The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-12
RAILROAD NEWS.
Something About to Happen in
Rock Island Affairs.
Fight With Texas Commission
ers viii Soon Burst Out.
OBJECT OF THE BOARD
Trying to Force Rock Island to
Build New Line.
Coalition Formed to Break
Commissions Power.

According to the Denison, Texas, Her
aid, everything points to an early settle
naent and clearing up of the Rock Is
land-Certral situation, which for several
months has been buried in the deep
gloom of oblivion as far as any public
information has been concerned. In the
early part of the summer the transfer
of the Central East and West lines was
weekly expected. The separation of the
Houston &, Texas Central and the Hous-
ton East & West Texas from the South
ern Pacific and their subsequent con-
solidation was generally taken to mean
that a public declaration of Rock Island
control was to be realized Immediately,
and even now there is little doubt in the
minds of well-informed railroad officials
that such was the real intention of the
parties concerned.
Just at that point. however. the inten-
tons of the Rock Island in reference to
the acquired property were clearly set
forth before the commission and rs
opinion awaited. The opinion, which was
not long forthcoming, plainly showed
the attitude Of that body and the rail-
roads interested were satisfied that it
was best to mediate and consider the
situation. The trend of affairs, how
ever, has proved conclusively that the
parties to the contract have no intention
and in fact never have mad any inten-
ton, of reced1ng from the position which
they fist clearly defined to the commits
sion.
Regarding the motive of the commits
sion in refusing to look kindly on the
deal. railroad officials differ. Accord
ing to the railroad men, the commission
desires to force the Rock Island to build
an independent line to the gulf. This
the Rock Island fatty refuses to do.
And again the railroads claim that it
is impossible for the commission to
compel a railroad to spend its money
when it is not disposed to do so.
While nothing has been said officially
there are railroad men who state that
the opinion of the commission has failed
to exercise much influence with the
Rock Island other than to keep under
cover certain developments. changes
and transactions which otherwise would
have been conducted in the open and
given to the public through the press.
1t can be stated that the action of the
railroad commission of Texas has not
yet changed the real and final inten-
ton of the Rock Island concerning it's
determination to manage and operate
the central-east and west lines in which
1t has already obtained a half interest.
Moreover. it can be stated that Rock
Island interest in the central-east and
west lines dates from ADril l.
AS matters now stand the situation
resolves itself into a fight between the
commission and the Rock Island. the
former maintaining that the latter has
no right to proceed without the con-
sent of the commission. and the latter
contendins otherwise.
There is every reason to believe that
both parties to the controversy are pre-
pairing for the greatest contest in the
railroad history of the state.
1t IS learned on reputable authority
that the great railroad systems. of the
state are preparing to lend what as
sistance they may to the Rock Island
in the fight. Railroad officials are by
no means backward in their condemna-
ton OF the railroad commission. it's
policies. it's methods, and as they term
it, its assumption of authority. They
maintain that the commission was in
augurated for emergencies which are
foreign TO present conditions: that it's
powers are now a hindrance rather than
a help to the state and it's citizens; that
the unchecked exercise of those powers
stands in the way of natural develop
ment and growth. Railroad officials
say that the railroads of the state have
reached a distinct understanding as to
their future attitude. They say that it
is the intention of the railroads to
break the power of the commission in
the courts of the state if possible and
the supreme court of the United States
If necessary.
At all events it may be taken as a
certainty that it is the firm determina-
ton of the Rock Island to maintain it's