New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-02
RAILROAD COMBINATION.


An adjourned meeting of the presidents of the
trunk lines is to be held city next Thursday In
formation was obtained last week from Trustworthy
source that leading railroad men, including the pFes-
dents the trunk lines look upon the present siuatoh
OF affairs being very critical and the result Oh the
meeting "a Thursday is awaited with much anxiety. ono
OF the primary objects OF the recent meetings OF the man
ayers of the trunk lines and the Western railroads at the
Windsor Hotel was TO settle the difficulties existing be-
tween the leading Western railroads Whlch connect inc
trunk lines with St. Lolls and chicago Inc
committee appointed at the Chicago meeting re-
GENTLY to adjust these differences, having faed
TO agree upon any plan, appeal was made 10 the
trunk lines for their assistance in inforcng equal rates
over the several routes This be done only by the
trunk lines refusing carry freight for any ROAD "hcn
fails to observe the schedule rates 1t conceded py all
however that II any of the Western roads shouu 'A
contracts agreeing to bill the freight at schedule races
and subsequently to pay rebate to the shipper 1t might
be impossible to detect such transaction 1t coud III
any case be discovered only in an indirect way
The principal question, however which still remains
unsettled and which is the chief source OF anxiety
railroad managers Is the position thas may DC
taken by the Grand Trunk Railway OF Canada III was
expected that representatives from this road Woud DC
present at the meeting of the presidents here last week
1t is known that the time the meeting was In SEES
son the president the Grand Trunk was in the west
ern part OF the State whence ne went to Phila-
deIpha without coming here, although he was
strongly urged by telegraph to visit this city
His failure TO be represented at the meeting
is REGARDED strong indication, NJ leas"
of his reluctance join the great pool AT the meeting
last week. Mr. Vanderbilt expressed strong desire TO
maintain adequate rates between the East and west
without the cooperation OF the Grand Trunk however
he claimed that 1t would be almost impossible TO ENFORCE
the maintenance Of agreed rates from Chicago An az
tempt TO punish OF the Western roads Tor VIOLATION
OF agreement TO rates. by refusing to carry It's
would naturally be followed by an alliance between te
offending road and the Grand Trunk by which, at slightly
ropced rates large portion of the New-England busi
ness now done BY the NewYork Central would 60 by the
more northery route Suppose for Instance Mr van
derbilt said "the Michigan Central shoud DC
detected in cutting rates and punish it, the New-fork
Central should refuse to its through freight NJ less
than local rates 1t would he easy matter, Mr. Van
derbt claims for the Michigan Central to make an al
rangemen with the Grand Trunk to carry all its through
freight at lower rates in the aggregate than those
charged by the pool Mr. Vanderbilt desired to know II
1t vas expected that the NewYork Central would be will
ling to suffer by limiting its west-bound traffic from this
city to one-third OF the total shipments, and, at
the same tlme to allow large portion o.
its New-England business to DO taken from 1t. AT
The meetu of the managers the Western roads at the
windsor Hotel last week. when il became apparent that
Mr. Iedvard the General Manager OF the Michigan Cen
trail would not present, Mr. Sloan, the president OF
the company was asked to attend as its representative
replied
could take no active part in the proceedings In the alb
sencs OF his general manager This action Of the repre-
sentatves OF the Michigan Central received some very
unfriendy comments at the meeting. and was inter-
preed AS indicating disposition not to take part in tho
movement for establishing equal rates to the East.
THE GRAND TRUNK NECESSARY IN THE POOL
twas therefore, conceded by all that it was ssary
~ bring the Grand Trunk into the pool and hence the
adjournment OF both meetings until next Thursday.
Meantime the Western managers advised by the
presidents the trunk lines TO maintain amicabe rela-
tions with each other until the result Of the meeting this
week, could be known and at meeting held Thursday
evening it is understood they adopted resolution to
cept the advice
n the managers OF the trunk lines fail TO induce the
Grand Trunk to enter the pool, the only left by
which they may be able to protect the New-York Cen
trails interest the New gland States is to persuade
the Michigan Central to refuse business OF the Grand
Trunk at than local rates. by which the latter would
be deprived Of its principal connection with Chicago II
would still have a connection with Chicago over the
Chicago Port Huron and Canada Railroad. which
opened early last Spring competing line with the
Michigan Central but ITS business 1t understood has
been confined principally to the transportation Of freight
Its eastern end connects with the Grand Trunk at
Port Huron. whence it runs to Valparaiso.
| Indiana. From this point to Chicago the company
has u contract for the transportation OF its cars over the
Pttsburg Fort Wayne and Chicago Rallroad-a pact of
The Pennsylvania Railroad system. The contract ex-
tends number OF years, bur rs 1t IL over Line be
|
claimed that, in case OF quarrel between member Of
the pool the Grand Trunk, the Pennsylvania Com
pany probably break the agreement, or give such
noyance as TO make the route npacticaDc as the only
| outlet for the Grand Trunk.
The question of attempting to compel the Michigan
Central TO work the interests OF the trunk lines by
refusing to forward its freight any other
instlce of course however, II is admitted that
| il would probably fail to produce the desired result
alliance offensive and defensive, with The Grand Trunk
as above indicated. Ii is also frankly admitted by the
fha IYfful Il
business with New-Engand and NewYork at the
| same rates those charged by the Central
the long aud OF the Grand
Trunk aad its Liability 10 be biOckdded by snow during
portion of the year Indeed TINS point is advanced by
the Grand Trunk managers reason why IL cannot
afford join the Southern (unted States lines IN an
agreement TO MAINTAIN equal rates. Either the Grand
Trunk il therefore maintained must be content with
the business naturally hOWlng to IT, ana leave the New
! England aud New York traffic to the more favored
Southern routes. IL viii have TO maintain its indie
pondelce and offer lower rates TOR transportation thai
these charged by the Central The latter course, II
movement djnstment Of the differences between
the Western lines unless the Michigan Central could be
either persuaded or forced into working arrangement
with pool to The exclusion Of the Grand TrunE, and
possibly this would accomplish the desired result
Those who Intimately acquainted with the rue sltua-
ton Of affairs do not hesitate TO express IN
very grave doubts to the success OF th meetns ths
week much anxiety regarding the future interests
OF the trunk lines
BALTIMORE AND oHIos ATTITUDE.
Another subject which before the conference
week. and which still remains unsettled is the position
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad with respect to the
other trunk lines regards the justice OF Its claims to
any portion the NewYork business. 1t is claimed by
the Baltimore and ONO, that, If allowed to work indo-
pendently it could fully one-nth Of the bus-
| ness from this city to the West, and, in view OF
! this fact Its allowance OF only per cent is
manifestly too low. For time, the company
/ insisted upon increase OF its perez ntage
but at the meeting it Is stated, MI Garrett CO B-
scented to let the matter rest for the present Tn oncr
managers and especially Mr. Vanderbilt. claim that the
Baltimore and Oao is not entitled, under natural and
equitable apportOnment OF the business 10 any freight