The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-21
IMPORTANT RAILROAD CONVENTION.

Gyes:--
On behalf Of THE New York Central Railroad,
Erastus Cor np2, r-sid-Dt;
Dean Richmond. VI President;
John r. H.t Shedeu Die tors;
Ghauucey v,ns.,d G.. n. ri Superintendent
On behalf Of the Euds N Rive Railroad.
Nelson Robinson, UI,., tor.
On cetalf II lie Peapie'- Lii Of Steamboats,,
Isaac Neston G.. era Agent.
On behalf If tht New Yots and Ellie Railroad
Homer Ramsdtll. PIE i,tnt;
D. q. McCallum, General superintendent;
Daniel Drew, irnsu err.
On behalf of the pe0nsy vaoa Railroad,
j. Edgar Tbomi 500, resident;
Hern an Hanpt Chief Egg neer.
On behalf Of the fbi'Sdelpha, Wilmington, aud
Baltimore Railroad
S. L. Spsff,Jd, Super intendeut.
On behalf Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Wm. G.. Hsrri,oI.. President.
joan II. Done, Mater IT Transportation.
On mot on OF Mr.. Haupt. the convs nti IN was or
ing, President Of I New Y,w& Ceotral Rairo i'd,
as Pr sideDt, AID Joen h. Dsna, Eq., Master OF
Trans ortstop Of The Bai.iur, an0 OHIO Railroad,
as & cfetary.
Tie SUI jects expected to be pre.eated to the
consic eIaton Of tie CONVEX ,on, stated by j.
On notion Of J. H. Chedel. E.q., the subject of
mail pay was refesre, a committee OF one from
each railroad ,eprr-elt-d.
The chsir APPOINTED the following committee
Mr. McCauD, Mr.. Haupt,
Mr.. Morgan, DIR. Spaford,
Mr.. Chedell, Mr.. Done
The snbject OF freq ii kets or RAISES vas thcu in
formally taken up for scuss'nn, ADD after some
time ent in conversational interchange Of views
t.esspn, its further c0nsi6erat on post poned.
The subject of runners. solicitors Of passer gers
And freight, was then taken up informally, and
after time sp-Dt thereon, the folio wing reso.
lutioHs were offered -
Resolved. That in the opinion OF this convention
the employment of agents runners in the West
cit ssse gers and freight is unnecessary, and should
be discs,n;nueI.
Resolved 1hai III. expense Of agent for the dis
tpbuticn Of bil and advertisements at each point dis
tict the West at Winch toe est.blishmsnt OF such
agency be considered requisite shall be paid jointly
b. the companies Interested the agent 10 be appointed
and his compensation 6xed BY the superintendent Of
5. Resolved That Whenever in the opinion Of the su
peripendents Of the four ns4 nero represented it snail
be eyredient TO establish off the sale Of
ticseis, snch arrangement may be made and the ex-
psnses equally divided
On motion the Convention adjourned.
The Convention re assembled ON Wednesday, the
18th, pursuant 70 adjournment.
The following additional representatives appeared
and took their seats as members of the Conven.
tion:-
u. Morgan, Presiden, and Mr.. Sykes, Assist.
ant Superintendent Hudson River Railroad.
j. Y. l.. P. uyn, Secretary and Treasurer New
York Central Railroad.
series Of Propositions in relation to the matters
pIest nted for the consideration of the Convention
Was made in writing, and they were severally dis.
cussed in an Informal manner, when after some time
speLt IN the inter bange Of views thereon, the said
v itten propositions were laid on the table,
the resolutions submitted during the session of
yesterday were taken mp for consideration, and hay
ing bean read, they were unanimously adopted.
On motion 1t was resolved that the said resolu
tons just adopted, together with the several written
propositions heretofore submitted, be referred to
commit:ee of one from eaca OF the interests repre-
scented.
The Chair appointed the following gentlemen as
Mr.. McCallum, New York and Erie Railroad.
M. Yibbard, New York Central Railroad.
Mr.. Sykes, Huas0a River Railroad.
Nj. Newton, Peoples Line Of Steamboats,.
Mr.. Haupt. Pennsyvania Railroad.
Nj. Spsdord, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Bal.
timore Railrcac.
Mr.. Done, Baltimore AID Ohio Railroad.
The committee to shch was referred the subject
II mail pay made the following report
REPORT.
The committee to whom was referred the consider
alton Of the compensation proper to be allowed to
railroad companies for mail services, respectfully re-
port
That they have given the subject their attention,
AMI while they appreciate the difficulties and em
barassments which attend the attempt To- establish
rates, they believe tina. the following principles
should govern the lines here represented, in the de-
termination OF tue allowance to be claimed from tho
Peat Office Department.
The operations Of this department, tending as
they do to confer imp stant benefits upon the pub
lie, should not only meet with NO impedimeut from
transportation companies, but should receive from
them every assistance which il is in their power to
bestow, lot incompatible with the other interests
which IL is their duty to protect.
But while they recognise the rigot of the public
to claim reasonable accommodation, your commit
tee are of opinion hat the Post Ofoe Department
should not expect the performance OF She mail ser.
vice without adequate compensation. They do not
consider II either Jedsat or right that railroad
companies should sacrifice the Interests of their
Stockholders and depeciate the value OF the proper
ty which they appointed to protect by perform.
iJg any public service at less than cost.
Your committee believe thai no arrangement can
be regarded Is equitable that does not recognise
TIE principle OF compensation for the services
fuslly performed, takiug into consideration the
num1er and weight OF mails, the offices to be sup
piled. and the manner OF supplying them, the char
acfer OF the accommodation furnished, and the rate
~ speed.
ksperence has proved that the lowest rates at
VII Oh 0rdh airy freight, carried 10 freight trains at
speed Of ten or twelve miles per hour, and in
large quantities, can be to pay interest and ex-
pebses, viii average about two cents per ton per
mile Tor heavy agricultural products, three cents
To- groceries and four cents for dry goods. Elk
Height Carried at high speed with passenger trains,
usually pay double these rates. The accomm Ia
ticn fur1is he'd to the Post Office Department will
average the half OF enc eight whet led car for each
mail. N each direction Tue capacity Of the car
bel, ten tons, and the expense Of transp ort atom
nearly the same whether filed or empty, at four
cents per ton per mile, each way which Is less til An
che ordinary charge for dry goods carried In freight
Hdinc, tke annual COMPENSATION tor SbO Gays VIII
amount to 1922 for two daily malls. Whether the
mails occupy but half or the whn1p Of car II is Of
ve-y little cOns.q uence TO the oapsnies transpo E
ing the samess the remaining hslf would generally
be insufficient for baggage; and a necessity would
Oh, a exist Tor the transportation OF an eight
wheeled car exclusively for mail accommodation,
etoit or fourwheel cars being excluded, By COM
mon consent, from all passenger trains on all well
ma ae,d railroads, in consequence Of their ton
deucs, at high speed, to leave the track.
Although in the opinion Of the committee rail-
Wy companies would be jastitsble In charging for
the transportation 81 the MALE ~ much per ton or
per Ger Is received for express freight earned in
fhe same trains which u at least fifty per cent
more thsn 10 paid for the hisssa class OF ordinary
ffes, ht nj slow speed, yet - pecunisry consdcra-
lions ara not the only ones b. which railroad or
trar spcrtaiion companies should be Influenced In