The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-25
A GRAIN FREIGHT WAR.

MR. WILLIAM a. vANDERBILTs MISSION
ABRoAD-wHAT BE SEEKS TO ACCOMPLISH.
There have been OF late In the financial cen.
tres oil THIS city that war threatened between
the Pennsylvania Railroad and tho New York Central
and Hudson River road In the matter Of passenger
rates. II was stated that Colonel Scott had been
asked by Mr. William n. Vanderbilt TO agree TO q
certain running time passenger trans between
New York and ST. Louis; that Colonel Scott refused,
and that Mr. Vanderbilt consequently determined TO
reduce his time The statement that Colonel Scott
had taken this position was doubted last The
rumor that there this difference on the
part OF the management OF the roads IN
the matter OF running tme-a difference Of
course calculated TO appeal to-, that portion
Of the travelling public which Is always In hurry
was supplemented by the report that the New York
Central intended, the ncxt stage In the war, to re-
duce the passenger rate between New York and Chi
cage from $40 10 Sl5 Mr. c. B. Meeker, general
passenger agent OF The New York Central yesterday
denied the story OF the proposed reduction. No such
rate went into enec. yesterday. The rcmors Of the
trouble were, however, mainly correct
A sIGxirIcAST TRIP TO EUROPE.
Following op the heels or these rumors are stlll
others Of Ear moro decided Importance not only for
railroad circles but for the general commercial inter-
es,s OF this city, These relate 10 the great grain
transportation and other freight from the West and
other cities against tnls port Inc pres.
ence OF Mr. William h. vanderbili In Europe has sud.
denly assumed fresher and stronger significance.
What II means IN the minds Of some can DO gained
from the following outline OF conversation last even
ing with gentleman well poseu on the inner history
OF the commercial circles OF which be speaks:-
"Wny IS II that the commerce OF New York city ID
crippled 10 the important matter OF grain treghtsf"
because the statistics OF last years gram rcights
win SHOW TINS port IN ,n ~, par 'na ne o. v.gns
millstones glance al the statistics Of 1876, Of the
various shipments Of grain from Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, shows. month by
month"; difference against this port II IS asked
by the representatives OF the various commercial in
terests here why this discrimination Is allowed ~ Is
well known that The 18th OF April al the rooms Of
the Grain Committee OF the Produce Exchange IN
Pearl street, meeting was nela a. wncn were present
try 10 consider some means Of equaizing terminal
expenses. This meeting passed resolutions calculated
10 remedv this evil. These resolutions were
referred TO the Grain Committee and were
put into shape Tor being submitted TO the
cation. Pending the time which elapsed alter theil
being so submitted question arose In the Board Of
Management as 10 their practicabity. This question
had for its main foundation the in erests involved IN
actual grain shipments, consequently these resolu.
lions which 10 have gone INTO effect on the lrs
Of ' Trade m0u Of this CITY BY the Managing
Commtlee OF tho Produce Exchange for such sug-
That reference 10 have settled any attempts as
reform 10 this direction the resolutions have not
been heard OF 70 this day.
This s probably the turning point IN Mr.. William H.
vanderuits action. AS soon as he understood that
any effort TO equalize terminal charges between the
several ports would be frutess he embarked for Eu-
rope HIS departure was the occasion for much spec
uat,on II was the outset that he had gone Io
tho purpose OF establishing Independent freight
line between this and European pors. ~
We're these specuiations Al all we'll groundsdf
! Yes Mr. Vanderbilt well know that the Pennsyl.
wanna Central and tho Baltimore and Ohio railroads
had had for long time the advantage OF him In the
transportation OF grain, aud be had made up mis- mind
| TO put end to It.
Was Mr. vanderbilt's visit to Europe precipitated
| by this state OF affairs?
Yes. Il was Mr. Vanderbilt knew that while tho
agreement between trunk lines regulating Eastern
bound grain freight rates was technically In force GER
tain lines OF steamers had been subsidized just be.
tore mis- departure Europe Mr. Vanderbilt had the
most conclusive proof that Mr. Jewct, the receiver Of
the Erie Railroad Company, had subsidized the lnman
line. Ho already knew that the pennsylvania Central
| and the Baltimore and OHIO had subsidized
lines and he thought In consideration OF his contracts
with the P oduce Exchange OF this city and his iacil
tiles Tor handling graiu that u was about time that ne
should his rights ana The prosperity OF this city
| against these underhanded calculations Hence Ms
departure important officer IN his oince last even
ing said that Mr. vanderblts endeavors had been very
successful toward establishing independent line be-
| tween New York and Liverpool for grain frcights