New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-11
RAIL va Y NE us.
RAILROAD STATEMENTS ANALYzED.

hAlIIhOAD STA - <h-'hbAN''AD'
A REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRADE AND TRANSFORM
TATIoN UPON THE POOLING SYSTEM.
The last meeting of the Board of Trade and
TRANSFORMATION until the second Wednesday in sepem
Der was held yesterday. b. Thurber, chairman OF the
Committee on Railroad transportation, read the report
Of the committee anayzing the arguments OF Messls
Vanderbilt Scott and Fink the pooling" system OF
which the following is a summary:
The committee admits that pool" is not necessarily
an Objectionable arrangement and in far az secures
uniform and permanent rates IL is most desirable but
when it used TO enforce eXorbitan ana
rates. 1t becomes engine OF oppression All lhe moe
dangerous on account OF its great power AZ
one time the railroad managers insisted that ~
a 100 pounds to Chicago on hrsclass goods, anu anu
propOrtionate rates other classes were reasonhpe
rates" But subsequent experience showed tnht tne3
were so unteasonable as 10 De on T i "oi
OF goods, and that even the great po"ei VI -, 90
could maintain those figures Railroad men polut "
the ny bankruptcies Of railroads ana ask u rates arr
moi low enough now But they forget to state that IN
many instances the roads are purposey wrecked Dy Tue
managers for their profit and they carefully eoce
the fact that the WesDOund rates which what the
public arc complaining about are from 100 TO zOO
arc doubtless too low hut IL should not be made up by
making the former too high aud toeratlng dlscrlmna
Sew.York Roads Discriminating Against the Com
merce OF this Cityr the committee chaTacternes
experience in railroad matters, but claims that 1t Is
hardly up the standard OF fairness generally man,
famed by him The appOrtioDment OF business to each
of the seaboard cities advised by Mr. FINK, Is anag
onisc to the Interests OF New YORK. II WIS al"aSs
made fairly 1t might be good way as could be ad-
vsed The merchants OF NevYork think that the inter
es OF tine managers OF NewYOrk railroads are so diver
sIfed that they do not pay sufficient attention TO
Westbound feights, upon which the prosperity OF the
DISTRIBUTING trade (and many other uerests In this city
depends and consequently is fast being driven to other
points. ..,. -.
The committee concludes with the opinion that no
effort can succeed maintaining the railroads on an ~
ated basis while all other interests are down 10 nard
pan There can be possible objection to an apportoh
uent of traffic when all interests are upon the same
basis hut believe 10 10 be either right or prac
ticabe that railroads should through the power OF com
bpat0n escape the general shrnkage In which all other
interests are involved During periods OF Imitation ihey
ncrt ased their capital; times OF general shrlnkage
and depression this capital upon which the community
are EXPECTED TO pay dividends should be reduced Unt
this Ia done the community hardly be expected 10
accept willingly the railroad definition OF the WoI1s
reasonable rates" established by the pool especially
when accompanied by a difereutal rate against New
York when her superior volume Of business, ana the
favorable grades OF her roads ente her 10 at least equal
rates with her competitors"
A. b. Miller, OF the Committee on Canals, onered resO-
buttons which were adopted declaring that the efficiency
OF the canals had been great as during the pres
emf wear the supervision OF superintendent Clark
t was decided that members Of the association, equally
with directors should be permitted TO take part III the
discussion of all public business and vote thereon