New-York tribune., 1879-04-12
RAILWAY RATES AND PLANS.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR THE LINES.
ACTION OF THE PRESIDENTS or THE TRUNK ROADS
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED ELEVATED
RAILWAY COMPROMIsE-THE PRESIDENCY OF
THE WABASH COMPANY.
The heads of the four trunk lines have
announced their determination to enforce
tariff rates on East-bOund business on the
basis of twenty cents n hundred for grain
from Chicago. They have again affirmed their
faith in pools, and have confirmed the Chicago
arrangement for Joint Executive Committee.
No compromise has yet been made by the
elevated railway companies but both sides
express willingness to settle their differences.
Commodore Garrison Is said to have sold out
his Wabash stock. The question of the presi-
dency of that line is still unsettled.
CONFERRING LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT.
IMPLICIT CONFIDENCE IN POOLS ASSERTED BY THE
TRUNK LINE PRfsIDENTs-THE BASIS FOR EAST
BOUND FRErGHT-PLANs FOR THE JOINT EXEC
UTIyE COMMITTEE.
The trunk line presidents did not conclude the
conference begun Thursday evening until a. m.
Yesterday the determination being to avoid sec
ond days session. There was a discussion on the
question Of making lower rates on West-bOund
freight to meet the water rates at the opening of
navigation, and it was decided not to disturb the
present tariff except few classes of freight. Ii
was argued that tho Summer rate of 70 cents to
Chicago was not advanced last Winter, and it was
not advisable to make any general change during
the present year.
There was long discussion on the subject of
maintaining rates on East-bound freight. One Of
the presidents urged the necessity of concerted ac
Al. on xrhi 10
rebates were allowed to other roads, but this was
not deemed advisable in the absence OF East bound
pools. It was decided that in m2king settlement
on East-bOund freight, the commissioner should
allow to each road schedule rates only. ana that
If cutting rebates were permitted the loss should
fall upon the road or roads whose agents were guilty
of the violation. On West-bound freight 1t was de-
teruined divert freight 10 other roads from those
which allowed rebates and to hold the trunk
line agents responsible for strict maintenance OF
tariff rates. The presidents, after much discussion,
agreed, by unanimous vote, that instructions
should be issued at once to the managers ot the
Western roads that the trunk lines will not par
ticipate in any rates lower than the taTlt, after
April : on East-bOund business, except on goods IN
transit the tariff to be on the basis of 20 cents a
hundred on gram aud 70 cents Tor Iourth-casS rom
Chicago to New-York.p The circular to that effect
was sent out yesterday by Commissioner FINK and
Is signed by William Ii. Vanderbilt, president of
the Ncw-York Central and Hudson River Road ;
Hugh J. Jewctt, president of the New-Gork, Lake
Erie and Western Railway j. ". Garrett. presI-
dent of the Baltimore and ONO Road, ana George
B Roberts, first ylce-presdent OF the GehIsyNanli
Railroad.
The presidents next confirmed the organization of
tle Joint Executive Committee, ana the rules IOr
its guidance adopted in Chicago In December were
approved with n few modlncatlOns. lhcse rules
provide for the selection OF Albert FINK az perma-
nent chairman, and \. GullfOrd az permanent
secretary. The general Office of the committee Is 10
be i'm tins city, he committee Is to take c0gnl-
zance of all through competitive freight and pas
sengcr traffic. the maintenance of agreed rates ana
thc abatement of expense on all such traffic by all
initial and connecting lines. When the committee
fails to agree unanimously on any point, the chaI,
man has the power to give decision Whlcn snail
he binding The Western members of the commit
is 10 be mado at an early day OF tho companies
East or West which do not agree TO be D0unu Dy
this proposed action, and OF the persons who shall
represent the asserting roads. -
It was also determined at the conference to affirm
the principle of pools in both directions, upon all
through freight and passenger traffic common to
any two more OF the trunk lines and direct thelr
representatives Oh the Joint Executive Committee
TO call the full JOINT Executive Committee to-
gether at an early date to perfect such pools ana
adopt such rules and regulations for the malnten-
nnce OF rates and their enforcement as the sald
JOINT Executive COMMITTEE may deem just IN
view of the differences then likely to arise in the
Joint Executive Committee, II was urged IA an
essential 10 any permanently successful results, the
distinct adoption Oi tho principle OF arbitration
and IN order t. carry into effect, that permanent
Board of Arbitration be appointed by the Joint Ex-
ecutIve Committee. Any differences, OF whatever
nature, arising IN the joint Executive Committee.
in the formation of such pools, or IN amy matter act
or thing relating thereto, or 10 the maintenance ol
rates nm tha absence oi pools upon which the JOINT
Executive Committee not unanimous, To be
promptly referred to the Board of Arbitration and
the decision of the Board, or If majority Of ITS
members, To bc final and binding upon all parties,
untiI changed b. unanimous gTceucut of the Joint
Executive Committee, g. by the Board 0t ArOltra-
tlOn."