Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-29
RATE WAR NOT IMPROBABLE
Fast Time Competition May Bring on
Cut in Fares.
SUCH A FIGHT WOULD Be STUBBORN
object would BE TO Force Abandon
ment of Fast
Denver, Omaha and Chi
caEo-Railroad Notes.

A rate war may yet be evolved from the
fast time competition OF the Northwestern,
Burlington and Rock Island between Den
yer, Omaha and Chicago. Some Of the
lines unable TO meet the cut in time
threaten to reduce rates as a means OF
forcing the roads back to the old schedules.
II this recourse is adopted q stubborn night
on rates may be expected, for II would not
be confined merely to the routes over which
the time schedules have been so materially
shortened, but would, in all PROBABILITY
involve the entire systems OF all the lines.
II is believed by some very we'll Informed
railroad men that a retaliation In the
shape Of a rate reduction would not
promptly, but would ultimately, solve the
problem. Meantime this would seriously
oomplicate matters. For instance, II the
Milwaukee, which, by the way. has the
shortest route between Omaha and Chicago,
but which is opposed to putting on the fast
trains, should Join with other roads in let
ting down the bars on fares between here
and Chicago It would be inviting a hazar-
dous competition on It's short route between
Chicago and the Twin Cities by roads
which have a more roundabout line be-
tween these points, and should the Illinois
Central decide TO reduce rates between here
and Chicago its AFFAIRS between Chicago
and st. Louis would suffer as a result, for
II is certain that the roads that have re-
duced their time would not allow such ef-
fectlve means Of retaliation to escape them.
Brought Results Before.
Some 1--WE or six years ago a situation
similar to this one existed. A few roads
put on fast trains and to get even others
reduced their rates. The result was that
q regular rate war ensued between all the
lines until matters reached such a de-
moralized state as to suggest to the several
companies the necessity OF coming to some
terms whereby the trouble could be set
tied. The matter was then submitted to b.
d. Caldwell, formerly chairman OF the
Western Passenger association, for arbi-
tration.
Mr.. Caldwell's decision had the effect of
restoring normal conditions. He decided
that The roads unable to meet the fast time
were entitled to a differentlal rate, which
meant that extra fares should be charged
on fast trains. as is now being done or
all the eastern roads. Before they would
submit to this ruling all the lines abolished
their fast trains and readopted the old
schedules.
This is the predicted outcome OF the
fast train proposition should the rate war
be precipitated.
Changes Its Trade Mark.
The Rock Island has changed its Official
name from the Great Rock Island 10 the
Rock Island system since the acquisition
OF the Choctaw route and the completion
Il the Burlington. Cedar Rapids & North
ern sale by which II takes over that line.
All printed matter of the company will
hereafter bear a new trademark with the
inscription of the new nnme upon II and
nll Office and train equipment will be re-
adorned in a similar manner.
The Rock Island has at last completed
its new track from Fnrlbault, Mimi, into
st. Paul, which gives 1t entrance into the
Twin Cities over Its own line, an end to
which 1t has been long working. This new
track will not be used, however, for some
weeks. as there is some minor work to be
done in the way Of finishing touches.
Passenger Association Meeting.
Monday many, IL not all, the assistant
general passenger agents in Omaha will 60
to Chicago to attend the meeting OF the
Western Passenger association, which Is Ia
be held Tuesday. Local men say the mat
ter Of the alleged threatened collapse OF
the association will not come before this
meeting. but will. II there is anything in
the report, be taken up later by the genera
passenger and higher officials Of the roade
interested. 1t is still urged. however, tina
the association is in no danger whatever
Of dissolution. There may be some differ.
ences among the ~oficials whic hdemapd at
tention and these matters will be settled
ut the meeting Tuesday.
Railway Notes and Personals.
r. l.. McCabe, assistant general passen
ger agent of the Omaha at st. Paul., is II
the city on official business.
Alfred barlow, general Advertising agen
Of the Union Pacific, is in Chicago.
Peter Whitney, townsite agent of tn
Pioneer TOWNSHIP company OF the Elkhorn
has just completed some large sales on tn
Verdigris and Bonesteel extension of tn
road. At Anoka, Bristow and Monowi
total Of l2S lots were sold at an aggregate
of SOS SIS.