New-York tribune., 1878-05-11

used IN the Transporting OF the gram ls matter
which concerns only the bond and stockholders OF
the roads engaged in the business. But the mer-
chants of this city have deeper and different inter
est Let 1t be remembered that by the trunk line
compact the railway rate from Chicago to Baltimore
is fixed at cents per 100 pounds less than the rail-
way rate from Chicago to New-York; also that dur
ing the close of inland navigation this dscrimina-
ion exists and is enforced against the merchants of
this city. For this unjlst discrimination, which
prevails four months ont of the year, the merchants
of this city have looked for compensation IN
the lower rates afforded by water during eight
months Of the year. But railway competitive
rates now from Chicago TO New-York also mean still
lower railway rates to Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Moreover, the rates from st. Louis depend and are
based upon the rates made at Chicago. So that
rail rate of 3 cents from Chicago to New-York will
offer to st. Louis lower arail rates 17l2l to the
Atlantic ports than afforded by rail to the lake
ports and thence by water. Aud here New-York Is
made to suffer again. The railroad compact is in ex-
stence. and the rate to Baltimore from st. Louis is
cents less than TO New-York. Upon this new war
The Chicago Tribune says
The greatest farce ever enacted by railroads is
the agreement between the roads leading east from
this city regard TO the east-bound business The
agreement was entered into about two months ago,
and provides pooling Of the east-bound traffic,
each line agreeing to accept certain percentage,
and Mr. Guilford, the Western Commissioner, was to
have made the division. But not for a moment has
the agreement been carried out, and Mr. GuilfOrd
is as poweress to enforce it as a straw man.
About two weeks ago the General Freight
Agents met at Commissioner Guilford's Off ce and
agecd TO maintain 25.cent rate on grain, but be-
fore day had passed competition was as lively as
ever and rates dropped again to 20 cents. During
flol lng fgy, L Il.
Commissioner Guilford to have the rates restored,
and IN these efforts he has been backed by the man.
ayers of the roads leading east from St. Louis and
other Western points, who preferred to do small
business at fair rates rather than large business at
losing ones. Yet in the face of ali this il il reported
that the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail-
road contracted for grain yesterday at 10
cents per 100 pounds from Chicago to New-YOTk.
This action not only does not help Chicago, but,
the contrary dscrimnates badly against it. If the
rates are % cents from Chicago, they are CORE
spOndingly high from other Western points, and con-
sequently business seeks the cheaper channel Ivy
lake and comes TO Chicago. As. for instance. with
a 2J-cent rate from Chicago TO New-YOrk. the rate
from -. Louis is % cents. With 20-cent rate
from Chicago, the rate from st. Louis Is only %
cents, and with lj-cent rate from Chicago, the
rate from 81 LOUIS is but 17l2 cents. At this figure
1 cents per 100 pounds less via St Louis than via
Chicago, and as even the lake and rail routes from
this city cannot go lower than , cents, the bus-
ness will be diverted from this city. The only ex
panaton that can be made of the action of Mr. Van
derbill's road is that Mr. Vanderbilt is anxious to
break the Eastern pools. and force much bust
ness rs possible on the New-YoTk Central Unless a
speedy settlement of the present difficulties Is e-
fe cted, one of the iercest railroad wars ever wit
messed will undoubtedly be Inaugurated among the
Eastern roads, which Will knock both the eest and
west-bound pools higher than kite
OF the stock market during the week ending to-
day there II little relate which has not been pre-
scented in our daily comments. Tho total transac-
tlons amounted 10 5G7.201 shares, against Gs0.G2S
for the preceding dull week. Prices have been
luctuating, and IN "a majority Of cases the final
sales show a dec uo of from Is to per cent. Note
worthy aInong the exceptions to the rule are the
coal stocks, which close from q 1ai per cent
higher than the figures Of last Friday, and the st.
Pauls. which show gam Of II. Excepting United
Statcs, the express stocks are higher-We ellis
Fargo, q, American If. aud Adams, e per cent.