The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-08-02
;EES NO DISCRIMINATION

Asks North Dakota Legislature
What It Means by Con-
Con Resolution
Walker D. Hines, director general
Of American railways. is unable to see
the need for competition from Mis-
souri, river points to the Twin Cities
for the Northern Pacific which, might
cause that system to sit up and take
notice and mind its peas and queues.
The 10Th assembly, among other
things, adopted concurrent resolu-
ton introduced by Senator King of
Burleigh county saying that the North
ern Pacific was not nice, and that it
didn't give this section of the state
adequate service, and that it asked too
much for such service as it did give.
Walker D. can't see 1t a-tall.
Careful Study Made.
In addressing Secretary of State
Hall in reply to this con-con resolu-
luton, Mr.. Hines says:
"A very careful study has been
made of the question raised by the
concurred resolution adopted by the
sixteenth legislative assembly OF
North Dakota, dated March 3, 1919,
urging the establishment of through
passenger and freight service from
Bismarck to Moffit via the 500 line;
MOffit to Linton via the Northern
Pacific, and Linton to Minneapolis,
via the Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul. The matter has been thorough
ly investigated by Regional Director
Ashton, who has submitted full and
detailed report, end it has also been
the subject Of extended correspond
ence. The report and correspondence
have been studied independently by
the divisions of traffic, operation and
public service, who have seyerally
submitted to me their conclusions. And
l have given the matter that careful
and respectful consideration which is
due to a resolution formally adopted
by the legislative assembly of the state
OF North Dakota. Couch! cracked my
lip)
No Present Need.
"As to opening up new route be
tween Bismarck and Minneapolis and
st. Paul, there seems to be no pres.
ent need Of additional facilities. the
existing lines being able to handle all
the traffic offered or likely soon to be
offered. And the distance by the pro-.
posed new route, between Bismarck
and Minneapolis, would be 469 miles,
as against 425 miles by the Northern
Pacific and 1926 by the 500 line. AS to
local needs, the territory in North Da-
kota south of Linton is rather sparse
ly populated, and it has reasonable
good service to Bismarck by the 500
line.
'sInvestigation has failed to develop
any prospect in the immediate or near
future of building up substantial
traffic, freight or passenger, between
South Dakota points and Bismarck
and western North Dakota. The ex-
listing service, slight though it is, is
adequate to accommodate all the traf-
fic offering, and is actually not self
supporting. 1t Is true that there are
no close connections at Linton. But
this is because the branches meeting
at that point are designed to furnish
connections with their respective
main line trains; and it is believed
that this arrangement serves the con-
venience of far the greater number OF
patrons.
Would Mean New Rails.
"The line of the Northern Pacific
from Moffit to Linton and that OF
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul from
Linton to Roscoe are of light branch
line construction, of such character
as not to permit of even ordinarily
fast schedules. To allow the running OF
through passenger trains and heavy
freights, they would have to 'be prac-
tically rebuilt. This.would involve an
expense for which under present con-
ditions the railroad administration
could not furnish the funds. We are
trying, 1 believe with gratifying sue
cess, to make the quality of the serv-
ice rendered on our railroads better
than it has ever been before, and to
keep its quantity up to a reasonable
approximation to what has been re-
garded as its normal standard. But
Ill Wow VI CuC C0l4y LAAAOCAOA u
federal control, we cannot now expend
money in an attempt to develop new
sources of traffic, or to build for the
future, even where the prospects are
for remunerative traffic. am there
fore forced reluctantly to conclude
that it is impossible for me to accede
to the request Of your legislative as
sembly.
No Discrimination.
II am not clear as to what is meant
by the reference in the resolution to
the excessive rates now charged for
inadequate service established by the
former management of the Northern
Pacific Railway Co. to the exclusion
of other railroads, from the capital of
North Dakota I have no information
of any rate adjustment in any way
injuriously discriminating against the
city of Bismarck. If anything of the
kind shall he brought specifically to
my attention, / will see that the mat
ter is thoroughly investigated, with
a view to removing any possible in
Justice.
Sincerely yours,
WALKER D. HINES"
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