The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-23
Biggest Railway War in West
ern History Is On.
Hartman Lines Have Closed
Denver Gateway.
SANTA FE AND ROCK ISLAND
Two Big Systems Must. Combine
to RetaIiate.
Other Items of Interest in the
Traffic World.

Denver, Col, Dec. 23.-Formal notice
has been received in Denver of the OPP
ening of the biggest railroad war in the
history of the west. The Hartman
lines have thrown down the gauntlet
to the Burlington, Santa Fe, Rock Is
land and Missouri Pacific and viii
fight them singIe-handed for the traffic
of the Northwest.
Denver is made the pivotal point in
a struggle between the financial giants
of the country which threatens to rev.
olutionize the railroad map OF the
west and upset conditions which have
been forming for years.
The Union Pacific served notice on
the four lines mentioned that through
rates from points east of the Missouri
river and south of Kansas City, Kan,
via Pueblo Denver and Pullman des-
tined to Spokane common points ana
north Pacific coast terminals would De
Cancelled on January 1.
Close Denver Gateway.
This means that the Hartman lines
have closed the Denver gateway to ev-
cry railroad operating into Colorado
from the east. Not a pound of freight
originating at any point east OF the
Nebraska, Kansas Oklahoma and
Texas state lines and destined to Har-
riman lines points in the Northwest
will pass through Denver after Janu-
arv 1 unless routed via the Union Pa
cific.
This order, in conjunction with
similar order made effective on NO
venber A. means that the Denver &
Rio Grande and Colorado Midland rail-
roads are shut off from handling any
through business between points east
Of Denver and Pueblo and northwest
of ogden.
The Burlington, Rock Island, Santa
Fe and Missouri Pacific are prohibited
Iaof1 n
and Denver and traffic originating east
of Omaha and Kansas City destined to
Hartman lines points in the North
west except on local rates This busl-
ness must, after January l, be dehV-
cred to the Union Pacific at Omaha and
Kansas City or that ROAD VIII reIuSe
to accept it.
Order Long Anticipated.
1t further means, in conjunction |
with the order of November 4, that the |
local business originating along the !
lines of the Missouri Pacific, Rock Is |
land. Santa F'e and Burlington between |
Omaha and Kansas City and Denver |
destined to the Pacific Northwest, must |
he delivered to the Union Pacific at |
Denver in order to obtain the through |
rates.
The orders received in Denver have
been anticipated for several months |
by all the railroads concerned. 1t was
man lines eliminated the Denver & Rio
Grande and Colorado Midland on No
vember from the participation OF
through business to and from the Pa
cific Northwest.
Preparations for the beginning OF
this fight accounts for the Denver &
Rio Grande expending millions of dol
lars of Z per cent money in the winter
time to reduce mountain grades and
lay second main line tracks. 1t also
explains the activity of the Union Pa
cific in putting every available man at
work on a cutoff in Nebraska which
will make the company's main line to
the Pacific from Kansas City pass
through Julesburg instead of Denver.
The extent and scope of the fight
which is now on in earnest can be
better understood when it is known
that the Burlington, a Morgan system,
is practically forced into an alliance
with the Gould roads in a contest
with the Hartman system and that
the Santa Fe and Rock Island, the two
remaining big systems of the west, are
forced into the combination.