Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-02-02
HOT TRAFFIC ALLIANCE
Between Santa FL and Rock Island
Officially Confirmed,
A DEAL OF GREAT MAGNITUDE.

General Manager II. U. Nudge has
confirmed the essential features of the
rumored Santa Fe-Rock Island traffic
alliance. says the Topeka State Jour
nal. January 81.
The Santa Fe will build a 60-mile
line from Dodge City to Liberal, Kan,
connecting the Santa Fe main line
with the Rock Island main line. Sur
veyors are now in the field working on
this line.
From Liberal to some point in New
Mexico. where the new Santa Fe cut
off crosses the Rock Island, a distance
Of about $50 miles, the Santa Fe will
use the Rock Island tracks.
From the Santa Fe-Rock Island juno
ton to the Pacific coast, the Rock ISL
and will use the Santa Fe tracks.
That part of the Santa FEES New
Mexico cut off which was to be built
east of the Rock Island junction in
New Mexico will not be constructed.
The plan for rebuilding the Santa
Fe's Pecos Valley lines. and the Pan
handle division will come to naught,
for the through traffic of the Santa Fe
will not be sent south through Wich.
ita, Wellington and Alva, but will go
west from Newton to Hutchinson,
Kinsley and Dodge City, thence south
on the proposed new line to Liberal. I
When asked whether or not the
Rock Island has secured any voice in
Santa Fe affairs By means of purchase
of stock, Mr.. Nudge said:
THAT is something which | know
nothing at all abount. All l know is
that at present it is the plan to build
u line south from Dodge City, in
stead of making our main line over the
Panhandle as was contemplated"
will the proposed Santa Fe cut off
in New Mexico be built east Of its
junction with the Rock Island?"
THAT point has not been fully deter
miend."
The fact that the Santa Fe had sur
veyors in the field south of Dodge City
was reported exclusively some time
ago in the State Journal. The Santa
Fe officials at that time denied all
u iOdSC VI liz ahu oalu tlat
the surveyors must be working for the
Rock Island. In view of recent devel-
opment, 1t may be that the officials
told the truth, and that the surveyors
working for the Rock Island as
much as for the Santa Fe.
The consummation of the Santa Fe
alliance with the Rock Island is a deal
of immense importance, the outcome
of which can not be easily foreseen at
this time. 1t may signify that the big
movement in Santa Fe stock, reported
several weeks ago, in which nearly
SOC. 0CO shares were transferred, was
due TO the attempt of the Rock Island
to obtain a Santa Fe foothold. The
reports of this kind are denied by
President Ripley, who is the official
chiefly concerned with the financial
future of the company.
The Santa Fe and Rock Island have
for some time been on the verge of a
serious conflict, and the consumma-
ton OF the traffic alliance has been
brought about, 1t is believed, by the
fear that such a conflict might result
disastrously to both roads. "Combina-
tion is better than competition" mas
been the key to the delicate situati II
On its part, the Rock Island is no.
satisfied with its FL Paso route to The
coast. II has been suspicious of The
Southern Pacific, which Is a Hartman
line. and not disposed to be friendly
with Harriman's rivals. Consequently
the Rock Island has been boldly plan
Mig for a new line of its W to the
Pacific coast. The natural place for a
new line would be between the Santa
Fe and the Southern Pacific, probably
paraileling the Santa Fe. This was
the club which the Rock Island held
menacingly Eel the Santa Fe.
There Is reason to believe that for
some Tine the Santa Fe has decided
to abandon. its proposed new line via
the Pecos Valley road and the new
cut of. 1t va a surprise when only
a portion of the proposed line was con-
tracted for. Then came a rumor that
surveyors were working for the Santa
Fe south of Dodge City. This rumor
N~a ~ eahAa ~ OhlNlalo htlts
These moves on the part of the Santa
Fe now show clearly its purpose. 1t
was making ready TO threaten the
Rock Island with a parallel line from
Dodge City to the New Mexico juno.
ton.
Each road therefore threatened the
other with a parallel line along a por-
tion of its territory. The only logical
result is a traffic alliance, with a mu-
tual concession Of trackage rights.
Whether the traffic alliance of the
Santa Fe and Rock Island will develop
into a merger is something which only
the financiers who head the rival insti-
tutions are in a position to know. 1t
is not likely, however, that any actual
merger of the two properties under
one management will be carried out
for fba nraoapt Tha Santa To otooE IL