Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-17
NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARISE
Prospect That D~iFerential War is Not Yet
Nearing Termination,
FURTHER REDUCTIONS ARE REPORTED
Railroads Make Haste Cutting Rates
Prediction IL Made That when
Minimum In Reached the
Fight VIII Continue.

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Sept. 16.-The war
over Kansas City-Omaha dinerentials to the
southeast has resulted in another cut in the
rates on packing house products. The Bur-
lington has given notice of a cut to D cents
per 100 pounds from Omaha TO Ohio river
points. The Memphis road will today cut its
rate to 3 cents from Kansas City to Mem
phis. Tho Missouri Pacific, having tired OF
doing business for less than the cost Of
transportation, has given notice that It's
tariffs will be restored to the rate prevailing
before the rate cutting began.
No notice OF the information contained
in the foregoing dispatch had been received
by officials of the Burlington road yesterday
morning, and while it is admitted that such
further reductions as noted above may be
made the announcement is yet a little pre-
mature. The Burlington officials here have
not as yet received official Information of
the fifth cut of the Memphis, but, never
theless, 1t is an undisputed fact that its
fifth reduction becomes operative September
is. This being the case and knowledge
of 1t existing in Kansas City it is pre-
sumed that the Burlington officials there
have taken the bull by the horns ana an
nounced a sixth reduction, to become oper-
alive Immediately. The sixth reduction
NAh pilhS II .pulllu6lOu y ldlt ph paw
ing house products to the Ohio river from
Omaha down to 5 cents, whereas 1t was for
merry 90 cents, and on consignments to
Memphis, figured on the proportional basis,
to Q cents instead of the original tariff Of
81 cents. If, as stated in the Kansas City
dispatch, the Memphis line has decided
upon a sixth reduction, bringing the rate
from Kansas City to Memphis down
to 3 cents, 1t has only one further move to
make, and that will be to wipe out the rate
entirely, hauling the freight absolutely free.
Then the Burlington will reduce its rate
from Omaha to Memphis to 3 cents and
the differential for which it has been fight
ing will be in force.
1t was admitted that this may be the
result Of the fight, instead Of a cessation Of
hostilities, as was generally predicted ear
Tier in the week. II the rate is cut Town
to 3 cents from omaha it will be a losing
game for both railroads and the fight will
then be as to which road can stand the loss
the longer time. The Burlington has on its
sighting clothes and is just as determined
to win out in the fight now as it was when
the controversy began. 1t Is true that it
has not received the support from Omaha
which it had expected. This is conceded
by interested outsiders who have followed
the fight closely, and while the Burlington
feels this lack Of support its officials are
not complaining, but are fighting for the
principle Of the thing and do not propose
to lie down to the Memphis line. When
the rate is lowered to 8 cents from Omaha
and tho Memphis line is carrying freight
from Kansas City free a peg will be driven
right there, and 1t is believed that the Mem
phis line win soon, in the parlance of the
school boy gladiator. "holler enough"
At Missouri Pacific headquarters nc
notice had been received Of its with
drawal from the arena in the differen-
tial fight and General Agent Phillippi was
not disposed to place any credence in the
report. stating that Information would as
suredly have been received here, the point
Of interest, before it would have been given
out authoritatively to the press.