Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-23
LOOK FOR GRAIN RATE WAR
Western Freight officials Prepare for Sharp
Conflict This Fall.
DUE TO HILLS CUT IN SHIPPING PRICES
Missouri River-ChicngO Lines Will
Combine to Fight NOrthwestern"
ers and Keep Grain from
Going Through Duluth.

A lively fight among western railroads
over grain rates between transmissouri
river territory and Chicago is likely to
ensue as q result Of the heavy cut made
by the Hill lines In grain rates from the
northwest. It is held that President Hills
prompt response to the request OF the
farmers OF the northwest that rates be
lowered contemplated the shrewd scheme
Of diverting the great bulk Of the western
grain crop to Duluth, thence to Atlantic
seaports and across the waters on Hill
steamers.
To head OF such a scheme ~oficials OF
western lines have been in conference for
several days aud a desperate effort Is
under way to check It. At a meeting Of
~oficials in Chicago Thursday, however, no
satisfactory terms were agreed on and
there is much CONSERVATION now for fear
that no restraining action can be devised.
Al had already been published the west
ern lines generally intended to advance
rates on grain on August IS. which, in view
of the tremendous crops, would have
Swelled the revenues Of every road. But
thus far no such advances have been made,
and how any can be made in view Of HIS
recent action is what is puzzling the freight
men just at present, None Of the roads
represented at the conference in Chicago
Thursday offered to stand by the original
purpose Of increasing rates, and the Wabash
and Burlington announced the cancellation
Of their order to reduce rates this month
and the matter was left in a very unsettled
and unsatisfactory state.
Rates Now In Eject.
Al present there is a proportional rate Of
8 cents ON grain from Omaha to st. Louis
and 0 cents to Chicago. and a proportional
OF z and s cents from Kansas City to St
Louis and Chicago, respectively.
"These rates are scandalously low said
a local freight man yesterday, land we are
hoping they will not be reduced any fur
Their"
General Freight Agent Crosby Of the Bur-
lington q Missouri River has gone to Chi
cago to endeavor through higher officials Of
the Burlington to bring about some action
that will maintain the rates and prevent
another SLUMP. Mr.. Crosby doubtless is
pursuing the course OF many others in his
position, and what their efforts will come
to is regarded as entirely problematical.
The general impression is that before the
western lines will submit to Hills divert
ing the bulk of grain which usually goes
into Chicago to Duluth they will make a
horizontal reduction in rates to Chicago.
And IL is believed in this they would have
the cooperation or lines east OF chicago.
On this point a stubborn battle is looked
for, but II is believed that with all the
western lines that do not enter the north
west arrayed together against the North
ern Pacific and Great Northern and the
Milwaukee meeting Hills exact figures the
great Minnesota magnate may not have al
together smooth sailing. Unanimity Of ao-
tion between the lines seems to be assured.
At present there is but one road publicly
quoting a rate higher than those agreed on
and stated above and that is the Omaha,
Kansas City q Eastern, the Stilwell line,
which has a rate OF 8 cents on wheat from
Kansas City to Mississippi river points.
But this line is not a formidable factor
and no trouble on it's account is anticipated.
Invading San Joaquin Valley.
Colonization Agent McDonnough OF the
Union Pacific says that road will soon
place a large number of Dunkards on a
tract Of land comprising 1880 acres in the
San Joaquin valley, near Kingsbury, Fresno
county, Cal. Mr.. McDonnough returned
from that country only a few days ago and
will go back next Thursday to perfect ar
engagements for the Introduction Of this
train Of immigrants.
I'VE are engaged in the most extensive
colonization scheme In the San Joaquin
NeAANJ AASA eAob bASob Observation-Disclosures
country has ever SEEN" said Mr.. Melon
nough. I'VE are devoting special efforts TO
settling up that rich territory already
we'll Inhabited and Astounding In mineral
and agricultural wealth. 1t is the most fer
tile part OF the state and the center OF the
great raisin and fruit country. Fresno, a
Aourishing city Of some 5000, is the
metropolis of this territory and there are
other splendid towns and cities which are
steadily growing. We are planning to CO
operate with Californians In establishing
new irrigation canals in addition to the al
ready wonderful watering facilities and re-
sources Of this section. In the Modesto
country, north of Fresno, a new canal has
been completed which will, It is believed,
surpass even the great 'seventy-six' canal.
which runs through Fresno. Tulare and
Kings counties"
The Union Pacific is promulgating reduced
rates to California and Oregon and Wash
tngton. as we'll in connection with its plan
OF colonization and tickets on a reduced
basis viii be sold every day during Septem.
Der and October. From Chicago a one-way
rate will be made OF 1888 and from Missouri
river points a rate of s25 will be in force,
Corresponding rates for intermediate points
will also be in force.
SUSPENDS PATR0LMAN FLIP