The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-23
THE RAILROAD WAR.
THE TWO GIANTS GRAPPLE.


THE TWO GIANTS GRAPPLE.
THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION OF WAR BE-
TWEEN THE b ALTIMoRE AND OHIO AND tn
PENNSYLVANIA RAILRoADs-FULL TEXT OF
PRESIDENT GARRETr's LETTER TO COL.
scoTT-THE IATTER's REPLY-THE FACTS
OF THE CASE AS OFFICIALLY PRESENTED-A
LONG PULL AND A STRONG PULL.
The president of the Baltimore ~ ONO
railroad, John w. Garrett, on the 18th inst.
addressed the following dispatch to Presl-
dent Scott OF the Pennsylvania road:
Thomas A. Scott, president, Philadelphia:
When Presidents Vanderbilt and Jewett
and Yourself visited me in Baltimore on the
10Th of November last, the Baltimore ~ Ohio
COMPANY cordially agreed TO the abolish
ment of all commissions on passenger and
freight rates, and while decliningg to enter
into your Saratoga agreement, assented
to the establishment OF rates py tne
New York Central, New York 81 Erie,
and Pennsylvania companies, between
Boston. New York, Philadelphia, and West
ern cities. but no effort was made by the
representatives of your combination TO con-
troll the rates of the Baltimore " Ohio COM
pany between Baltimore and the trade cen
ters of the West connected by its lines. On
the opening of its road from Baltimore TO
Chicago, the Baltimore & Ohio Company
fixed So cents per 100 pounds as proper
and iudicious rate for grain, and other
fourth-class freights, between Baltimore and
Chicago, and it was a source OF regret to this
companv that this action was not deemed
satisfactory bv YOUR combination, and that
since that period after various spasmodic
efforts tor much higher rates, disastrously
low rates were from time to time mace Dy
YOUR lines, for the apparent purpose OF
causing the Baltimore q Ohio Company to
abandon the low but, under the circum-
80 re ind N
BILE tariff it has just adopted. Alter three
months of irregularities most disastrous to
the large interests involved, l learn that
vour several companies have, by unanimous
action, within few days past, adopted the
tate originally fixed by the Baltimore &
Ohio road between Baltimore ana Cnlcago,
namely 80 cents, and re established uniform
rates between this city and Eastern cities.
The Baltimore & Ohio Company is happy In
having the propriety and wisdom OF its &C.
ton on the opening OF its road TO Chlcago
thus yindicated. The Baltimore q Ohio
Company had fixed rates from Baltimore to
Chicago and
OTHER WESTERN POINTS,
which, while low, were deemed by it judi
cious. and not unremunerative. On the I'd
inst. your representative offered in Balti-
more to make shipments to all Western
points at an enormous percentage of reduc-
tion upon our rates thus established. After
being satisfied. from the continuance of this
attack. that it was the desire of the Pennsyl-
vania Company to make these rates so un-
remunerative that the Baltimore IL
Ohio Company would agree to
make adyan ses on rates from Balti-
more to the West, to an extent that
would violate its policy and be unwise in
it's Judgment, this company deemed it to
- 10 IN, al
phia to Western cities, so as to prove to
your company that il was determined to
maintain its reasonable and Just policy in
reference to it's rates between Baltimore and
the West. AS you might very reasonably
have anticipated, the rates for freight in
Philadelphia became as unremunerat1ye,
and your market as demoralized as
your agents has caused those In
Baltimore to be. 1 am this day advised
that your company has resorted to the use
of its present monopoly through the Cam
den & Amboy railroad, between Phiiadel-
phia and New York, to attempt TO deprive
the public and the Baltimore a. Ohio road of
the convenient use of that line by with
drawing the tickets for the through SER
vice by the Baltimore Il Ohio
road from your offices in New York
and New England; that you have also or
dered that the freight cars OF the Baltimore d
Ohio road shall not pass over your tracks in
the city of Philadelphia, according to usage,
from the Philadelphia, Wilmington q Balti-
more road TO the points OF delivery for the
merchants and dealers of Philadelphia, and
that you propose to put additional trains of
cars between Washington and New York
for the purpose of
INTERPRETING WITH THE BUSINESS
of the Baltimore * Ohio Company which
passes over its Washington branch and
Western roads. After the experience of the
past, can scarcely believe that such action
can meet the approval of yourself, the
executive of your great company,
and am prepared for the present to attribute
it to reckless subordinates. wish, however,
to say that the Baltimore IL Ohio Company is
prepared as in December, 1878, 10 act prompt
w. effectively, and i know successfully, in
it's rights and Interests, as well
as those of the great states and cities which
find the Baltimore Il Ohio road and its con-
nections the most valuable, economical and
lines for their business and
intercourse with Eastern cities. The Balti-
more & Ohio company has yielded TO the de-
mands of your present monopoly between
and New York by paying
the enormous tribute which you exact of
tour cents per 100 pounds as a terminal
charge on all freights going to and coming
from the City of New York, as we'll as by |
paving you for 100 miles of transportation,
while the actual distance is less than ninety |
miles. 1t has also submitted to the unsatis-