Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-12-25
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

~ L W tOtkh. Dtt. --."l lie pTOSptI'
ity which the railroads throughout the
country are now enjoying is III one
respect different from any period OF
prosperity which railroads have en-
joyed in the past. Railroad officials
generally agree that. the rate situation
in all sections of the country is in a
better condition than ever before The
scheduled tariffs are being almost
universally maintained while there is
practically no cutting of rates by any
OF the railroads. Never before has
the rate situation throughout the
country appeared so perfect and this
is generally considered one of the
main reasons OF the excellent show
ing OF earnings which the railroads
have made during the last year. The
railroads have enjoyed many periods
of prosperity in the past, but in prac-
tically every instance this prosperity
has been interrupted by rate distur-
Dances.
Since 1895 there has. been a steady
= Improvement in the rate conditions
throughout the country as being al
most ideal. Determinations in rates
have been almost wholly abolished
and the scheduled tariffs being main
tanned as never before. This is con
sidsred not only one of the main
causes of the excellent earnings,
which the railroads are now reporting
but one of the strongest reasons for
the belief that the prosperity the rail
roads are enjoying will continue, with
temporary reactions, for an indefinite
period
There are a number OF causes for
the excellent rate conditions One OF
the reasons why the rates are
being so uniformly maintained is
the large amount of traffic offered the
railroads. which gives no incentive
for cutting rates. The community of
interest movement whereby the great
er proportion of the railroad mileage
of the country has been brought un-
der the control OF few groups OF
financiers. also has been a powerful
factor in clearing up the rate situa
tion. Through this movement many
of the smaller and weaker roads.
which We're continually cutting rates
in the attempt to secure traffic from
their stronger competitors have been
absorbed.
Another favorable factor is that
during the last few years there has
been little or no competitive railroad
building While the new mileage that
has been constructed has aggregated
considerable amount it has been
composed almost wholly OF short
branches and extensions.
;t h., lN., hot
rate disturbances have been forever
eliminated from the railroad indus
try it is believed by many prominent
railroad officials that the develop
ments pointed out have wrought such
a revolution that any general dis
turbance of rates as occurred in 1881
and 1890 have been made impossible
in the future so strong are the allied
roads which are against the practice.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-For two
weeks past the familiar gypsy kettles
have stood suspended from tripods
on the street corners of the metropo
lis to receive donations for the Christ
mas dinners which the Salvation
Army gives to the poor, each each
year. aud the pots have been kept
boiling" with such effect that the or
ganization expects to be able to fill
% 900 stomachs with turkey and ac-
compartments day after tomorrow.
The mammoth feed will be spread in
the Grand Central Palace, the army
having been unable to secure Madi-
son Square Garden which has been
us d in former years. The menu will
include soup. beef, bread, turkey, po-
tatoes, turnips, apples. oranges and
plum pudding. Besides the thousands
who will be fed in the Grand Central
other thousands will be fed at home
by the Salvation Army lads and las
sizes who will spend the day in dis
tributing well-laden baskets.
NEW YORK. Dec. 22.-The new
central building and statuary hall of
the Metropolitan Museum of Art was
formally opened today Mayor Low
and other city officials, together with
large number of prominent artists
and critics. attended the opening
ceremonies. The new structure.
which is to serve as the main en-
trance to the museum, was finished
last spring at a cost of 81 .040 600.
DEN V En-, IOlO.s Det. 1S-l he
state canvassing board adjourned un-
til this afternoon when a decision will
he rendered regarding contested seats
in the house. Upon them depends the
election of Senator Teller to succeed
himself If the republicans gain two
t leihywhlvae. 80. RmTKe SHRNULD
thev will have a majority and cast out
thirteen Democrats on the charge of
fraud. probably electing Wolcott,
NEW YORK. Dec. 22.-Cornelius
VaNderhilt is much improved today.
EVANSVILLE. Ind, Dec. 22.-The
Louisville & Nashville is to have
connection with the Southern Indiana
at Evansville, where the Louisville
& Nashville has established extensive
new terminals. Surveys have been
completed for the Southern lndiana's
new line between Terra Haute and
this citv and President James X.
Walsh of the Indiana line is having
plans prepared for an extension to
Chicago which it is claimed will
save fifteen miles of distance from
Evansville to Chicago. The new Ter
ra Haute Evansville line will run