The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-17
RAILROAD D1FFHaRNT1Ans.
An Interesting Description of How They
Work.

A writer in yesterdays Herald illustrat IS
the whole matter of railroad differeutlais az
follows: During tho war of the trunk lines
last season, the Boston & Albany railroad IN
dulged in little "cutting" on its own account
its principal competitor and opponent IN Inns
case being the Central Vermont line, or tne
Boston connection of the Grand Trunk Rail
way. The distance from Boston to Montreal
via the Central Vermont line, is 334 miles,
The Boston & Albany railroad also has line
to Montreal, via Saratoga and the Delaware q
Hudson Canal Co.'s road and the distance by
this route is 442 miles, or 1903 miles greater
than by the Central Vermont route. The pas.
senger rate from Boston to Montreal by either
route had been SO; and as the distance was SO
much greater by the Boston & Albany, OF
course the Central Vermont route secured
most of the business. But the Boston q Alba
ny, in retaliation for grievances inflicted, sud
denly dropped the rate to 81, a reduction
which instantly changed the face of affairs.
Now there had previously been nothing said
about dfferential rates between Boston ana
Montreal, in favor of the Boston & Albany
road, on account of its les miles OF greater
distance; nor was the reduction alluded to
made upon any such grounds, or any reasons
into which the principle of differeDtials en-
tered as an element. But it may strike the
reader that some such claim might be justified
considering the position of the lines upon this
matter.
But the peace of February came, and rate
cutting and some other practices came to an
end On that date the Boston g. Albany and
other New England lines affected by the Grand
Trunk, and in connection with it, agreed TO
submit to the arbitration of Commissioner
Fink, who was to be referred to in this capacl-
fv raUardinU tho restoration of nv tho
two routes between Boston and Montreal, and
the settlement of differentials from Boston via
Montreal, the differentials called for being 81
and $3.50 respectively, as set forth above. MI.
Fink came to Boston, called representatives
together, and, in process Of time arrived at the
decision that the differentials of 80 should be
allowed to the Grand Trunk, on account of its
166 miles greater distance and the greater
length of time employed in its transit. Tho
lines had agreed to abide by his decision, the
Boston & Albany being included. The decis-
ion appeared to be simply establishing the prin-
ciple that the diffcrential rates, based upon
longer. times ard distances, should be officially
recognized in New England and among her
lines.
Meantime, in anticipation of the result, the
old rate of so bstween Boston and Montreal
had been restored by both routes, and thus the
two points to bs covered by tho conference and
arbitrament were provided for. And DOW"
continued the representative OF a central New
England trunk line west, "Mr. Commissioner
Fink acting as arbitrator, will please settle
the diffsrenrials from intermediate points be-
tween Boston and Montreal-for instance, ST.
Johnsbury, Concord Brattlebsro St. Adams,
Portland and Lewiston, or Halifax, even."
The demand WAS astounding, unheard OF, for
it must be understood that railroads demand
ing diffsrsntials had hitherto scarce even re-
cognized that their darling principle ought to
cut both ways. An analysis of this last de-
mand puts the matter in the following light:
- ..G.1I