The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-10-23
TROUBLE OVER
CAN TRANSFERS
5RIJuETTlNG COMPANY AT KEN.
MARE HAS DIFFICULTY IN
SWITCHING CARS.

Bismarck, N. d., Oct. 2S.-There
seems TO be a revival Of the old trou-
Bile in the north part of the state
over the matter OF transferring cars
from the 500 line to the Great North
'ern branch lines. The latest Is a com
piaint lodged with the railroad COM
mission by the Briqueting Co. of Min
rleapolis In this regard
This company operates extensive
mines at Kenmare. this state besides
g large light and power plant. The
National people claim that in billing
Ignite from their mine at Kenmare
to points on the Great Northern
branches north and south from the
Wheat line of the 500, they are un-
able to get any rate from the 500
excepting by way OF Minot, although
they have repeatedly requested that
the rates via. short routing connec-
tions be allowed as provided by North
Dakota statutes. The complaint says
the 500 claims that in view OF the
fact no switching connections exist at
Lansford, Russell, Omemee, the lines
that run to Sarles, Rolette, Blsbee, Egg
land, Olnlstead. Conway, Forest River
and Ardock the Great Northern re-
fuses to cooperate in the establish
ment of short route rates to their
branch line points in spite Of the fact
that North Dakota statutes provide
specifically for these rates under such
conditions.
The National Brriquetting Co.
expresses the belief that there is a
principal involved which is of vital
Importance to the people of North
Dakota, as well as to the mining in
terests of the state, and asks the rail-
road commission of this. state to as
sist them in securing their rights.
The same company under the same
kdate lodge another complaint against
the 500 Line Co., claiming they are
unable to get the railroad company to
switch cars, empty or loaded, from
their mine near Kenmare to tho 500
track, although a spur track is al
| ready in place and which is owned by
the National people. The spur is con-
siderably less than two miles long and
complainant states that as they un--
derstand 1t, any railroad is compelled
to do such switching for a coal mine
within two miles OF their line. pro-
vided the company operating the mine
| is willing to furnish an indemnity
bond agreeing to furnish the company
not less than 100 carloads within one
| year Of the commencement OF such
| switching and this the National people
claim they are willing to do.
The 500 claims that to make the
spur safe for their standard engines
| 1t will require some surfacing few
new ties and possibly some bracing
| for one bridge.
In order to save the railroad COM
pany the cost of installing a spur of
their own, as required by law, for the
Briquetting Co.'s service they claim to
| have offered the railroad company the
use of their spur If they would do the
little repair york which in the jung
ment of their track men seems neces-
1 sary, but it is claimed they are unable
| to get any definite action. The Ma
| National people also claim that they
/ own fifty-foot right of way from
/ the 500 Line to their mine on which
very little grading would have to be
| done, for the installation of such a
spur and offered to give the 500 Line
company permission to use this right
OF way to lay their spur to the mine
The National people cite the fac
that the coal season is now on anc
claim that by reason of the diiatory
tactics of the railroad company they
are compelled to hire their switchine
done by team at a cost of So for every
car that is switched.
The board of railroad commission
ers will in all probability be in ses-
sion within a few days, when this mat
ter will be taken up.
l
See the new coats and dresses thai
4 a DTanirsG-A A HxT