New-York tribune., 1875-12-09
THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.

MELTING OF MERCHANTS TO PROTEST AGAINST
FREIGHT DISCBIMiNATION-ADDKEs Br d. G.
ARNOLD, 2. b. TnrR3ER, AND OIIFR'-COM-
NuTrEFs or CONFERENCE WITH RAILROAD COM
PANIEs To BIZ APPOINTED.
About thirty persons assembled at the
Chamber Of Commerce rooms yesterday afternoon, in
response TO the call meeting TO protest against the
discrimination against his city IN the present freight
rates TO the West b. 6. Arnold Of Arnold, sturses
A. Co WAS chosen Chairman, and John H. Kemp Secre-
tary On taking tie chair, Sir Arnold said that
the discrimination in freight rates against this city, espe
cay in favor Boston had existed for years but prob
ably never before the extent as at present In
other citles-as, for Instance BamOre-the merchants
had combined their efforts obtain better rates and
od been successu Mr. Arnold thou sht the remedy for
tbe evils that exist here would be found in pursuing
similar course lie had talked with Mr. Blanchard Of the
Efie Railway who expressed great desire to remedy
the evil, and promised that the matter should have
prompt attention
r II. Thurber of the Cheap Transportation Association
admitted a statement including the correspondence
between the Association and Mr. Vanderbilt, VccPres
dent of the NewYOrk Central Railroad lu reply to the
frst letter, Mr. Vanderbilt referred the Association to
the general freight agent Of the Company, rs all tho
officers and heads of departments have standing orders
promptly and thoroughly to investigate all claims
made against the road by ito patrons" Several
other letters wero read, showing that the commit
toe OF the Association had attempted TO obtain an
audience with Vanderbilt, but that he had declined
TO grant it, claiming that the trouble was beyond the
control his Company, aud saying that while the mat
fer had been subject OF much and attention, II
ia out of our power to afford tho remedy sought as II
entirely controlled by the roads running out OF Boston,
Gases illustrating discrimination in favor OF Boston
we're read by Mr. Thurbcr He also stated that all the
trunk lines leading from this city to the West had had
their stocks watered for the purpose Of concealng
tbeir immense revenues and they bore
nroportlon whatever to their actual cost.
"No reasonable man Will object" Mr. Thurbcr said.
10 capital invested In mrOad property receiving fair
and ey liberal reward. but respectfully submit that
te benefits and burdens Of commerce VIII mover DO
operated for the sole benet OF unscrupMous managers
tnrr ia the interest of commerce. The defecs and
,bnses IN American railway nagemcut have bank
ruptcd great portion OF these corporations, have I'M
uoveshcd Stockholders dwarfed the proportions OF
commerce. and nj the same time the managers have made
Immense fortunes No small portion Of the business de
tsion the times Is attributable to the fact that the
defects In transportation System prevent III rem
competing successfully ia the markets OF the world.
respectfully submit that the time has come for
clp-ivs freight railroad To hc built on a hard
nan hass without the Intervention OF Credit MObiiicr
cDustrucOn companies and other sw ndlos OF the
kind. That II should connect the grangrOSInR sections
and tne PRINCIPAL distributing ceuitrs or the west with
the chef cities of the Atlantic seDvard, that such
road could carry freight at less than half the average
rates which have ruled during the last i've years, and
nay "A fair the capital Invested. The commerce
of the Mississippi IL increasing wonderful rate and
a prize worth competing fOf, but. until we nave such
ROAD. hope 10 obtain our share Of It, or per
manent relief from the Determinations which We have
met to-day 10 consider. The managers OF existing
lines probably treating fariy they arOrd
TO- and attempt To pay dividends capital stOcs Of the
roads a. now constituted road such have described
mn be unfer the supervision the National
Government In order being forced into
cJmbinaon with existing lines Mr. rhurreT closed ~