The San Francisco call., 1899-12-03
SANTA FE JOINS
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
RumOrS of a New Rail-
road Combine.
WILL DESTROY COMPETITION
AGREEMENT TO TAKE OFF THE
SUNSET LIMITED.
Prominent Railroad Men say That an
Allotment Has Been Made Of
the Traffic Each Road Is
to Handle.
WILL DESTROY COMPETITION
AGREEMENT TO TAKE OFF THE
SUNSET LIMITED.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CHICAGO, Dec. 2.-Representatives Of
the Rio Grande Western, Denver and Rio
Grande and Burlington and Rock Island
railroads have been in conference in this
city for several days ostensbly to discuss
time card matters. but 1t now appears the
meeting was called to consider much
graver questions. Officials of these roads
declare they have learned particulars of
a secret compact entered into by the
Southern Pacific and Atchison. Topeka
and Santa Fe railroads. and are convinced
their interests will suffer very severly II
the alleged compact is allowed To stand.
The people of California and the Pacific
Coast generally are intensely interested in
this matter, as the effect of the combina-
ton would be to nullify competition on
the coast and rob them of the long-her-
aided benefits to be received by the en-
trance of the Sante Fe into San Fran
cisco.
IL is charged by the officials Of the rival
roads that the Southern Pacific agreed TO
take off the Sunset Limited" which for
merly ran over the Chicago and Alton.
Iron Mountain and Texas and Pacific rail-
roads, in order TO give the Santa Fe u
clear field in hrst-clasS travel TO South
ern California. 1t was announced that
this train was temporarily abandoned be-
cause of extensive improvements baing
made in the track of the Texas and Pa
! cific road. but in point of fact, that line
has never been in better condition than
at present.
\ representative of one of the Western
roads said to-day: while il has been
generally supposed the Santa Fe had sue
ceeded in shutting out the Southern Pa
cihc road from participating in first-class
travel TO and from Southern California,
/ the Southern Pacific last year actually
carried over 90 per cent of this class Of
business.
The effect of this combination is 10
practically pool California traffic. Large
concessions have been made by the South
ern Pacific 10 the Santa Fe on Southern
California business, and the Santa Fes
demand on San Francisco business nave
also been complied with in the allotment
of large passenger traffic TO that COM
pany Voluntarily by the Southern Pacific
Other concessions We're made and all
classes OF business are practically con-
tro!led by the combination.
The compact provides for the delivery
Of special trains TO the Santa Fe Com
pany at Chicago only. which shuts out the
Rock Island Company from participating
iii the Raymond and Whitcomb excursion
business westbounu, that company having
heretofore handled the Raymond AZ
Whtcomb special trains from Chicago to
Kansas city, delivering them at that
point TO the Santa Fe road. The pooling
plan also nullifies existing contracts for
delivery of special trains from California
TO the Iron Mountain road, as the South
ern Pacific insists on hauling special
trains through 10 New Orleans. The
agreement even goes so far as TO include
the Pacific Coast also military business
There is no doubt the Southern Pacific
is making every effort TO subsidiZe the
Santa Fe. and all appearances indicate
they have succeeded. This will be a great
blow To the people of San Francisco, who
have regarded the entrance of the Santa
Re as a great boon for that city. AS a
matter of fact, the Southern Pacific has
apparently increased its real power by
making concessions which will prevent
the Santa L from Offering any special
inducements to shippers and travellers
when its San Francisco line is ready for
business.
There is no doubt large diversions of
traffic are being made 10 the Santa Fe
Company by the Southern Pacific. and II
is believed q per cent of the San Fran
cisco business and 80 per cent of the
Southern California business has p.en
guaranteed that company. even if ii has
to be paid over by the Southern Pacific"
An official OF one Of the Western roaIs
thus sums the situation: THE efforts
of the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe