The daily gazette., 1875-02-26
From The Neio York World, February 25th.
SCOTT AND GARRETsT

The continuance of the. present rail-
road war, whether it ends in a triumph
for Baltimore or Philadelphia. cannot
but be beneficial to the interests of the
public at large. a'he suddenness Of the
attack upon the part of Scott reminds
one somewhat of the declaration of war
of the French against the Prnssians il
the last Franco -Prussian conflict. Col;
Scott was promptly met on the part OF
Mr.. John w. Garrett by a large reduc-.
tion in the rates Of fare from New York
to all the cities in the West to which
| tickets are sold by the Pennsylvania
road. Bismarck himself could not have
been more energetic. just Mt present
Mr.. Garrett is probably the most popu-
| lar man in Baltimore; and were he to
run for any oflce-from that of alder
man or yestryman up to that Of PTesi-
citizens would wade through snow, rain
and slush to cast their sufrages in his
| favor. The Baltimorsans claim that
| their road is financially stronger and
| better able to resist the strain Of a long
| and severe Fight than the Pennsylvania
road; that Colonel Scott has too many
irons iR the fire; and finally, that the
sJmpathies of the great commercial cen
tres both East and West are with then.
| On the other hand, it is said that the
Y
self to establish rates from the West to
the seaboard BY refusing to become
party to the Saratoga compact, while
it had no means OF access to any portion
OF the seaboard north of baltimore ex-
cept over the Camden and Amboy road
between Philadelphia and New York,
from the use of which it is now debarred
by tho recent action Of Colonel Scstt
While MIR. Garrett, by q contract made
A.
Steamship Company, has at his service q
line of steamers to keep up his freight
connection between New York ana Bal
timore, he can establish any rates he
may deem proper, regardless Of all other
: roads. Should the contest continue for
} any length of time, it will certainly not
be confined to the present combatants.
A reduction of passenger and freight
, rates on the Baltimore and Ohio and the
Pennsylvania Central roads cannot but
affect the New York Central and Erie.
e They win be dragged into the fight. and
1 in the absence of any declarations or ut:
5 terances on the part OF the officers Of
n these roads we may suppose that their
jsympathies, influence and strength will
i be thrown on the side Of the Pennsylva-
l. mia road, which was with them, q party
n to the Saratoga compact" while Mr..
i Garrett reserved his liberty of action
and looked coldly on. 1t is not improb.
able that the present state of affairs be.
: tween the Baltimore and Ohio and the
. Pennsylvania roads has been within the
last twenty -four hours the subject o,
: informal discussion by the Eastern Board
Z OF Railroad Commissioners, representing
! the parties to the Saratoga compact
v That such discussion will result in any
n immediate action we very much doubt
q Just at present mastery inactivity seemI
!. to be the best policy. A comprsmise i
quite as likely as o prolonged struggle
The roads outside the fight, as well o
le the contestants themselves. are keeni.
a. alive to the fact that mediator is some
re- times more useful than an ally.