The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-17

full share in anything for New Yorks good
that New York could possibly ask us in reason
to do. and we stll stand in that position. and
mean 10 maintain our business iothr best OF our
ability. But DO not ask the railroads to bear all
the burden of the strife. for they cannct do IT,
ruilrond WIZ would have to be one of eXtcr-
mineilon. and that we wish TO avoid"
Mr. n. harrington called attention to the griev-
ance OF contract on special rates iavoring other
citins.
Mr. c. c. Dodge said: "We claim TINT ratcs
for through frcighis should cover cost Of ocean
Transportation and u lair railroad tarin not less
than the safne goods from the same scnhoard TO
the same destination would always be chnrgrd
Tor freight. allowing reasonable expenses ior
nandlinsand TRANSFER from the steamers 10 ,qrs:
We nlso claim That through frrghts Nln NeW
York should ALWAYS bc mndc ns low as rates i1r
slmilnr goods between the same points can De
Mr. Davis also spoke about the dIscrlmna-
Mir. vanderbilt said that the rates on fourth
class freight had been So reduced That the tarin
is now but about three -qtLirt-r OF cent per
ton p'r mile. and that nll tarhs now scem on
er2us to merchnnts because ior ycars ns. p, ,s tne
ruinous to themselves. ,,,,..
Mr.. +. u. Thurber spoke. upon the desirahility
Soc9s 90 o9sHhS td he west With tosc on goods sent
from hero. So that there should not he dis
crmination in favor OF through freight goods.
Eecaivcr Jeweti said that an attempt had been
made 10 elunlize through freight tariffs from
Europe 10 the West. in doing which the greater
expense of rcachng Philadelphia and Balu-
more. Ivy reason of delay, risk. Insurance. DC.
had bosn taken into consideration.
Mr. Dodge said that III" merchants Of New
YORK would agree 10 plcdgc their shipments
and all they could influence X they could be- AS
sured TINT their freight would go at rs low rates
as freight from other scabOard cities.
Mr.. Jcwett brought up the question OF ter
minal facilities. contrasting the advantages Of
York in that regard and said that he thought
the cooperation - for the cty's good should
not all be on the side of the railroads tut should
be- participated in 10y the merchants and the
city authorities.
Slr Thurber asked him II he wonld cooperate
IN the establishment Of the belt freight line. for
tho iurtherancc Of all interests.
Mr.. Jewctt replied: " Ti,e question OF the belt
line is one IN which ! have no interest. but If
tainly viii not object II the MERCHANTS are dis
posed tdaid the Erie road IL will have to be in
the establishment Of docks. in afording 1t
place To handle its traffic | am willing 10 coope.
rate with the merchants IN MAINTAINING and
STRENGTHENING their position, and would gladly
cooperate with the New York Central. and
would BE- far from iuterposing any objection to
any facility offered to that road. though tina
Erie might not at the time be- able 10 avail itself
tcres,s Of New YORK would b'odecmed a COM
pensatiN hy the Erie road"
Mr. Thurher assured the representatives OF
both roads that the merchants of New York
would cooperate In any effort 10 enlarge their
Mr.. c. :. Smith spoke Of the evils of the pres
ent classification system. and Mr.. Hawlcy pro-
tested ugnlnst the lassiflcation Of tea.
Mr.. j. :. Barron spoke Of the injurious classl-
nation made under II against New York. He
also called attention to an existent system OF
charging freight on short weights in other cities
-chargi ms ZOO pounds rs $50 pounds. for in
stance TO give percentage OF advantage against
New York.
Mr.. Jackson s. Schultz argued in favor OF re-
duclng all freights 10 the fourth class has son
an estimate OF density OF say ten tons 10 the ear
load-nnd permitting merchants toclassify their
goods Tor themselves according TO the amount
OF value they placed upon them for insurance
By the carrying cOmpauics
MIR. Cornelius Bliss snii he had the names OF
twenty-five exclusively Eastern houses. doing n
business OF Os"r slJU.uNUOOu annually in dry
gonds IN New York, the largest portion OF whose
sales wen, 10 the West. and IT the present state
20 back 10 the places whence they came. or cs-
tablish themselves IN other cities where they
can ship their goods to their customers without
the injurious discrimination against them from
which they now suffer here.
Mr.. i. H. Thurher spoke Of the CONTRACT sys-
TEN as powerful device to build up Western
Johbing houses Al the expense OF New York.
Mr. Vanderbilt said that he WIS not thorough
ly informed on the details Of the classification
system. hut II would undoubtedly hr mad" right
by the traffic managers ard rrlu 'sird that mrr
chants would report t. them any cu-. of which
they were informed of eVas ions and violations
Of the pool rates t. the injury of New York trade
II there ever WIS a spirit Of antagonisni.' he
said. between CLASSES or interests tils time has
come when II should be given up W. are all
strugg ing. and all the New York roads can do
IN concert with the merchants we shall cheer
fully do. and we will protect New York against
competition In any shape as far ms 1t is possible
for US 10 do So
rates rs permanentF No change contemplated 2"
Mr.. Nanderbilt-I consider that that is a mat
ter of negotiation II Is very doubtful II we could
accomplish anything 10y an open rupture.