New-York tribune., 1874-08-03
THE RAILROAD CONFERENCE.
COMBINATION FOR COMMON ENDS.

III II hAlLhOhb OO4NI SI'
A COMBINATION FOR COMMON ENDS.
WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT sARAToGA-AN EFFORT
TO UNITE ALL INTERESTS AND TO ROOT UP CoNfE-
TIuoN-THE CREATION or BOARD OF o"rh'h'
FAvoRKD-A HARMONIOUS SESSION
For wears past the leading railroad managers nave
endeayored 10 reconcile conflicting interests ana
v,ro;ndices and end the eut-thTOat" system which
has nroved 40 injurious to the railway system OF the
country Conventions time and again have Deeh
held at the different railroad ceners with view 10
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 special effort has been made
by the controllers of the principal trunk lines 10
accomplish something practical. Commodore van
derbIt took the lead and invitations were extended
10 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 Commo-
dore Vanderbilt at Saratoga. There was very
large attendance from every section of the country
Among those present were Col Thomas A. Scott of
fine PENNSYLVANIA Railroad. Hugh j. Jewett of the
Erie. Gen Devereux President of the Atlantic and
Great Western, and Cleveland, Columbus. Cncin-
natl and Indianapolis Railroads; the Hon. Jacob d.
Cox President Of the Toledo, Wabash and Western ;
james L. Joy of the Michigan Central John +
Tracy of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
Gen. Deyereux was unanimously elected Chair
man of the meeting and the work was immediately
begun. The discussion was terse and practical, ana
the different subjects Of grievance were carefully
although rapidly treated Resolutions were adopted
embodying the plan Of action. IL was generaliy
understood that the railroads should return much
.s,1.. IN, tla n
bnsjnes, with the community and with one another
Jouitabc aud uniform freight and passenger
rates should be charged and the principle of cut
throat co1upetition which had been IN vogue was
condemned as unworthy of the corporations and
inuriou, 70 their prosperity. The proper method OF
transactiup business was defined. Unfair rebates
and drawbacks 10 patrons were condemned. Ihe
creation Of a Board Of Umpires to decide upon dis
putes between the public and the railroads was
also favored The idea is 70 have an umpire or
arbitrator at each Of the different railroad cenerS,
such As Ncv--Yo1k Pittsburgh, Cleveland, chicago,
Cincinnati 81. Louis, and elsewhere, whose duty 1t
shall be 10 take testimony and so far as III NAV De
in their power 10 settle all questions on an equlta-
ble and inexpensive plan.
The general plan Of these representatives was 10
effect permanent organization. and IN measure
n stand united against the opposition which ap-
pears 10 ne QCFCloI4us anu COuNtHtAS'''e "-N-''
their interests Nearly all the principal members Of
the Conference ef Saratoga for their homes at Its
adjournment. Gen. Devereaux, who was
At his Office IN Wall-str 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 10 be special reasons for con-
ference Of the several corporations. There was no
intention TO combine for any illegitimate purpose
but il was essential that some measures should be
taken 10 protect the interests committed TO their
care Referring 10 the ruinous competition 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 1t was virtually
necessary. raised the rates to plane where they
could pay expenses. He believed that the railroad
companies in their late conference had accomplished
a great dea of good There would be less friction
less betterncss and greater degree of unanlmitJ
An their relations TO one another.
President Jacob D. Cox Of the Toledo Nabasi
aud Western said that the meeting was called less
tor the purpose of raising rates nan OF malntAnlnl
the present prices and providing against tht
suicidal system Of commissions, rebates, and draw
backs which We're in vogue and which drained the
resources and vitality of the different corporations
He had no doubt that the effect OF the conference
would be excellent