New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-22
RAILWAY REFORM.
IMPORTANT CHANGES AT SARATOGA.

IMPORTANT CHANGES AT SARATOGA.
COMMISSIONS ON TICKETS TO BE DISCONTINUED.
The Railroad Conference at Saratoga was
actively engaged, yesterday, in considering
the abolition of commissions on passenger
tickets, which it finally recommended.
The question of livestock freight was re-
feTed to the Western Executive Committee
and also to the Committee on Trunk Lines,
both of which are also to consider the
whole question of East-bound rates, and
are to report upon any pooling arrange
ment thatmay be deemed advisable. Only one
session was held. The conference is TO reas-
semble to-day.
THE CONFERENCE WORKING SMOOTHLY.
ABOLITION OF COMMISSIONS ON TICKETS AND THE
CLOSING OF AGENcIEs-A REPORT OK FREIGHT
RATES TO BE MADE To-Day.
IRON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIRE TRIBUNR.I
SARATOGA, n Y, Aug 21.-The representatives
Of the railroad companies now assembled at Sara
toga took steps of the greatest importance to-day.
They assented to a report recommending the aboli-
ton of all commissions tickets, and the closing
of all outside agencies. That this sweeping change
will result in an immense saving Of expense TO the
companies is beyond question. but it will be very
unwelcOme to the public, as the facilities for pur-
chasing tickets at other places than the depots have
been very popular. The conference referred the
mOmentous questions of East-bound freight rates
and pooling arrangement in regard to freights to
the East TO the Executive Committees of tile East
ern and Western lines who will report tomorrow.
There was a full attendance at the session
in the United States Hotel Club-rOom to-day,
which began at 1870 o'clock. The commit
tee appointed yesterday to consider the questions
relating to the passenger traffic, Of which John
King, jr., of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is
chairman, made a report, signed by all the members
recommending changes as follows:
That the gTaStGe Of paying commissions oIoS on the
pOyes. useless TO the public, entails enormous Toss on
the companies, and ought to be discontinued.
served by the abolition OF the present system Of paying
such commissions.
III II is further recommended that all outside agen
cies for the sale OF tickets be abolished.
w. That q circular embOdying the above recOmme1da
tons be TO all the companies, asking for their
assent, and containing clause to the effect that it will
not be binding upon them unless, and un their COM
petors have agreed thereto, and asking them to name
such competitors
The report was adopted unanimously, first by a
general vote, afterward at the suggestion of Of
the railway officials, by calling the roll and record
ing the votes President Jewett, of Erie, made
some remarks in approval of the report and pledged
the hearty cooperation of the Erie in carrying out
the agreement The conference voted 10 instruct
the committee to continue, as appointed, to carry
out the suggestions made in the report.
The subeet of livestock ferences, VIII ch was
left unsettled at the Long Branch Conference. was
referred to the Executive Committee of the Western
Associated Lines and also to the Executive Com
mittee of the Trunk Lines.
Mr.. Jewett made brief address on the import
ance of having some arrangement 10 prevent the
cutting of rates on East-bound reghts to give each
line its fair proportion of the total amount carried
and to establish rates which would bring areason-
Il. Il,
heartily applauded. There have been reports that
the Erie was not altogether in harmony with the
other lines as to pooling" and percentages, and
consequently Mr.. Jewetts words were received with
much satisfaction by the representatives of other
lines Ii was decided that the Western Executive
Committee and the Executive Committee of the
Trunk Lines should consider and report on the
whole question of East-bOund rates, and should re-
port any pooling arrangement that may be deemed
advisable TO adopt
The general meeting adjourned until 12O'cock to-
morrow in order to give the committee sufficient
time to prepare their report,
The COMMITTEES met at o'clock this afternoon to
consider the subjects referred 60 them. IL IS eX-
pected that all the companies represented herewith
assent through the signatures OF their representa-
tiyes TO the above agreement in regard 70 commits
sOns and outside agencies.
PROBABLY DELAY on THE POOLING QUESTION.
The report Of the executive committee on the
subject of live stock transportation will depend on
the action OF the representatives OF tne lines leau-
ing out from st. Louis. H. B. Hurlbut, of the
indianapolis and St. Louis Railroad, has tele-
graphed to II. Devereux to represent the interests
of his company. The st. Louis lines will make
recommendations which the Western Executive
Committee and Trunk Lines Executive Committee
will consider They will report their conclusions to
the general conference No decision has yet been
reached by the committees in regard TO a general
pooling of East-bOund freights, and probably the
conference will be occupied with live stock and
other kindred questions tomorrow, and VIII not
reach the subject of pooling until the next day.
Officials Of the New-YOrk Central and its allied
roads held conference with Erie officials this even
ing in regard to the relations Of their lines. Mr..
Jewett was asked if the arrangements for traffic be-
tween the Erie and the Lake Shore Canada Southern
ana Michigan Central lines were satisfactory, and
he replied that they entirely so. This disposed
OF the story of Mr. Jewetfs grievances against the
New-YOrk Central.
Representatives of the hog slaughterers in the
vicinity of New-YOrk were here to-day and com.
planned of the high rates for the transportation OF
five hogs in comparison with the charges for carry
ing boxed meats.