New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-28

colonel ScOJt, IlesluenJ Oh Ine IcunsylNdilla
Railroad, says, in an interview with TRIBUNE
correspondent, that he looks for an active Fall
business for the railroads He believes the
pooling system will work well. A repetition
of the railway strike of 1877 he never expects
to see. Colonel Scott also referred briefly to
State and National politics in Pennsylvania.
GOOD OUTLOOK FOR THE LEADING ROADS.
THE WORK or THE SARATOGA CONFERENCE Salts
FAcroRY-ANOTHER GREAT STRIKE NOT tx
PECTED- Pennsylvania POLITICS.
FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUSE.l
SARATOGA, n. Y. Aug. 27.-Colonel Thomas A.
Scott President of the Pennsylvania Railroad left
Saratoga tins morning, having been here since Fri
day afternoon. The suit before Judge Harlan at
Newport had detained him I'm that city until large
part Of the work of the Saratoga Conference of
railway officials had been completed. The interests
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, however, had been
ably represented in the meetings both of the gem
eral conference and the committee Colonel Scott
was prominent figure in the proceedings that went
after bis arrival, and Of course made himself
tirely familiar with everything that had been done
from the beginning. In conversation with
TRIBUNE correspondent yesterday the results of the
conference, the condition and prospects Of railroads
and the trade Of the country, and also inter
csting political topics, were touched upon.
do you look for an active Fail business for the
railroads and the country generally y lie was
asked.
81 do" Colonel Scott answered. The crops IN
the West larger than Tor several years. and they
must be moved. All the reports are favorable, eX
cept from certain region in the North
west and the general increase in acreage
will make mp for the falling off in that
rio, An irn demand IL aSgurpd
for the crops Of Great Britain aud France short
The railroads are now very actively employed, and
the number Of cars is not great enough to move the
freight offered as promptly as is desired. believe
there will be a steady improvement in nearly all
branches of trade and industry. The dead point
has been passed. and the country is on the way to
prosperity
VIII the proposed pool in East-bOund freights
benefit the railroads TO any great extent"
POOLING A BENEFIT TO RAILROADS AND THE PUBLIC
Pooling will be better for the railroads and the
public also. BY it all shippers will be treated
equally. One will not have advantage over
another. as when cutting of rates prevails
Business men need stable rates and equal
treatment for ALL not rates which are
ruInous to the railroads The railroads do
not seek to establish great monopoly and ex-
cessive charges. There is disposition to do that
fair profit. This they do not secure when cOmpet-
ton is carried an extreme point and rates are cut
freely The uncertainty and inequality that result
are damaging to shippers aud all concerned"
Can a pool be maintained when there are 80
many conflicting interests and in spite of the com
petition of the water routesp
at can be- in my opinion, for the leading lines and
their principal connections. 1t would not be advis-
able 10 take in the smaller lines They, however,
can bring their rates the standard OF the pool
and thus be benefited by it. The competition
of the water routes will not prevent the main
tenance of pool aud Of rates which Will
be- equitable TO the rail lines The water lines have
laid up many of their boats during the Summer be-
cause there was no profit in running them. The at
TEMPT will not be made hereafter TO bring rail rates
down 10 the level of lake aud canal rates. There
will be recognized difference between them"
Can the railroad companies generally expect
marked prosperity when railroad building III past
years has far outstripDed the needs oil the coun-
tryT
"An immense amount of capital has been sunk in
railroads WHERE il will never make any return
4 great many roads have already become bankrupt
and gone into the hands of receivers, and great
many more will do So But the prospects of the lead
ing lines of the country now good. Their profits
luot be excessive, but / look for marked lm-
proyemcnt in their condition. They are all doing
large business now. aud at much less cost than
formerly Great reductions OF expenses nave beeh
carried ont in recent years and more are to be car
ricd out. winch will make the cost OF transportation
less in this country than in any other"
A GREAT RAILWAY STRIKE NOT EXPECTED.
"Do Won think that the companies need fear more
outbreaks like those OF last yearT
'Isee no reason 10 expect another great strike at
any time The railway employees have considered
the matter have compared their pay with that OF
other mechanics and laborcrs and have found that
they are getting 20 per cent more than any other
class of workingmen he rotons spltt Oh iast year
met with reverses and checks which taught sau-
tarv lesson to those engaged in the strikes, and to
the whole country l never expect to see repetl-
tiop of the scenes of the Summer of 1877"
"In regard to one of the principal results of the
railroad conference let me ask how general will DO
the abolition Of commissions on passenger bust
ness ?"
a complete sweeping away will not be made at
once. The principal companies will close most OIL
their outside Offices and the lines not represented
NJ the conference will gradually follow their ex-
annie. In a year probably all unsettled questions
relating TO commissions will be adjusted"
"Were the settlements of the livestock matters
at issue satisfactory to al the companies
81 think so. The arrangement Whlch puts an
end IN the trouble concerning the New-England live
stock traffic is heartily welcomed. The matter had
caused much discussion and unpleasant feeling.
BEFORE this adjustment cattle could be landed IN
Boston at about half the charge for transporting
them to other seaboard cities, and there was much
COMPLAINT The settlement of rates from Chicago
and ~. Louis and of charges on cut meats in COM
,,arison with charges on live cattle, are also good
results of the conference"
as il probable that there will be any modifca-
tion of the percentages of the pool in West-bound
freight within few monthsP
mThn nercentnpes NAV be changed somewhat.