerned.
The Jobbers' union held a meeting
yesterday afternoon to consider the sit
uation, and it is understood that Mr..
Underwood and Mr.. Martin gave as
surances to those present that the
rates proposed a week ago this morn
ing would be positively enforced Jan.
80. What actually transpired at the
meeting is, of course, not known. as
the members all agreed to maintain
silence. However, it is a fact that the
assurances made by the 500 officials
allayed the fears of the local whole
salers.
The compromise which was suggest,
ed at the Chicago meeting was thought
by the competing lines very fair and
equitable, but it is not likely to be
viewed with favor by the jobbers OF
the Twin Cities. 1t was suggested that
instead of applying new class rates,
and cutting rates, that the 500 be al
lowed to establish new commodity
rates on articles most handled by Twin
City jobbers in the Northwest 1t ad-
mitted at the meeting that there were
points in the Northwest to which the
rates from Chicago to st. Paul were
not on an equitable basis. 1t was sug,
gcsted that these points be selected by
the 500 officials and that the rates to
these points be equalized. The compro,
mise. as above stated, Is not at all
likely to be viewed with favor by the
500 or the jobbers.