New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-03
A NEW RAILWAY WAR.
REDUCTION OF RATES THREATENED.


Numerous statements have appeared during the
| last week OF two on the subject of an impt aiding
war of rates for freight and passengers between the
leading trunk lines from the East to the west In
February last the trunk lines whose representatives
met In this city, were upon the point OF qlarreiing
about the terminal facilities given at the ports of
| Baltimore, Philadelphia New-York, and Boston.
| temporary truce was, however, arranged between
them, but no settled understanding was ar
rived at in regard TO the rates for through
traffic from the West to the East. The
| Grand Trunk Company, which, with the Michigan
Central and Central Vermont Companies, forms a
through route from Chicago to the seaboard at Bos
ton and Portland was not invited to the conference
| and consequently was not represented When APP
| preached, however, for the purpose OF getting the
| Grand Trunk to come to some joint agreement with
the other companies ITS officers at once expressed
their Willingness to enter upon negotiations and dls-
| played every disposition to come to settlement :.
What took place, however, in the time, is con-
sidered TO give coorng to the statement that there
was predetermination the part of those repre-
sentng of the routes to break down all arrange
mcnts and to bring about general fight for the
traffic. The representatives OF the Canada South
ern line which has recently passed under the
troll If Commodore Vanderbilt, cut down the rates
ON cattle shipped by certain dealers from Chicago
| by what il known as the Northern ronte, namely,
the Michigan Central Grand Trunk. and Central
Vermont lines. They made a contract with the
shippers at rates much below those then prevailing
This provoked retaliatory measures. The agents OF
the Northern route not only regained the traffic
which had thus been taken away from their line, but
promptly secured the principal shippers of live hogs
who had been previously sending their traffic
by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
and New-York Central lines. So eliectually
AZ. 4l,t tla xl,l. nf
this traffic from Chicago to Ncw-England has been
diverted to that route. The representatives of the
Northern route still eyinced readiness to listen to
the recommendations OF neutral parties, and to meet
and confer with view to settlement Meetings
took place in Montreal and Ncw-York, and while
AZ the latter place was in session, ana there was
fair prospect of arriving at some arrangement, the
tactics adopted on previous occasion we've again
rosorted to- and the agents of the same line acting,
il is believed in concert with those of the Lake
Shore aud New-YoTk Central Companies, made
heavy reduction in the rates on live stock and threw
all the negotiations into confusion
Ii is considered to be 10 the credit Of the persons
representing the Northern route that notwithstand-
ing what had taken place, they continued TO show
willingness TO continue negotiations. and the meet
ings i'm New-York terminated with an understanding
that further efforts would be made by the repre-
sentaiiyes of the Western lines and those terminal
ing in England 20 bring about an arrangement.
The fact seems to he generally understood that
for years past tho Northern route, being some
what longer than the more southerly one.
and lying so far north rs 20 be seriously affected
by the climate has been allowed n differ
ence in rates on the higher classes OF freight such
"a live stock, porishablc goods &c At different
times this has been recognized b. agreements but
for some time prior TO the date of these meetings to
which reference has been made, agreement OK
listed between tho companies competing for the
Ncw-Engond traffic, and il of the objects of
these conferences To- determine exactly the amount
of such differences 80 a. to establish by all routes
uniform tariff only varied by such amounts might
bc conceded 10 the Northern line. Pending the re-
suit OF the further efforts which ii was agreed
should be made, il appears that the NewYork
Central Company issued privately an order to its
agents and connections to make such rates for east
bound traffic would regain hat was said TO have
been taken from that line by the Northern route !
and to retain it aftorward, which, il is asserted |
plainly meant that they were To make any rates |
they liked for the traffic and to get II ut all hazards
Such an order OF course could have but one effect,
and that must have been foreseen when il was |
issued The representatives OF the Chicago Pool |
lines meeting few days afterward, broke up the |
arrangement which had been in existence since last
Autumn and a few days later, at a meeting in |
trunk lines in regard to east-bound traffic, |
which had also been in existence from the |
Autumn of 1879 were brought TO an end. fierce |
co,oretition for traffic both to Ncw-EnglaBd and |
New-York followed and business is now done ut |
rates wholly unrcmuneratiye. The Presidents of |
the Pennsylvania and Enc Companies Immediately |
set 10 work 70 brig about some understanding and
prevent the spread Of such perncious and hurtfu |
competition. calculated to benefit no one, but |
simply TO disturb trade and give oppor-
tnnity for reckless gambling in the stocks OF
the various railway companies affected by it, |
They have been met by the gentlemen representing
the Northern lines with renewed expression of
willingness to have their considered, and an
offer to be guided very much by the decision of
these gentlemen and the representatives Of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad. After communication
with representatives of the Central Vermont. Mich-
gan Central and Grand Trunk Companies Col |
Scott Mr. Jewett, and Mr. King addressed the fol-
lowing communication to the President and Vice
President of the Ncw-York Central:
NEw-YORR April 27, 1876.
Cou,noSore c. yASDERBILr, President, W. ii. WANDER
nur. Vice President e,e-Tork Central and Hudson
Rirsy Railroad Company
GENTLEMEN Believing that the existing differences In
regard to transportation of easbound traffic are not
understood IA thoroughly IA they should be- and that
these differences should be adjusted basis OF equity
TO NIL Interests through Geographic correspond
euce requested Mr. ckson Of the Grand Trunk line and
Gov Smith of the Vermont Central 10 meet u In New
York nnd talk the subject over TO see whether we could
not arrive satisfactory basis OF adjustment We
believe that your line between the West and New
England ought to make q reasonable concession to tho
Grand Trunk route which embraces that line the YER