The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-08

Large Amount of Traffic Gathered
I'm by the Canadian Pacific Which
Properly Belongs to the American
Roads - -Antt-COmmissiOn Agree
mcDt Took Effect on Feb. lair Is
Now Filled With RumOrs.
Reports from the West Indicate a belief
that the Northern Pacific will withdraw
from the anti-commission agreement If a
chance offers. 1t IS stated that the road
will shortly issue its ultimatum to the
other interested lines and that in the
event that it decides to go out, the Great
Northern will stand with II on the com,
mission proposition. The reason given
for the conclusions is that the situotion
I'm the West is unelualed and that both
the American roads ere tired of seeing
the business go through Canada when it
would naturally take an American route
except for the commission agreement.
1t IS generally admitted in the Twin
Cities that the c. I. R. in connection
with the 500 has gathered in a large
amount Of business which properly be
longed 10 the Great Northern and North
ern Pacific Officials Of the latter lines
profess TO care nothing for this condition
and represent that they have sufficient
business to maintain a general hustle to
care for it. The anu-commission agree
ment Is five weeks old. 1t became er-
fective on Feb. l, and at the time was
given from six weeks to two months to
last. The air for three weeks and more
has been filed with rumors that different
roads would break away and the latest
report which concerns the two coast
lines is not a surprise.
Officials of both the Great Northern
and the Northern Pacific were seen yes
terday and asked what basis Of truth
the report has. No definite information
was given out and the replies received
We're not conclusive. A Northern Pacific
officer said OF the anti-commission agree
ment and its workings:
Il am not in a position to make a
definite statement that the agreement
will last Neither can I say that the
Northern Pacific will pull out ard notify
the other parties to the agreement that
we will pay commissions. There are sew
eral features of the agreement which
have brought about conditions which are
not desirable, and personally 1 do not
think that 1t will remain as a permanent
fixture. The proposition to apply a gen
eral rule to business carried on under =
thousand different methods and condi.
tions would naturally result in a measure
of dissatisfaction. l do not care to dts,
cuss the report. All 1 can say is that l
have not been advised of such action
The anu-commission agreement was
framed by the highest. American railroad
officials" said a Great Northern repre-
sentative, and 1t cannot be broken with.
out their action. If President Hill con.
siders it good policy to withdraw in sup
port Of such action by the Northern Pa
cifc, it is possible that we may again pay
commissions. I have heard nothing up 10
date to justify such conclusion. The
Canadian Pacific has undoubtedly cap,
tured business to which we were right.
fully entitled but I am of the opinion
that before withdrawing from the agree
ment, the northern coast lines will first
make an effort to force the Canadian Pa
cific into joining in the agreement by re-
fusing to accept interchange business and
by Withdrawing their tickets from sale IN
our offices as we'll as those of tie other
anti lines"