The New York herald., 1875-12-24
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
CONFERENCE MEETING OF COMMITTEE OF
MERCHANTS WITH Mr.. vANDERBILT

CONFERENCE MEETING OF COMMITTEE or
MERCHANTS WITH MR.. VANDERBILT.
AZ meeting of New York merchants held at the
Chamber OF Commerce, on December s, . committee
appointed 10 wait upon the President OF the New
York Central Railroad and lay before him what, IN the
Of tho meeting were considered grievances. IL
has the custom OF the railroad companies
the West ior several years past combine freight
rates. to mako their schedules tho basis OF dineren-
ual tariff greatly discriminating against shipments
from New York. ia tavor OF other competing points
Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore especially ia.
vored by this plan, which naturally wroughs
Jury the commercial interests OF New York In
order have impartial and equal scale OF charges
the committee yesterday called Mr. Vanderbilt and
. conference Was held.
CONFERENCE
Mr. William b. Dodge, as spokesman Of the commit.
tee, explained the causes which had led 10
the appointment OF the committee OF which he
was chairman, and then went TO explain
that he knew that in Now York there lack OF
sympathy between the railroads and tho merchants
In baltimore and Philadelphia the merchants al
ways the champions VI their respective roads and he
hoped the time would soon come when such asentincnt
would in New York. lie thought Il would DO vast
ly better bond Of sympathy could be formed In
CONCLUSION Mr. Dodge SAID 'l think express the
timents OF all the committee whom say that we mer
chants do not low prices SO much as we want to
be placed on an equal footing with Boston and Phila-
Mr. yAsDERRILr's REPLY
In answer 10 Mr.. Dodge Mr.. Vanderbilt the Pres
dent OF the road, explained how the complained OF
differences came be made He said that all tho mer
chants present knew that difference OF one or two
cents on the hundred would throw all, or at least =
large porton OF the carrying trade ~ the hands OF tho
cheap transporters. He said the Grand Trunk road
had always claimed OF the other roads that u should be
allowed 10 charge smaller freight rate, as merchants
dreaded 10 despatch goods so long line where
there had been difference the gauge OF the tracks
This became In favor Of tho road ITSELF
because the gauge had been made uniform In con-
Guiding Mr. Vanderbilt SAID To-day the rates have
been reduced that now they are the same from New
York ~ from Boston to tho West"
Mr. Thomas Scott had been invited 70 attend the con-
fcroncc, but was not present. He sent the following
telegram In answer 10 the invitation
pnuApniPaIA, Dec 23-i r. N.
w. II. VANDRRBILr;-
1 have your message informing me that the met
chants will meet you tomorrow morning ~ toh ocock.
As understand that the particular objecs ci thsr meet
ing has already been settled through the cdneon -
made by your limo and the krc and Pennsvana out
Of New York la order to equae tho difference presume
have you the gentlemen when they assembled
that we shatl ali In perfect harmony with tho
New lines deciding what may found necessary 10
meet the commercial nterests THOMAS SCOTT
General Charles G. Dodge and Jackson 5 Schultz also
spoke. Among the other gentlemen present woro Is
g. Arnold, Theodore Roosevelt ~ W. J. Hurst Mana
ssr OF The National Steamship line, Gustav sehwab