New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-11
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IAkIF[ [RhTEs-CoMMIssIoNER FINK's RF.AIrlDIEs
Inc meeting of the Joint Executive Committee of
tie trunk lines and their Western connections vps.
"iu''y' was made remarkable by the general alb
Sce oI representatives of the Vanderbilt railroads
| Except the Michigan Central for which is GEN.
1iai manager, il. B. Ledyard appeared no
faiuerpllt railroad was present eyen by proxy The
! aoSel-Se OF some other roads was significant foo
Inc boston and Albany, the Troy and Boston. and
'''e hostoh booSac Tunnel and Western Railroads
were LOT represented. In the official ust
FURNISHED at Commissioner Fink's Office pbere
the meeting was held, the Grand Trnpk and
Vhe Cmcago and Grand Trunk Railroads apnearo,
as present, but Z. p. Beach general \ arent of tb,
Urand trunk, afterward declared positively that
oiese roads sent no delegates. OF fhe thirtv-ona
ioaos that dId take part in the meeting many were
,noio "hy by proxy. OF the three trunk
li'ie ioaas that wero there the Erie was
Iepresehted by George r. Blanchard first vice
president, and k. G. Vias general freirh, agent
'iie na'rmore and Chic by Robert Garrett ir. first
Vce-presitent, and H. II. Smith. general freight
agent ana the Pennsylvania by ]. McC. Creighton.
general freight agent.
WHAT Mr.. FINK SAID
Commissioner Fink stated the object of tbe meet
ing TO DE TO consider the causes which had led 70
the disruption in the maintenance of tariff rates ara
to devise means for their maintenance in the ftur
lie said the present tariff went into effect
juno 10, on lasis of 20 cents nap
hundred, eighth class from Chicago TO New
York. or about .04 cents per ton per NILE
which is less than the average cost oon any OF Che
roads, even The one thst is operat me chearest
engaged IN this traffic" June 80 circular was
IsSGu 70 ascertain whether 20 cent rare could be
miihlalned. Every member of tie committee c2ve
e. pres ION I'd i3Vor II maintaining The rate upon
the cGndltlon that the maintenance slould bc nj
versal. '-"
~ No snch guarantee could bo given by this oaios.
ihe cause pi the railr ads working FOR ios tbaa
z
the general want # cOnfde.~e of their maravcrs m
Sich other zach one gencrs liy believes that De
has moi been fairly dealt vs. by Tia
others. This want of confidence is of
course justified by past experience. Il
would be unjust to assume that /; --ss
owing 10 want OF honesty IN tho managers that
The agreements had been violated. Tho cause is ia
b. found, in fact, in the artive compattion and op
Iictmg Interests. The abroad cOmpa, les endeavor
T. 90 what is impossible viz u carr On an sc-iTs
tam cstablsLed tariff rates The iate events
TInGo, wmco NAV, nave LED to the present dis
Zee honesty on the part Of al il is mIr1ccable 70
MAINTAIN the established tariff under The presc1t
reason Is tound ia the PIeseDt cooperative l,Ds
organizations which were establ,hed With
company TIE larg Il amount Of tonnage the as -
ing net revenue being left out OF consideration.
uelghi hp"s soiletlng agents are subject 10 orders
OF any senelal freight agents forming hnas
at points where business originates. AN oae
81 81 t1ese neral ,f1ight agents 4 he believes
tha' competitor has reduced the tariff rates csa
We Tie lAe ,EcutS follow hogt
.s WI otiet .IeiiinSIs oi the ne. Thus II s n
tie power OF any Of the in tal ROADS 10 make Eases
/ over numerous lines ;hat are working oye-
agent desires. In case of a reduction an
anr account, the connecting roads, which MAJ have
~ hGo0lpatdIS ',,FN-r interest IN the 5tslnoSS
than the INITIAL road, consulted having irc-
! tlcauy Surrendered the power OF control OF
tlen property 70 50 me one else. The ughe
claimed Dy Jhe truLk lines TO make on
/ tracts over Western roads adds ful-hsr 10 tge
complications Tho iirst steps 10 DE taken toward
rcmedylHg these difficulties 10 concentrate the
iaie-nahng power IN the hands of fewer persons
ara 10 Aolq lheu responsible 10 the conmitte, foT
any VOCATION OF the asgr,CruCltS.'
5lr. Pink re.O'rei 20 thC rule adopted % hold tho
general managers responsible aud said no arf,nt,oS
had been paid 10 il IA MANY cases In, ,.ss. n, lss
The rule Was enforced he said, parties i've -
thcr BUS ness vili, V9lfinLs for r1,jls ., ii,,,s
GoLe TO them by Their CCupentors' lie th,n re-
SAID that results snu>eo,lent ia I,ar fsta
proved ,na' with ihc best intentions on She part OF
the managers of the PRINCIPAL -oads 10 control mary
agents VINO We're able 10 make special contracts TIC
general feeling ol OlStru>t had stood an the WAY of a
restoration OF paying rates.
VAGAE1Es OF NEsTEI.N PoADs
Mr. Fink mcutioned >daos where agents f g.s-l
Western roads despite iHstruc lions from trunk lines
70 maintain rates had made private contracts In ;,
hope that in some fut,re dag the TRUNK lines wouId
participate in tho reductions. Ho said tAs
theory would have to be abandoned that she trunk
hines and standing committee could be absolutely
relied on 10 IntCrce tie agreements made by ths
Joint E&ccU-i'c C,m'ai.tcs. The metl,' most re-
Ia 10 maintain asIc neuts is the apparioDmant
OF all trade O.. competing lines anl a. adoption
hcvod - he the "r'y ~ ~ nm which agreements can
weak attempts have been mal, hy tn com
panies represented on the Committee 10
adopt ami carry ont 'his llan. Only oae-t .youteth
("Ii ol ta' competitive t.s.a has ben apHortionlC.
i,aNiag b. ',ccu-fN clllclAS open for .ol.,cti.vo
stilc Ia th, peri, oi this systc., cs he Only
hope Tor The restoration ot confidence and tle
n'. n,cnance ol 'tr.i>. NJ hat Is needed Is division