Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-08-05
RAILROAD FREIGHTs.
The Conference Of Railroad Companies
at SaratOGa-8eduegf0n OF Rates
fran twenty 20 FOrty-Ffvs
Per CenE

NEW YORK, August 4.-The confer
ence of railroad representatives at Sara
tOga has decided that equitable and uni
form freight and passenger rates should
he charged, and the principle of cut
throat competition was condemned as
/ unworthy of corporations and injurious
10 their property. The idea was favored
Of an umpire or arbitrator at each OF the
different railroad centers, such as New
York, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Cincinnati,
Chicago, st. Louis, and elsewhere, whose
duty it shall be to take testimony, and,
80 far as it may be proper, to settle all
questions on an equitable and iueXpen-
sIve plan. The general plan CT the rep
/ resentatives was to effect a permanent
! organization and some measure to stand
united against opposition, which appears
to be destroying, and concentrating upon
their interests. General Devereux, pres
ident Of the Atlantic and Great Western
railway, who was chairman Of the meet
ing, says it was the most harmonious he
ever attended. There was no doubt there
was unity Of interest, and just now there
appeared to be special reasons for a con-
ference of the central corporations. It
was not their intention to combine
for any illegitimate purpose, but it
should be taken to protect the interests
committed to their care. He believed
the railroad companies in their late con-
ference had accomplished great good;
there would be less friction, less bitter
ness, and n greater degree Of unsnimity
ia their relations 10 one another.
President Jacob D. Cote, of the TOle-
do, Wabash and Western road, said the
meeting was called less for the purpose
of raising rates than of maintaining the
present prices ana providing against the
suicidal system Of commissions, rebates
and drawbacks which were in vogue,
and which drained the resources and
vitals Of the corporations. He had no
doubt but that the effects Of the confer
ence would be excellent.
The Tribune says, on this subject:
"Ihe railroad conference at Saratoga
was called, like the one which lately
held its sessions here, for the Ostensibls
purpose of making combinations to IA
cilitate transportation and establish
uniform freight and passenger rates.
The report of the proceedings will indi-
cate to many that the roads really COM
bined to resist what they look upon as
the forthcoming enerOachments of the
western gTangers."
The resolutions and minutes Of the
meeting have been taken TO IndianapO-
lis by the secretary, and copy is not to
be obtained here. The railroad men
state that it is not true that the meeting
was called for the purpose of combining
against the grangers, or any other inter-
est. They say thattheifObieCt was SIM
ply the develOpement Of their respect
i've roads and the abolition OF the sys-
TEN OF under-cuCting and litigation,
which has proved 50 expensive to all.
Tue conference will sOOu be resumed,
and the business introduced at the pre-
viOus meeting be brought to close.
Freight agents report that the action of
the railroad officials has simplitied their
work materially. Heretofore there was
such competition to secure freight that
there was no pretelse Of preserving
nominal rates by q gradual process OF
cutting under. The rates have been re-
duced from twenty to forty per cent,
while special rates were made with
large shippers. The following are the
new rates agreed upon: Chicago. 75e.
first class; zoe, second CHS; SOC, third
class, 45c fourth csass. 35c ffth
class. Indianar,-.a1s 7Ic, 66e. SIC,
43ci S3e. C.-acinnati zoe, 64c, soc, Ale,
&c. st. Louis SIC, Gle, 79c, Gle, 49e.
LouiSeille s6c, Sic, 7ic, 55c, 44c. Evans
v..he s5c, soc, CSC, sic, 40c. Leaven-
F, worth 81 30 81 %, 81 OF. 77c. 63c Mem
/ phis 81 Is 81 0S. 94e, 72c, 500. New Or
leans 81 "A, 81 35. 81 IS soc, Tic, Omaha
! 81 50, 81 So 81 30, a5c, soc. These rates,
I it is stated, will be rigidly adhered to.
Except, possibly, in cases Of a few large
| shippers, no rebutts or drawbacks will
be allowed. Passenger rates have not
J been changed.