New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-27

in the West viii probably he reduced. The
evening system has been misrepresented and mis-
understood. 1t Is made necessary by the present
condition of the live stock business, which has been
concentrated in a few hands. The owner OF fifty
cattle no longer ships them East himself, Out sehuS
them to one of the extensive operators VINO coptIOl
the trade. In order to secure tar percentage Vi INC
business to each Of the lines the evening system
is used. The amounts paid do not come out Oh the
revenues of the companies as is often asserteu DuV
ont of the stock. And the payments are sui as
There are twelve tons of cattle TO a car-load-Z4,
600 pounds. If $40 per car IS pald 10 tn n
eveneTs' 1t amounts to less than TWO HiIs
per pound. What difference does that make TO inc
cOnsumer2 Eyeners have sometimes lost money
on their business. They cannot send the cattle
wherever they please, aud sometimes nave 20 s cn
them long distance out of the course most COLI
yenient for them"
HOW THE PUBLIC WILL BE BENEFITED.
"Do you not think that pooling of East-bound
freights and an increase of rates will call out much
public criticismi"
There is no reason why they should. These
changes will no cause injury to business,
and they will benefit holders of railroad
securities and, in tho end the general
public. Excessive rates will not be charged. Some
of the lines have been carrying freights at great
loss. Generally speaking, there is profit in trans
porting freight at less than a cent ton per mile,
but great quantities have been carried Of late at
onefourth and three-egbths of AGENT For years the
which any fair-minded body of men, legislators
and Others, would say were lower than the public
was entitled to expect. In any investigation OF
the subject it would be necessary to consider
the average COST while on our line, by
careful management, we have been able to
reduce the cost below the average. Unreason-
ably low rates do not benefit the great mass or
the people and If rates lowered at any tlme tine
consumer is rarely able to buy more cheaDly. Inc
shippers at the western end of the line, say IN C-
cagO reap most of the advantage Ihey are as Keen
as we are and are quick to turn TO their own pr0ht
any reduction that may be made. 1t Is very hard TO
get the better of those men in Chicago. Any one VINO
may make the attempt Is likely TO DC as much
disappointed as man who is fond of fast horses
and goes into the country expecting to get good
tTOtter ut low price. If he thinks that he knows
any more than the cOuntryman ABOUT Iast morse
flesh and its value he will speedily find out his mis-
take"
How soon do you expect the pooling system in
East-bOund fTeights to be IN ODeratlOnT
1t will take considerable time TO prepare Il, re-
spOnded Mr. Vanderbilt " There are many details
TO be adjusted and many interests to be considered
Possibly month may be required TO get the plan
Was there not before this conference some I'M
easness among railroad officials in regard to your
II think there was; but it has been entirely re-
moved bv the conference. Some railroad men may
have had the idea since obtained control OF
the Michigan Central that l intended TO crowd
them. | never had any purpose OF the sort.
don't wish TO injure other lines donU
want to add to the number OF bank
rupt railroads this country. don't want to COM
pete with bankrupt railroads. My policy is con-
seryative not destructive. Generally when men
possess much power their views become conserya-
tiyep
"Was not this conference one of the most i'm;
portant gatherings of railroad men ever convened
In the United States ~
1T Certainly was. Nearly q hundred railroad
officials cot together here and it was remarkably
intelligent and able body of men. never saw SO
much ability in a railroad gathering before. And
the results of the conference in my opinion, will be
good for all the parties interested and for the bust
ness of the Country"