The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-07
ROCK ISLAND.
Action Taken About It's Refusal to
Rnn Contracted Trains.

| c1uD rooms TO discuss the matter OF the
violation of the contract made with the
| Rock Island Railroad company to run
the two excursions fixed for December
9Th and 18th. from Horton and Herring
| ton.
Chairman E. H. Crosby explained the
matter to those present. He said that
| the contract was made with z. E. Mac
Leod, assistant general passenger agent
for the Rock Island, to run an excursion
| train from Horton to Topeka and one
from Harrington.
The merchants of Holton, midway be-
tween Horton and Topeka, had objected
| and demanded that the Rock Island
| annuI the contract Upon the demand
| of the HoIton merchants the Rock Is
| land notified Mr.. Crosby that the train
| would not be run.
| The train had been contracted for,
the tickets printed and distributed at
| the different stations, the excursion adj
| vertised and the time card arranged by
| the company.
| the Rock Island to live up to the con-
| tract, but after much correspondence
| by mail and telegraph the higher Off
! Gals refused to run the trains, saying
| that the Topeka office had no authority
| to make such contract and that on no
| condition would the train be run, Mr..
! Crosby called for a general discussion
on the matter.
A sentiment was expressed by several
! merchants present that the Topeka bus
mess men might use the same weapon
the boycOtt-so effectively welded by
the merchants of HoIton who brought
the Rock Island to their terms after
threatening to ship all their goods over
other lines and to induce cattlenen and
others to do the same. No definite ac
ton was taken on this line, although it
was suggested that a quiet getting to-
gether of the merchants on the matter
of routing freight over other roads was
a way to ''get eVen,' unless the Rock
Island made due reparation for what
was regarded by the meeting as a gross
and most unbusiness like violation of a
bonafide contract.
The subject was finally referred to
the committee in charge of the trades
excursions with power to act, to decide
what to do regarding the Rock Islands
breach of contract.
Four additional names were added to
the committee for the purpose of this
particular action, the committee as
completed being: E. H. Crosby, G. 2.
Adams. H A. Auerbach, D. J. Green
wald,- Dell Keller, Frank P. MacLennan,
D. P. Paxton and T. J. Anderson.
The merchants at last nights meet
ing carefully considered the matter of
putting the rates in force for the days
advertised by refunding to all ticket
purchasers the difference between the
advertised excursion rate and the reg
ular rates. The expense, as estimated
would have been very heavy, but many
were favOrab Bile to it and it was only
dropped when it was apparent that the
three hours between the arrival and
departure of the regular Horton trains
was too short time for trading at
such heavy expense to the Topeka mer-
chants.
The committee last above re-
ferred to decided that first of all
explanation was due to all the people
along the route of the advertised ex-
cursions, and at once agreed on the fol-
lowing which was sent out today:
To the People on the Line of the Rock
Island Road Between Horton and Her
on November % the merchants of this
city contracted with the Rock Island for
IEPe It excursion trans to IoPekIa from
ton on December 13. After the excur-
sions had been advertised and all arrange
ments made, the railroad company arbi-
trarily Cancelled the contract and posi-
We, therefore, take this method of no
tifying those interested that it is through
that they are deprived of taking advant-
age of the low rates offered by the mer-
inducements held out to visit the hand
soonest, cleanest and altogether the best
MERGHANTs' CoMMITTEE, CONNER
While the Rock Island refuses to run the
train from iolton, an effort will be made
tunity to visit Topeka at excursion rates
Louth over the Northwestern line and
from McLouth to Topeka over the Leaven-
worth, Topeka and Southwestern.
The following telegram from the
president of the Rock Island road is the
final stand taken by the railroad COM
pany:
Chicago, Dec. 5.
E. H. Crosby, Chairman, Topeka.
The arrangement for special rates
from Horton and Harrington to Topeka
was made by our representative with
out authority from the general pas
senger agent and was by the latter can
celled as being unfair to the business
men of these two cities and against the
general policy of this company. We
would not consider it just to the bust
ness of Topeka if we were to run like
trains from Topeka to Kansas City
while the holiday trade was
w. G. PURDY.
In publishing the above telegram the
State Journal will say in the nature of
comment:
Mr.. Purdy has the reputation of being
a man of high character and honorable
methods, but in justice to the merchants
of Topeka who are concerned i'm this
subject, from their standpoint and best
information, Mr.. Purdy begs the entire
question. The intense feeling upon the
part of the Topeka merchants does not
arise from the position which Mr.. Purdy
takes that the arrangement was unfair
to the business men of Holton and that
I've would not consider it just to the
business of Topeka if we were to run
like trains from Topeka to Kansas City
while the holiday trade was on" The
feeling is all caused by the fact that
these Topeka merchants believe that
the Rock Island has violated the bona
ffde contract. If the railroad company
had taken the stand before the con-
tract which it has after, the great ma
jority of the merchants would have had
no feeling in the matter.
If the Rock Island company considers
it unfair to the business men of Topeka
to run excursion trains to Kansas City,
does the same company not consider it
unfair to the Topeka business men to
revoke a contract made with them?
It is the violation of the contract and
not the stand on the excursion trains