New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-13
ADVICE FOR THE RAILROADS:
WHAT THE TRUNK LINE COMMISSION WILL
DO.

1
| By an agreement between officers of the trunk
line railroads, made on January 10, the appoint
ment of Advisory Commission, to which the qucs-
tion of ditiercntial rates si0uld be referred was
authorized. It was agreed that the Board should 10
composed Of three prominent men, in no way identi-
fed with either of the seabOard cities with rail-
road corporations. who should hear the Chambersof
Commerce of diferen. cities other interested
bodies persons, on the subject. The decision Of
the Commission it agreed, is rot TO be binding
OH the railroad companies. The members of tho
Commission are Thomas N. Cooley, of Michigan;
Allen G.. ThuFmano of Ohio and Elihu Il. Washburne.
of Illinois The first meeting Of the Board will DO
held to-day ut IL a. ~
Thomas NJ Cooley, who is Dean Of the Law
School of The University of Michigan,
and Justice CT the Supreme Court of the
State arrived in New-York Saturday evening.
In appearance Judge Cooley is rather below the
medium height and Of slight frame. The lines Of
his face are deeply marked. especially about tho
mouth; his dark hair and his beard, which is worn
full, are thickly streaked with gray. His eyes arc
dark and bright. Altogether lie looks several years
younger than his age, which is 6fty-eight. In
his manner he exceedingly agreeable and
teous. His daughter and her husband, Alexis G.
Angel, are in New-York waiting for the return of
President Angel, of tho University, who has been
in China and is expected here daily.
To TRIBUNE reporter, who sought TO learn his
views on the question of diherential rates. Judge
Cooley said yesterday: II have really nothing 10
say about the work of the Commission, because at
present know very little about what is to he done;
and, if ] knew more, it would be premature for me
to express an opinion now / have neither seen nor
held any communication with the other members Of
the Board, but l expect to meet them
io 10 ,rf bava
reached tie city, bu: have no doubt that they viii
be present at the meeting at the appointed time"
"What will be probably the method of proce-
dure followed by the Commission ~ the reporter
asked.
IL cannot answer the question precisely" was
the reply, land in fact l cannot say that have
formed q very clesr idea mysely. The purpose OF
the meeting tomorrow is to organize the Board
formally and to consult ia regard to tho
methods of inquiry. Whether the Commission
will do much more than that at this session
is perhaps doubtful. Ipresume that meetings will
be held at the seaboard cities TO afford an oppor-
tunity to the Boards Of Trade 70 dscuss the question.
The Commission will be obliged 10 wait upon tho
convenience of these bodies, and whether IL has
been arranged so that il 90 Immediately with
its work have not yet learned. Personally should
prefer al adjournncnt for two or three weeks, 80
"Will not the business men of some OF the largo
Western cities be allowed to give their views on tho
question ~
" Undoubtedly they will" Judge Cooley replied
81 spoke Of the seaboard cities only because their
interest in the matter is altogether greater Nan that
Of the Western cities Prohably representatives, OF
all the important shipping points at the West will
be asked by the Commission to express their
opinions. do not think that the inquiry will be
limited to the seaboard cities"
1.-THE Commission has no authority 10 decide the
dispute over diherential rates 2" the reporter sug
gessd. ,. ,:,
but it is believed by those WHO sag.
gesed the reference that the reconineniatio
road managers, and that its decision will not be
tirely Gisregsrded. When was first informed Of
my appointment as member of the Board l e1-
pressed some doubt about accepting the place be-
canse it might be that the york of the Commission
after all would be useless. was asked not to al
low this douht to prevent my ac' epiancc, because
of The great difficulty in selecting Commission sat
isfacory to all the railroad companies"
=" 1t has heeG rumOred recently that two Of the
Commissioner, accepted only OH thg condition that
the decision should be final"
81 know nothing about that, and il certainly was
not true IN my case. only felt doubt as to tho
advisahility of the plan. hope, however, that the
may prepare the way at least for permanent set
tcment of he railroad difficulties. Something may
grow out of it in the future, even if its decisions
WAS nos tho selection of the Commission
a strange one The other members OF the Board
certainly have not been famous for their love Of
That may be true, but do not think that ar.
Thurman, for instance, Is a foe TO railroads. lake
il that the highest interests of railroads arc not
wholly apart from the best interests OF the people,
and from that point of view the Commissioners
not be said 10 be selected from the enemies Of tho
railroads. But the decision of the Board
may have greater weight from the very fact
that the Commissioners not ardent
friends Of corporations. For my own part.
an uHd Ter obligations TO any railroad OF other
corporation, and yet out in Michigan, where am
pretty well known, do not think you would find =
corporation that would object 10 my sitting jodg
ment over il. have always made IL point 20 re-
fuse all fayors from corporations and when railroad
passes have been sent me ] have always returned
them; paid my fare all the way 10 New-York to
attend tbs meeting
Are tho trunk line presidents persons likely to
be affected by moral suasiGn" the reporter
inquired.
&" Perhaps not" Judge Cooley replied with slight
smile but at the same time they striking at each
other blindly now and they doing good either
to themselves or the country. Their interests may
be helped by this inquiry and certainly they would
be if 1t should result IN some solution OF the railroad
question. As 10 the merits of the matter and Ito
recent discussion of il know very little
Mr. Thurman arrived III the city late last evening.
TRIBUNE reporter WAS unable 10 sec him. Mr
WashburnC had not arrived AT late hour.