, 1877-10-07
Outcome Of the Great Meeting OF Presl-
dents and Managers in
New York.
A Harmonious Union Of Nearly All
the Great Roads Effected.
The Baltimore & Ohio Still Dis
satisfied with It's A1lot-
nept.


| New YORK, Oct. G.-Ihe most complete rep
| rescntatiye body Of railroad managers that ever
assembled in the United States closed its three
days' conference this morning, having accom-.
| nlishcd all its purposed. The object OF the
meeting was mainly to find some plan hy which
ia secure the aid OF the trunk lines in enforcing
freight agreements among the Western roads,
which the Western roads themselves found
rreat difficulty in doing. 4 petition for CO.
oncration to this end brought together
the Presidents aud encral-Alanagcrs Of all the
lines interested, large and small. AS to the
object OF the call all were Of one opinion re-
rarding the necessity Of combined action, If the
| railroads we're to be run for the purpose OF
| making money as we'll as Of carrying freight
and passengers There were many details upon
| which differences Of opinion were expressed.
The livestock distributing plan Of three OF the
trunk lines rritatcd some of the Western men,
but its explanation seems to have satisfied
them that it need not he 4 cause for refusing to
reach general conclusion. One by one the OBJ
iections to the agreement were overcome, and
perfectly unanimous action Was secured.
Col j. f. Simpson, Of the Vandalia Railroad =;
j. n. Mccullough, OF the Pittsburg Il Fort
Wavnc; W. Il. Miner, OF tho Grand Trunk Of
Canada; ". II. Perry. OF the Canada Southern
and John ucwcll, OF the Lake Shore, were ap-
pointed committee to carry out the details and
arrange such further business between tho lines
as shall be necessary in carrying out the terms
of tho agreement.
In RESPONSE to Times reporter, Mr. ". II.
Vanderbilt, who was in most cheerful frame
Of mind, said he considered the work accoua-
plisl1ed BY the meeting subject for congratu-
lation by all classes Of businessmen. 1t was
certainly astonishing to railroad.mcn to
see such meeting. He had never
contemplated so complete and harmonious
union of Ill the railroads of the
country for an object which oil knew
WAS Il common necessity, yet which had always
seemed so far from possible to accomplish,
"Why,n said he, &. here were gathered, without
pressure or solicitation from the trunk lines, NIL
t.r Western roads between Omaha and Chicago,
anu I'LL united, not one exception, in presenting
Il petition to the trunk lines to assist them in
breaking up the method by which
they hare been doing business to caci,
otAcrs' ruin. and 10 the unsettling Of
trade. Thirty-ninc roads signed this petition.
We are asked to supervise wcst-bound freight,
to STE to it that no railroad cuts UNDER and
further, to Withdraw the patronage OF the
trunl; lines from the first road that breaks away
There Was a desire awhile ago to force this plan
upon the Western roads, but would l,aycnoth-
ing to do with it, ana would only consent
to Join with the other Presidents in promising
assistance when the unanimous desire OF the
Western roads was submitted in black and
white. This plan does not bind tho connections
to existing rates. II it should be considered ad-
visable, rates will be increased, but tcy will go
W simultaneously on all the roads, aud viii
also be uniform between the competing points"
When it was suggested that this action Of the
railroad managers would have favorable effect
OH stocks in Wall street, Mr.. Vanderbilt leaned
back in lis chair With an amused expression, and
slowly replied: 'Oli, Wall street is very small
part OF this country.'., lie sail that in the
meeting OF PresilG!1s there was some considera-
tion Of the claim OF the Baltimore d Ohio
for larger percentage OF freight under
would ret more. .The New York Central,''
said he, dots not want to turn over any
freight, and wants rather more than less than
- per cent? lie said that the matter was not
settled, but that If any change was made it
would be upon an cqu table basis his matter
had been referred to Mr.. Albert Fink, the ap-
portionmcnt Commissioner, and lie would make
report to tho Presidents ut the next meeting.
Ut Mr.. Finl1's work Mr.. Vanderbilt spoke in
the highest terms Of conlncntlation, saying that
it gave entire satisfaction to all concerned Tic
also said that the probability was that the action
Of the Western roads would result III the an
pont1ncnt of 4 Commissioner With similar pOT-
crs to those given to Mr.. Fink, and the distrbu-
tiOn OF ireights in i more systematic manner
than heretofore.
Mr. Vanderbilt said that all disputes between
the New York Central, Grand Trunk, aud New
England lines had been satisfactorily adjusted
lie declared that the eycnng-uD plan in the
transportation of live stock was the only
practicable one, and onld probably be n1ain-
tu!ncd. The live stock must be distributed and
its distribution must be paid for. It might
seem 70 be good deal to pay SIS a car for the
work, hut it really was not.
AT. Jcwctt, Receiver Of the Erie Road, was
also wcll-pcascd with the result Of the meet
ing. He said the trunk lines had no power to
compel any Of the roads to maintain rates until
the privilege Of Withdrawing patronage from
offending connections had been placed in their
hands by the Western roads. In reference to
the discussion about the Baltimore d Ohio's
demand Tor re&n increased share uf frcigllts under
the superintendent, lie said that no one was
anxious to yield any Of their proportion, and lie
believed the matter would be- satisfactorily set
tied The report from Philadelphia ttat the
Pennsylvania Railroad was dcsirous Of getting
rid ol its lease of the New Jersey Division was
laughed at. and was said by Col. Scott's sccrc-
tary to be without foundation and entirely 9b-
surd.
To tho Western Associated Press.
New York, Oct. 6.--At noon today tho Cen
cral Managers Of the railroads and the Freight
Agents VT re unable to agree, and the Presidents
Of the trunk lines adjourned their session to tho
1ath inst. Col. Scott informed reporter that
all questions brought before the meeting were
still III abeyancc, tic could not say what plan
the General Managers and Freight Agents would
agree upon, but whatever action they tuok
would require the Endorsement Of the PTcs-
dents.
This afternoon closed their sitting. An
agreement was drawn up and today signed by
every representative present. The rates have
not been changed, and will be strictly adhered
to. a representative Of one OF the prominent