The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-27
Position of Santa Fe on Immi-
grafton Pool Criticised.
Said to Be Playing Dog in the
Manager.
ONE CHANCE TO SETTLE
Santa Fe May Be Forced to
Recede.
Rock Island Demands a Larger
Share of Proceeds.

Chicago. Dec. 27.-Strong and deter
mined efforts are still being made to
adjust differences between western and
trauscontinental lines with respect to
affairs in the immigration bureau main
tanned in New York by the western pas
senger. association, and not only restore
the conditions prevailing before tbs
Rock Island withdrew from member
ship. but also eliminate or placate the
independent. competition for immigrant
traffic. which has been like big thcrn
In the side of the association.
An Official who is in a position TO
know what the situation is, what the
peacemakers are trying to do and why
nothing is accomplished, says:
1t seems to me to be like the case OF
disa greeing children and the unwilling
ness of one to allow its companions 10
play in its back yard unless 1t can nave
things all its own way Inc lmpresSl'll
has been conveyed that the settlement
of the trouble rests entirely between the
Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific; that
none of the other lines are Wiling 10
give up any share of their percentage
in order to satisfy the demands of the
Rock Island forean increased share IN
tie division of the business.
The fact is, that after the Rock IS
land and the Union Pacific withdrew,
the latter in coming back offered 20
interest of peace. or it was equally
agreeable to abandoning the present
methods and adopt -you-please
arrangement upon the same basis as
fzed. But even the liberal disposition
failed to make an impression or enlist
SANTA FE BLAMED.
''While indisposed to indulge in severe
criticism. it looks to an unprejudiced ana
disinterested individual as though the
Santa Fe is the one which has adopted
a dog in the manger policy That the
Rock Island is entitled, with its enlarged
system. to a greater percentage than
formerly cannot be successfully contro-
verted-
In fact. this seems to be pretty we'll
conceded, but greater percentage can
not be given if the present schedule IS
not changed. The Santa Fe refuses stub
bOrnly to recede an inch from the pos
ton ii has maintained from the first
Now. this. in my judgment, is absurd
when certain points relating to the 1m>
migrant business and the relations or
the Southern Pacific with the immigrant
bureau are considered. That road is not
a member. 50 why should it be con-
cerncd with the internal affairs of the
bureau and its management.
Moreover. 1t made a contract with
the bureau, and it stands by that con-
tract. There is not the slightest season
why it should be otherwise. In any
event, there is no earthly way by which
1t can be deprived of the immigrant
business handled through it's CalifornIN
gateways.
1T is carrying out the terms of the
contract. and if the bureau cannot do SO
with respect to its part. that is no con-
Germ Of the Southern Pacific. If the con-
tracts provisions are not to be adhered
to, then what is it good for?
SANTA FEE FAVORED
when the Santa Fe's line through to
the coast had been established it made
the same demand that the Rock Island
has and although a new division was
made without objection by the Rock Is
land or other lines. the Santa Fe is not
now willing TO give up anything in order
10 meet the Rock Island reasonable
wishes So it can hardly be said. under
the circumstances, that the Santa Fe's
attitude is either fair or consistent.
IF the Santa Fe continues to maintain
its position there does not appear to be
any hone of an adjustment. The other
lines are becoming FESTIVE with long
a delay. and some of them may grow so
tired OF the dispute as to conclude it is
useless to undertake to maintain the
bureau which is an expensive institu-
ton.
with the Rock Island on the outside
and pursuing the even tenor of its way
the division of the expense means a
greater burden for other lines than they
had TO sustain when the Rock Island was
in the bureau, and this is one of the
things that tends to make some of them
dissatisfied.