New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-14
THE WARRING rRUNK LINES.
40 PRESENT PROSPECT or ATRUCE on EAsT-BoCNI
FI.IIGITS.

no PRESENT PROSPECT or ATRUCE on EAsT-BOCND
FLIIGHTS
Since the formation of the compact between the
representatives, Of the tUnk-lineS, unusual efforts
have been made 10y Of the leading railroad men
10 maintain at least a scmbance OF harmony and
fair-deaing between the companies, and meetings 10
adjust the constantly recurring differences have
been held almost weekly, 1t each Of which it was
given ont that tie officers had pledged themselves
to a strict Observance Of the many agreements that
from time 10 time were made between them The
open declaration Of war between these lines, which
was announced nycstcrday's IRIBU NJ, was regarded
by prominent railroad men yesterday conclusive
evidence that the enforcement of any agreement
between the trnk-lines 10 control traffic and rates
was impracticable Some Of these men expressed
much disgust aud indignation at the manner III
which they had been induced 10 adhere to schedule
rates while their rivals, they claimed were quietly
taking whatever business they could obtain at
,luced prices The cutting by the fast-freght lines
on East-bound traffic it was stated had been going
on for several weeks but in the depressed condition
of business it was not Immediately discovered.
Some effort was made yesterday to create the IN
preston that the trunk lines were still adheung
to schedule rates and that all The cutting of rates
had been done 10y the fIst-frcight lines. Informal
ton was obtained, however by Tribune reporters
from official sources thai the active cutting in rates
between the represent aliycs of which bitter war
fare was Waging. A contract for the shipment Of
large quantity of flour from st. Louis To New-lork
was made Yesterday 10y the direct representatives of
one OF the truuk-incs at 30 cents "a baTrel-a rate
much below the schedule prices. Similar contracts
were made for the transportation Of grain and other
classes Of freight from Chicago and other portions
of the Northwest. In brief, stated substantially
I'm Yesterdays tribune, agents were instructed 10
get the freight offering AT the best rates obtaiuabe,
but to be to get the freight. 1T is too absurd
10 admit of discussion remarked a prominent rail
road official yesterday to TRIBUNE reporter, IT
talk about the trunk-hn not beng responsible
for the contracts made by the fast-Ieght lines
passing over their roads. he sub ertuge by which
IL is thus sought to evade the terms If the agree
mcnts between the trunk VIII avail them moth
mg. BY such "A tuck any gwen He, II permitted,
might send all it, business fastireigt, and at pres
ent any two lines can easily carry al the freight that
is being offered in tie West"
II was thought Yesterday that no further effort
would be made at present To settle the difficulties
between the different companies, some Of the man
ayers il Was claimed, h.vl grown thoroughly dis
gust q with the way III WIlch te business ma beeh
conducted during the whole of tine current year.
Mr.. Rutter of the New-IOrk Central, seemed dis
posed 10 consume as little time as possible ~ regard
to railroad matters in conversation with TRIBUNE
reporter yesterday. He denied that the trunk-nes
had opened war on East-bOund freight On the con-
trary every effort, he said, was making TO secure per
feet harmony among the lines. violation of the
pact in making small flour contract IN the West lie
declared gave rise TO all the talk new being heard
the subject ot cutting rates. 30 Tar as the New
York Central was concerned lac stated positively
that no instructions had been gwen TO the agents 10
protect their customers and the interests Of tine
pay without reference TO schedule rates. Mr. Rut-
ter would say nothing III regard 10 the other trunk
or freight lines. lie only spoke with authority for
his own road and declined 10 say any hing about any
Western connections.
Notwithstanding MIR. Rutter's denial Of the state
ment that the tIunK-llucs were cutting rates.
plol6 of the Newly Ork Central, occupying "A prOmi-
nent position IN the company, and one which gave
MIN "A knowledge of the matters whereof he spoke,
admitted that the account Of the rallrO ld-war, as
published in InH TRIBUNE yesterday morning, was
substantially true IN every PARTICULAR