The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-10
THE RAILROAD WAR.

LOOKED FoR-No MORE SPECIAL CONTRACTS
AxTIcIPATED.
The disruption OF the recent tariff compact be-
tween the various railroad companies carry
Ing freight out OF and TO New York nom
the principal cities OF the West and East still
tinuos 70 DO the absorbing topic or discussion
among merchants OF every class and grade In this CITY,
For the moment the general opinion Ia undoubtedly,
that the existing controversy cannot but nure 10 tho
benefit Of shippers generally. whether the benefit
shall be lasting question somewhat more dnicuh Of
solution II would appear however SO tar the express
sons Of leading merchants, jobbers and shippers
be ascertained that the impression IL steadily but
surely prevailing the effect that the time for dis
examination part OF railroad companies In favor
Of any particular localities has passed. In incs tho
idea TO be universal among the business
men OF Now York that the interest OF all the railroads
having termin in this vicinity must naturally be-
der existing circumstances 10 afford every facility
toward fostering the GENERALIZATION or shipments and
exports In this city Tint any combination ON the
part OF the different ircighs-carr,ing lines,
such has existed In the past, will
possibly brought about for tho reason that such
companies tho New York Central and Erie have long
10 the conclusion that order their
interests it has become imperatively necessary for
them cultivate and the New YORK interests
that is say the trade Of Now York. The late
mcnt rather abrogation OF the combination OF roads
Instituted by the New York Central officials under the
direction OF Commodore Vanderbilt, il looked uron
simply a the right direction, and shows tho
foresceing policy Of the Commodore being able to
discount the future and his ability and desire to main
tain the prestige OF the Central road Independent OF all
cabaIs This departure, judging from the express
sons Of opinion by the leading men In every trade
having to do with shipments, either as merchants,
OTHERWISE is looked upon but natural sequence to
tho agitation that has long been made against tho
monopoics and arbitrary action practised Tor many
years by railroads. They have, is asserted been
last brought proper realization OF the situation
and disposed TO join with aud consult the interests
Of their customers. principal among whom the
commercial men Of this city.
The late depreciation the shipments or all kinds OF
freight aud irom New York has, Il is claimed,
PEELED the principal roads to consider the situation
and last has forced them realize the necessity
assmilatng their action and rates TO SUIT the times
Thus although the Eric road through its receiver Mr.
Jcwctt jointly with the presidents Of the Pennsyl
and Baltimore and Ohio roads, signed the letter
Commodore Vanderbilt yet tho fact cannot DO DIS
guscd that the Erie road had previous to this been
the habit OF making reductions Ia frcighis fer the
transport Of grain to this port in order to suit the
gcnces OF tho time In TACT, tho present rupture
among the Companies Is not looked upon arising so
much from disagreement among themselves as 10 tho
apportionmcnt Of rates for freight to be allowed to
each but rather desire ON tho part Of the main
hnes whose sole profit lies with tho prosperity New
York commerce 70 protect that interest with which
they IRE intimately allied. and without which they
must themselves collapse The abrogation Of tho
combinations heretofore existing, whether they be
termed conference pool CONTRACT" is looked
upon by all as move in the right direction;
Tor IL thought IL undoubtedly will be- that there
will DO greater rivalry manifested between the
panies and that the system Of making special con-
tracts wHh certain large shippers TO the detrnont OF
the smaller houses viii be done away WITH ard a gen.
cral low rate OF freight, more uniform In character,
viii be, has been already, brought INTO operation
Competition. II sad viii from this time forth DO
the rule. and consequence the public interests will
be subserved lar commercial relations the part
Of New York merchants with those Of the East aud
West concerned.
THE PREDICTION
made now that within short time dealers in Chi
will be able 10 ship grain direct Europe
through New York as chcaply can be done through
any other American port Tho discrimination atteriy
existing In regard TO special cont acts madc with
eral large Shippers have In every branch Of
considerably initiated against the interests Of New
York merchans-so much SO that many large dealers
have, as has already been indicated IN the HERALD,
established branch houses in Baltimore. iromand to
which city, IN regard 10 Western and Eastern ship
ments. margin OF profit freight be obtained
compared With New York.
Tue theory advanced by the HERALD In previous nrti-
cles this subject also BY the Now York Central
road expressed IN Commodore vaIderbilt's reply to
Jewctt scost-kng letter. that there policy
the lines having direct connection New York and
the producing States 0 the West supporting the
sidiary aud iiEpecunous roads with winch may have
connections Is everywhere met with favor.
The arguments In favor oi y dissolution OF close
amalgamation Of The various lines numerous, and
many reasons for competitive action on the part OF
the railroads engaged IN the freight ing business
have already been gwen in the interviews with the
leadines merchants that have been published Further
opinions this regard have been sought, and there Is
but ono opinion expressed ON every hand and among
! tho commercial OF New York, matter in what
branch they arc engaged Thus opinion IS tina, by
the dong away Vi she special contract system, tho
business future OF the cliy Will be greatly mproycd
the probability being that the supremacy held by New
YORK for long the great centre and eDfrep0t
for every c.ass Of merchandise will be rcralned
and maintained The tendency hitherto has been to-
ward tho building up of lew large houses hcre ana
the establishment Of large Jobb.n houses
M the towns ana cities in hu different states
where JoDbcrs owing 10 the facilities afforded by
the Fxiroad companies In the form OF reductions in
rclgh, Of from thirty 70 forty per cont were enabled
rate ~ they could be obtained m New York. taking
INTO consideration the cost OF transport alter purchase
who otherwise would come 10 New York to make pur
chascs have thus boz kept away; for they could Soc
by buying Of t.ese country Jobbcrs saving OF
and travelling expenses. This. apparently, was
. saving; but although they mae saving
IN lines of staple goods, yet when they 10
lay stocks OF fancy articles tho prices have been
cecdlngy high and greatly more than they could he
raie The large houses here, rs vel. those IN the
West, have doubtless much proIited by the late rail-
road Tariff: but evils OF TINS GENERALIZATION OF
ness in the hands Of the lew has only been ielt
there but has peculiarly illustrated in this city by
the Of vacant and the daily failures
and rclircmcnts from business that are announced
The continuance OF competition the part OF
tharailroadr. II Is conlended, Will serve TO counterfeit
this tcnacncy and bring about revival OF business;
then the country dealers will be brought here 10
their parcels OF goods knowing they buy
a. the rate as the local obber, whose only profit
has the difference freight lines VI
chandise and large advance pn the Of other aux
Iary which retailer have make his
stock complete aud meet The ot his Customers
SO the railroad companies are concerned. the
situation yesterday appeared 10 be unchanged. Mono
OF tho lines have so far manifested any desire or
tcntion make concession TO the other, aud far
the New York Central and Ere roads are con
cerncd In the gram carrying trade, pool Is likely
be made with the other lines Freights remain about
tho same nomiually, but favorabic contracts can
readily be obtained, both for present aud forward lie
livery. In TACT the manifestation the purt o all The