Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-02-06

or line CATTLE III his state. He was,
during the seventies, connected with
the land department of the railways
mentioned but is known to have long
ago severed all connection with them,
and while a member of the state leg
islature introduced and was instru-
mental in the passage of a law equaliz-
ing freight rates. His opinion is as
unbiased and free from unfair interest
as that of any experienced man in his
section. Consequently it is of value.
His reply to the request from the
Transcript follows:
while connected with the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern railways
l had nothing to do with transportation
matters. My connection with those
roads was az land commissioner. and
had but little to do with matters per-
tanning to questions Of traffic; trans-
portation problems never intruded in
my office. What I may say on the
subject of your letter must therefore
be largely from the standpoint of my
experience as a shipper and ordinary
patron of the roads.
Without Information as to the real
purpose of the Northern Securities
company beyond what has been pub
lished, I do not now see that the con
solidation of the railway companies
embraced by it will work any injury
to shippers and other patrons of the
roads. There has been, practically.
so far. as the shippers interests have
been concerned. a consolidation Of The
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
roads ever since they were completed
in u northwest; that is, at all COM
peting points there have been by agree
ment, tacit or otherwise, the same
rates of passenger and freight charges
to terminal points, based upon the dis
lance upon the shortest line. 1t is
possible that they may have pooled
their business at such points, buttthat,
vi W" IAo puUltC 10
to know anything about. At all other
points on the two lines I understand
that passenger and freight rates are
practically the same per mile, long
and short haul rates worked out as
only railway traffic managers know
how. There has, in fact, been a grad
ual reduction in rates the past few
years, as the increased business of the
roads seemed to warrant, and there is
no reason to suppose that the same
policy will not continue.
Il have been a shipper of grain and
live stock over the Northern Pacific
road for some eighteen years, and
while with every carload would have
been glad to have been given a lower
rate, I never thought the rate excess
i've, and when comparing rates of other
roads having about the same volume
of business, never found them so.
IF Is a result of this combination
economies can be exercised in the OPP
Grafton of roads that will reduce cost
Of transportation, l shall look for cor
responding reduction in rates, and SO
long as economical management is not
carried so far as to create discomfort
to passengers or. delay freight in tran
sit, I doubt if the general public will
care a rap as to whether the roads are
under the management OF one or two
heads.
sYou ask whether in my opinion the
step is advisable or even made excus-
able by circumstances. 1 take it that
it was a financial scheme, and, not ac-
quainted with the financial condition
of any of the corporations interested,
I cannot answer the question satisfac-
torily. AS I understand it this *mer-
ger is for the purpose of obtaining a
joint ownership Of the bonds and
stocks Of the companies; such owner
ship carrying the power to direct and
control the operation of the roads. If
the owners did not think it would be
to their interest TO own Jointly and
control under one management, ! as
sumo there would have been no mer-
ger. The necessity for it, however,
is not apparent to an outsider. AS a
patron Of. the Northern Pacific 1 have
no cause for complaint, and do not
see how the combination will give me
any better service or cheaper rates,
unless, a before said. possibilities OF
nor economical management may
permit both.
1T is feared by some that the COM
bination Of interests will not only do
away with all possibilities of compe-
tition but will also result in advance
of rates and all the ills that can come
from the arbitrary exercise of monop-
olistic control. 1t is true there is
power to take advantage Of the mon
opoly and make excessive rates. but
well established business nrincinIes