Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 108, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1912 — BUS WAR IS ENDED; KANNE BROS. SELL. [ARTICLE]

BUS WAR IS ENDED; KANNE BROS. SELL.

“Bill)” Frye Now Sol© Owner of Business—-Kanne Bros. Combine Auto and Horse Delivery. '.;A bus rivalry that began when Joe Jackson re-engaged in yie business the first of last September in opposition to Harrison Wasson, was terminated Friday, when a deal was closed that leaves-but one bus line in business and that in charge of W. F. Frye, who bought the Wasson line following the death of Mr. Wasson.

"""‘W. I. Hoover, county sheriff, was largely responsible for the settlement. He bought of Kanne Bros, their horse pulled bus, trading to them his Ford Automobile. He then sold the bns to Mr. Frye, taking, one of the latter’s--horses In partial payment Kanne Bros, will retain their autobus but agreed nottqengage in the bus business in Rensselaer. They also retained their bus team and will use it in their livery business. The autobus and the Ford auto will be used in their livery business and they will thus .have a quite thoroughly equipped auto and horse livery. The rivalry has been extremely intense during -the eight months that it existed. Joe Jackson was an able bus line manager and it required legal procedure to disiodif) him from the business. He had given a contract to Frank "Kresler, who had the business a short time, not to re-engage in the business in Rensselaer and this contract was made part of the sale to Wasson, who brqaght suit thereon and secured an injunction against Jackson. The latter then sold’ his hack and’ horses to Kanne Bros., who added an autobus to the business. The rivalry between the various owners and employes was so intense and bitter that at times serious mixups were narrowly averted. Because of this the oWners were denied the right to back their buses up at the west end of the depot but ,had to leave their buses at the east end of the platform, at Forest street. There were races every day and to almost every train to get to the depot first to secure first position. Persons who hesitated in their choice were almost pulled to pieces in the mad scramble for business anu the buspien carried on a dialogue of vituperation and threats that looked menacing but never reached the climax of battle. During all this time from three to four buses were lined up for each train and frequently there were no passengers or not more than one-or two. It was evident that there was not enough business for rival concerns • and friends of the owners frequently suggested a buy or sell measure of settlement. The deal, however, was never pulled off until Friday, when it was settled as above stated. i From the standpoint of all concerned and the public as well the settlement in this amicable manner is a splendHL thing and it will be readily seen that this is not a consolidation in restraint of trade. There was no dispute about prices nor service, and there will be no increase in prices. The old rivals are now on good terms and both should find profitable results in the conclusion happily reached.