The New York herald., 1879-09-15
ARTERIES OF COMMERCE.
DIR. I. l. HAYES on THE DISEASES AFFECTING
THE RAILRoADs-PEoaPT REMEDIES NEEDED.

State having adj0urhsd to New York after examin-
ing the principal witnesses whom it had determined
to call the opportunity has embraced to obtain
the views or some leading members of the Legislature
who happened to be in Saratoga to the objects Of
the investigation and it's probable results. One Of
the members encountered here is Dr. Isaac l. Hayes,
whose career in the Assembly has been conspicu-
ousy marked by active attention to matters relating
to transportation and the commercial interests Of
New York city. The following conversation took
place between him and our reporter:-
REPohTER-As u member OF the Legislature which
created this investigating COMMITTEES. would like.
DIR. Hayes to ask what is your understanding OF its
duties and whether, III your opinion any good is
likely to grow out of its work?
DIR. HAYEs-Whether any good grows out Of it will
depend upon the wisdom OF the Legislature and the
good sense of the railroad managers
EARLY FRUITS OF INVESTIGATION
''You Think then. the cooperation the railroad
managers necessary?
..There is a serious misunderstanding between
them and the people whose Legislature has made
this committee. The people being in majority 40
we'll as i'll earnest, crowding some Of the roads
pretty close. as. for instance, the Central which
finds itself obliged keep clever lawyer at Albany
every winter to prevent what they call adverse legs
lation Something. you know, must needs be wrong
when one is always tho defensive. But aside
from all this tho investigation has done more good
already than you may think"
.'Let ask III what respectw
1T has furnished OCCASION if 1t has done MOTH
ing else for the press call attention to tho great
commercial interests of New YoIk and upon what
they are dependent. The condition OF harbor,
the excessive harbor dues the lack of suitable and
sufficient terminal facilities. the nsuficiency Of our
wharf accommodations aud docking conveniences.
our troublesome and expensive methods Of hand
ling freightall have been subjects Of intelligeut
criticism"
HARBoR AND DOCK FACILITIES.
"You have probably, then, some articles in
the HERALD touching the damage being done to tho
harbor by the dumping OF garbage, ashes, &c.y'
''They admirable and timely and have excited
much attention. The matter involved in your ques.
ton hardly comes within the scope Of what you
desire of me concerning the committee; but it 10
still part. and primary part. Of the general sub.
ject."
RAILROAD ABUSES.
'sIn the matter OF railroad abuses there is much
popular discomfort. How do you account for this?"
'.There are several causes, but should say it was
largely due to the persistent ny-headedness Of
some of the railway managers. do not mean all
mean some: but these in the majority. The
manager OF one road VIII not trust another manager
out of sight. u rule. They cut up and down
with the nervous fear OF man with the jim
jams and all this in disregard oftentimes Of
every body anu OF every principle OF action which
governs the ordinary business affairs lite.
BY own showing the Central road exhibits almost
everything but conscience in its management. mean
business IL you please, that manifest
spirit OF firmness which inspires confidence. Elso
why should there be 5000 preferential rates on
their books and nobody explain any principle by
which they gave themf Why should there be such
wide difference in the rates paid by different in.
dividuals? Why should the President OF the Board
of II ade in Buffalo, shipping his own name, pay
. higher rate than David DOws, whose agent he IL,
but who, on his own account ships perhIps mill.
ion bushels only when. agent he snips ten
millions?
pIscoNrESr OF THE FARMERS.
An6 " Ia furm a n M
up in arms ana filled with indignation aud com.
paints? The railroad has almost completely
revolutlonzed the farmers legitimate busi.
ness He is forced into channels new aud
unsatisfactory TO him. He is discontented. and.
when he asks for justice. He Is told that
he cannot raise grain he make cheese and but
tcr-sen milk and cultivate hay, and for the lite OF
him he cannot understand why 1t he wants to raise
grain the common carriers OF the State shall not
the farmers OF the Mississippi Valley. The railroad
has made highway of the State, and great trains OF
laden with the products of the prairie. rumble
fly past tho eld OF tho hitherto conented
and prosperous farmer of the lovely Mohawk and the
smiling Gcnesee. Naturally enough the farmer Is
indignant ut this contemptuous Indifference to hia
interests
LACK OF CONSCIENCE.
"Then you would regard this whole matter of dis.
content of MISUNDERSTANDING"
have said before. Of Conscience. AS ruie psiro.d
management is systematically Indifferent to what
people think.
A GREAT MISTAKE.
cit was, think great mistake for the State to
give her portation routes into the control Of
corporation any body; but the deed has been
done, and the only question for the State to de-
termine Is how the transportation routes. opened
under the franchises which she has SO freely given
away, shall be controlled with Leneft to the state
and justice to individuals.
ERIEs REsuscrrArroS
"You have particularized the Central let me ask
what were your impressions OF Erie after hearing
..Froni what 1 heard of the evidence, and at
tended the sessions pretty closely. should that
the two roads are h trdly to be classed together.
would scarcely To have been road at all in
proper sense. 1t was formerly little more than .
football OH the Stock Exchange. and must confess
my surprise at its showing before the cominittee.
to be t. oroughy familiar with their business.
and to work harmony and with complete n-
derstandng one with the other 1t is, therefore, in
almost road. Mr. Jewctt, with
disposition evidently frank during his hrst days
upon the witness stand. brought forth history or
great interest which mainly new to the general
public. From that history you could read c.s Won
,'erful OF that unfortunate railroad; how 1t
early fell into the hands OF the Philistines and
robbed of its substance and good NAME.
80 far as the investigation has gone how do you
mad the complaints against Erie ia the matter OK dis
crimnation as compared with the Central?'
$50 far as have heard there appears to be sub.
state this with qualification, since Mr.. blanchard.
who has, rs infer. charge freight tracts, has
not yet been questioned"
.What would y ou think of State interference?"
within certain limits. well; but without the ut.
most care its might prove injurious Something must
however be DONE and iutelhgcntly DONE and that
soon The object of the Assembly in creating this
nttee tO OBTAIN reliable detailed lntor-
nation upon which to base wise aud advantageous
legislation; its legitimate purpose being to bring
clearly To light such abuses may be practiscd,
IL they not fostered under ex-
isang laws, tor the purpose of amending such
laws in the interests of the State. One very
important item OF Information has been obtained
here in the statements made to the committee both
by Mr. Jewett and his auditor. Mr.. Little, both of
whom testified that the annual report to tho
state Engineer was very imperfect and insufficient.
AMI pointed out how il nigh be amended 30 as to
give the exact condition of every road in the state.
Tho form OF the present annual report adopted
when ralrOading was i'll It's infancy, and how good
soever it may once have been IL il now antiquated
and almost useless"
METHOD THE COMMITTEES.
'Do you think the committee have pursued their
investigation in accordance with the intentions OF
the Assembly,"
II have wish to critcise the actions of the
L.. Ii.at