Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-10-01


5sssino through series Of great cities
from Nav York 10 the north and from
Albany 10 Buffalo; il any line has gained
such strength that it can step FORWARD
and then through its president cay Il
will strike the rights OF the railroad
interests and OF the people OF this coun-
try by reducing the rates OF transporta.
ton TO such Improbable figures that
rival lines will be prevented from being
buil, Then it has reached q position
yhen the whole interests OF
the country will be benefited
and all will be gratifed to see parallel
line which will divide that vast busl:.
ness ami bring the New York Genital
road within the ordinary condition ot
railroads that should serve the coun-
try at moderate and reasonable prices,
aud prevent it from exercising such
power as can destroy the railroad rates
of the country, thus affecting properties
which should have regular, reasonable
and properly remunerative rates, alike
for the interests OF the producers, con-
sumers and proprietors OF properties.
When this policy was presented TO
President Garrett ne objected 10 It as
unwise and disastrous and an caicnlated
not only TO lead to temporary but to
great permanent end. 1t would
rouse the whole country to feel that
competition must be encouraged 30 as
TO prevent the abuse by q few CONTROL
ing parties of interests too immense to
be needlessly and injudiciousl leopard
lied. President VanderbilLs colleagues,
representing other trunk lines, perfect.
" understand his embarrassments, anx.
ieties and his difficulties, but certainly
they cannot sympathize or CO operate
with him in his extraordinary and de-
structiye mode relief. Heret )tore the
so-styled wars OF ra,es have always
proved injurious Il the commerce OF
New York. When the Pennsylvania
and Baltimore and Ohio roads have
been required to take very low rates for
transportation OF grain the result has
been with singular information that
the business OF the New lolk
and Erie Canal has been seriously
lessenei, and that the transfer OF enor-
nous shipments OF grain to Baltimore
and Philadelphia have occurred. The
aggregate receipts of New Yor have
been thus seriously damaged and great
gains have been made by Baltimore and
Philadelphia. 1t will be we'll for those
interested to examine in these wars oil
rates" whether New York canals and
the trade OF New York have been bene-
fitted by the policy Of President Van
derbilt ander consideration. The inju.
diciousness OF this breaking down Of
rates to an unremunerative standard ls
shown very distinctly by statistics in
regard to tonnage and revenue from the
through traffic over the four Trunk
lines during the months OF
July and August, compared with the
corresponding month Of last year. The
revenue lost in two months is s. 90 ,595.
This decrease is actually OF net earnings
and at the same rate would be Tor one
year Sl2,549, $40. The Baltimore and
Ohio company has common sense and
Justice and the experience and interests
OF the people whom it represents as the
basis OF its policy. 1t has also the in
terests OF its shareholders to protect.
President Vanderbilt will tind he must
yield, not to the Presidents of the trunk
lines, but to the principles of common
sense and Justice, and thus aid in restor-
ing the reasonable prosperity OF the rail-
ways OF the country connected with
through business, especially OF the
West and cease to think OF asser-
tions about the interests of New York.
Leased on. empty deluslons will coz
troll the interests OF such magnitude and
importance as those embraced by the
trunk lines OF the United States and
their connections. As has been repeat.
ly demonstrated, the B. & o r. X. and
Pennsylvania K. R., can, in connection
with their termini, take care OF their
sections and of their interests, and as
New York itself is deeply allied with
the transportation traffic by these
powerful organizations the unsound po-
sltion taken by the President in saying
What need is there OF conference?
There is nothing to con.
fer about. The war in rates?
| know of no war; sm fighting no.
body" is apparent. He has shown that
the railroad manager OF his great
wealth and power is a danger
Gus factor in damaging needlessly
leading industries and interests OF the
country, and that, too, when he knows
he can agree to and re-establish prop
er rate, or il he cannot agree to that,
with an organization already effected,
can render any difficulties OF rates or
distribution OF business TO srbitrators oi
skill, experience and honor, and thus
arrange at once to join other railroad
managers OF the country in acting on
principles OF fairness, justice and good
sense in connection with all great
interests affected by the establishments
OF judicious and suitable railway tariffs
and thus withdraw from his isolated
position which he must now purely per.
ceive can be fruitful, if no good but only
of harm.
FIRE RECORD.