The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-22
PAYING THE PIPER.

REIMBURsING MERCHANTS FOR THE GOODS DE-
srRoYED AT Observation-Disclosures COUNTY
DECLARED 10 BE RESPONSIBLE
PHILADELPHIA, August II, 1877.
The sequel TO tho railroad riot Is just beg nng
be enacted The question Of damage Is to be met
the discussion OF the matter has begun. The commit
tees who were appointed 10 consider the claims Tor
posses received by merchants and shippers
representing the Maritime Exchange and
the other the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
had long conference this morning The
policy of the railroad company was unmistak-
ably expressed In the speech of Colonel Scott,
which he assumed that Allegheny county is respon
sibo for all the losses. Mr.. Scott stated that II
his desire that those claims for loss by the
riots should get their money in the quickest way pos
sibe, and he thought tho interests OF all tho parties
concerned would be promoted by the acceptance Of
the circular issued August II; that there
express law passed for such cases as this
which provides that the ownors Of goods damaged by
riots should he paid BY the county OF Allegheny; but
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company are not owners
OF these goods they caunot collect tho lUss OF tho
county OF Allegheny but suit must be brought against
tho county In the name OF the owner II the Pennsy
TO pay the losses sustained by the shippers
and merchants might lead to conf plea
upon the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, who
much the victims OF the parties engaged IN the riots
the merchants and shippera Tho quickest way he
thought to collect the losses from Allegheny county
wouu be by following the course laid down IN their
circular The Pennsylvania Railroad were willing to
give claimants any guarantee that the claims would be
prosecuted soon us their own claims were, aud TO
promote this he suggested that committee be ap
pointed by the merchants to cooperate with the
ommittce oil the Board OF Directors, to act
Of joint committee to take charge OF the prose-
cution ut tho expense OF the Pennsyvsnia Railroad.
but be completely undcr their control and dIrcc
tiop aud distant from the Pennsylvania Railroad
though presented by individual merchants.
The Maritime Exchange Committee suggested that
accede 10 The proposition OF the railroad company
as per circular Of August II II they would give such
and claimants guarantee mat private claims
would be prosecuted In advance Of the claims OF the
company.
Colonel Scott tod this only for the purpose
eli making common against Allegheny county.
Ho would conccdc and TO give claims pro-
ccdencc over tho claims OF his company He wished 1t
TO be distinctly understood however, that he only
willing to do this Tor the sake OF getting all the
chants " combine against the parties wero
liable under the law II was stated that
OF the merchants iclt retcens about
bills OF ading, receipts and other private
papers, for fear or embarrassing their future course
Mr.. Scott said that au such documents could DO
coipted for and controlled by o joint committee
prosecute the claims He dia not think thore would
be much difficulty collecting the claims. property
IN Allegheny county was assessed at S245 600 600,
ana tax on this assessment sufficient TO
wipe out the entire claim against the county
would DO tut / 6-l0 Of mill the
dollar. For the Pennsylvania railroad Company's
claims therc express law under which such losses
as they have sustained eau be recovered, and claim
ants proper indicated to collect their losses,
so that there could be no claim against the company
under their Liabilities as common carriers.
There will DO another conference OF the com ttoe
for the railroad company in tho form requested by that
corporation.