The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-06
Railroad Matters.

A CONVERSATION FOR COMMON END.
For years past the leading railroad man
ayers have endeavored to reconcile con-
ficting interests and prejudces, and end
the "cut-throat' system which has proved
so injurious to the railway system of the
country Conventions time and again have
been held at the different railroad centres,
with view to accomplishing the much-
wished-for results but after resolutions
had been passed and the conventions had
adjourned there was an end of the projected
reforms. Recently, however, a special eff
fort has been made by the controllers of the
principal trunk lines to accomplish some
thing practical. Commodore Vanderbilt
took the lead, and invitations were extend
ed to all the principal roads in the country
to send representatives to Saratoga in the
latter part OF July, and discuss the matter.
The meeting was held on Thursday in the
private apartments of Commodore Wander
bt at Saratoga, and, according to the
| Tribune, there was very large attendance
from every section of the country. Among
those present were Colonel Thomas A Scott
of the Pennsylvania railroad, Hugh J jew
EFT of the Erie, General Devereux, presi-
dent of the Atlantic and Great Western,
and Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and
indianapolis railroads; the Hon Jacob ID
Cox, president of the Toledo, Wabash and
Western; James f Joy of the Michigan
Central, John Tracy of the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific. General Dever
eux was unanimously elected chairman of
the meeting, and the work was Immediately
begun. The discussion was terse and prac-
teal. and the different subjects Of griev-
ance were carefully although rapidly
treated Resolutions were adopted embody-
ing the plan of action 1t was generally
understood that the railroads should return
as much as possible to first principles in the
transaction of business with the community
| and with one another. Equitable and uni
form freight and passenger rates should be
charged, and the principle of "cut-throat'
competition which bad been in vogue was
| condemned as unworthy of the corporations
and injurious to their prosperity. The prop
err method of transacting business was de-
| fined. Unfair rebates and drawbacks TO
| patrons were condemned. The creation OF
a board of umpires to decide upon disputes
between the public and the railroads was
also favored The idea is to have an UNI
pre or arbitrator at each of the different
railroad centres, such as New York, Pitts
burgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati,
st Louis and elsewhere, whose duty it shall
be to take testimony, and, so far as it may
be in their power, to settle all questions on
an equitable and inexpensive plan. The
general plan of these representatives was to
effect a permanent organization, and in
measure to stand united against the oppo-
sition which appears 10 be developing and
concentrating against their interests
Nearly all the principal members of the
conference left Saratoga for their home at
its adjournment General DevereuX, who
was at his office in Wall street, said that
the meeting was one of the most harmonious
that he had ever attended. There was no
doubt that there was a unity of interest,
and just now there appeared to be special
reasons for conference of the several
corporations. There was no intention to
combine for any ilegitimate purpose, but it
was essential that some measures should
be taken to protect the interests committed
10 their care. Referring to the ruinous
connection between the several roads, he
deprecated the criticism which attended
their action when, after rates had run down
to a level where they could not remain, the
railroad companies, feeling that it was vir-
tually necessary, raise the rates to plane
where they could pay expenses. He be.
leved that the railroad companies in their
late conference had accomplished deal of
good There would be less friction, less
bitterness, and greater degree of unanmity
in their relations to one another. Presi-
dent Jacob ID. Cox of the Toledo, Wabash
and Western said that the meeting was
called less for the purpose of raising rates
than of maintaining the present prices and
providing against the suicidal system of
commissions, rebates and drawbacks which
were in vogue and which drained the re-
sources and vitality of the different corpo-
rations. He had no doubt that the effect of
the conference would be excellent.
, | Dototoaa lonlr and t,romicp finally on far