The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-05
Garrett, Scott, and Vanderbilt.

Garrett, Scott, and Vanderbilt.
The injurious results Of the unprece-
dentedly low freight rates and passenger
fares ON the great trunk lines from the
West to the seaboard have very naturally
produced desire for peace on the part of
those who have most suffered. For some
considerable time the allied forces-and
under this head we include the representa-
tives of the Erie, Pennsylvania, Grand
Trunk, and Baltimore and Ohio Railroads
have not only displayed the olive branch.
but have openly expressed themselves rs
heartily tired of the war.
Mr.. vASDERBILr has fought this fight I'M
aided and alone; his adversaries have not
been able TO conquer him, have not even
been able to weaken him, though the war
has now been waged with constantly in-
'creasing bitterness for very nearly six
months, or, to be exact, since the meeting
Of the managers of the New York trunk
lines and the Western connections. held at
the st. Nicholas Hotel on the 18th of April
last. Our New York merchants would
have been glad to see the Erie Railway
enlisted in the same cause for which
the Central has so resolutely oontended,
equal rates from Chicago to the seaboard,
no discrimination against New York in
favor Of Baltimore or Philadelphia; but
II went over bag and baggage to the
enemy, and has fought under ScorT and
GARRETT.
OF late very great pressure has been
brought TO bear upon Mr.. WILLIAM
II. Vanderbilt to induce him TO enter
into an agreement for the restoration
OF prices practically oonceding lower
rates to Baltimore and Philadelphia
than to New York. This concession
he cannot make, much as he must
desire the regstabishment of more
remunerative rates. He, rs we I'M
derstand, has openly declared that the
present business of his road is satisfactory
to him, and that he will enter into no
compact which discriminatos aganst
New York in favor of Baltimore. Phila-
delphia, and Boston.
The Pennsylvania and the Baltimore
and Ohio railways claim to be every way
equal to the New York CentraN in fact,
Mr.. GARRETT, if we may judge from his
utterances honestly believes that his road
possesses very considerable advantages
over the Central more especially the nota-
BILE one OF a shorter route. What, then,
have they 10 fear il they are permitted
TO make their own rates? Let them
make them us low rs they wish. Mr.. VAN
DERBILT simply proposes TO carry freight
from the West to New York rs low rs they
will carry il from the same points TO their
respective cities. We very readily under
stand that an inferior line cannot be ex-
peoted to maintain equal rates merely in
obedience 10 an abstract principle, when il
fails TO secure business.
But the Pennsylvania Central and the
Baltimore and Ohio are not inferior lines.
In fact, Mr.. GARRETT very recently,
in one of his monthly addresses TO
his board, declared his entire satsfac-
ton with the increased business OF his
road under the present system, which is
simply system of equal or open rates
from the West 10 the seaboard. though
very low ones. Practically, then, he Is
obliged, by the stand he has taken against
Mr.. Vanderbilt policy, to carry freight
at ruinously low prices. Why not, If he is
as strong as he represents himself, propose
! q settlement on basis that Mr.. WANDER
BiLr eau accept without jeoparding the
interests OF his stockholders, and turning
II certain portion of New Yorll's legitimate
traffic TO rival cities?
This question is ofvital interest to the pub
| lie when viewed from another standpoint.
| Competition is the only efficient sure, and
| permanent remedy against the growing
| tendency on the part Of railway propre-
| tors TO consolidate and combine, with the
view OF forming gigantic, powerful, and
wealthy monopoles. On all questions
where railroad interests conflict with tho
interests of the public, the influence Of this
wealth is n unit against the people. II en-
| ploys great armies of men in operating
| the different lines Of road. 1t controls
tho telegraph lines, has ready access 10
| the public ear, and is the all-powerful
abettor or terrible foe to political inter
| csts. All this great power is under ire
| sponsible control. A corporation can
neither be hanged nor sent TO the peniten-
tiary
The people OF this country have already
had occasion to know that the four men
representing the four great trunk lines be-
tween Chicago and New York, when com
bncd, possess ana not infrcqueutly exer-
else, powers which the Congress OF tho
United States would not venture 10 exert
They may at any time, ana for any reason
satisfactory TO themselves, by single
stroke of the pen, reduce the value of
property in tins country by hundreds OF
millions OF dollars. An additional charge
OF five cents per Lushel on the transporta-
ton of cereals would have been equivalent
to a tax Of about s4Q.00O.000 on the crop Of