Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-17
WIN. I'll. VANDERBILT,
Interviewed in Regard TO Railroad Mat
tiers, States that all Differences
Have Been Adjusted.
And the Great Railroad War is at an
End-An Agreement Entered
Into for Five Years.

NEW YORK, March 16.-Mr. w. H. Van.
derbilt was interviewed last evening by
Tribune reporter in regard TO railroad mat
tiers. In reply to an inquiry about the pres
ent condition of affairs he said:
The railroad war on both passenger and
freight rates is practically settled. The first
step. perhaps, was the hardest TO take, but
after that everything appears 10 have
worked smoothly enough. The railroad
companies are acting now in a spirit Of har-
mony and mutual concession that renders
the carrying out of the present agreement
perfectly easy They have made a pooling
arrangement for five years, and l suppose
that all the minor details necessary to the
fulillment OF that agreement have been per-
fected. Ges, yes; there is no longer
any railroad war. 1t has ended. 1t
was about time that stop was
put to it, For nearly a year the
railroads were engaged in bitter conflict,
and loBg ago it was evident that the COM
panies themselves could not settle all the
questions involved in the struggle. Ii be-
came absolutely Indispensable that the bust
meas men of the country should act as srbi-
traitors between the railroads whose officers
were drifting daily further apart. That has
been done, and from the business men, who
are fully alive to the magnitude OF the rail-
road questions and to the influences which
will flow from the decision of them, We may
expect the fullest discussion and the most
correct Judgment As | said just now, it was
quite time that the railroad war was brought
TO close. The war has taught us all a good
lesson; at any rate | have learned lessons
from il that | shall never forget. | have no
doubt the officers OF all the railroads are
wiser than they were year ago. The war
has cost a great deal OF money, and
the only practical advantage that has
been gained is the knowledge of
L l. al AZ rfafIn or
be done. That is a matter that has been
clearly proved by the contest, and | think
most OF the railroad men have been surprised
at the result. But | tell you it was due TO
the stockholders and to everybody that the
war should be stopped. We all recognize
the insanity OF prolonging it"
"Will the peace be lasting" the reporter
asked.
''Oh, undoubtedly it will be maintained
for several years The agreement is made
fer five years, and it is hardly probable that
anything will happen TO break it"
"The question of differential rates has not
been decided, and the advisory commission
has no power" the reporter suggested.
THAT is very true" Mr.. Vanderbilt re-
piled, "but L anticipate a decision that
will be so eminently just that the
railroads will accept it without a
word of dissent. You see this matter Of
differential rates has become a national ques-
on OF vast Importance. 1t has passed out
of the hands of railroad men, partly because
of its very Importance, but mainly because
railroad men showed themselves incompetent
to handle it Their views were narrow and
their opinions were warped by personal feel
ings and official interests, because they we're
unable TO determine the question. L sug
gested some months ago that 1t should be
left to arbitrators and that the business men
OF the country should give 1t thorough ex-
animation aUd discussion. From that
suggestion, l believe, has sprung the advisory
commission which is now considering the
subject. Certainly the men who constitute
that commission are men OF ability and of
fairness and practical wisdom. No better men
probably could have been selected, and the
result of their deliberations will be accepted
by the world as the busiest conclusion that
could be reached. / presume the officers OF
the railroad companies will accept 1t as the
basis of settlement. Certainly | shall be
willing to do If it will give my roads
chance to live"
Mr. Vanderbilt continued al great length,
stating that the railroad prospects were very
good, and the future looked bright and
promising.
Russell Sage, Jay Gould, and number of
other prominent railroad magnates were
also interviewed, and all expressed substan-
TALLY the same views as those stated by Mr..
Vanderbilt.
DIR. NorvIn Green, president oil the West
ern Union Telegraph Company, was also in
tergiewed regarding the status Of that prop
erty. He stated that the company was doing
we'll, compared it favorably with the great
railroad corporations, and said he knew of
no more valuable corporation property than
that which he represents.