New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-22
RAILWAY INTERESTS.
THE ADVISORY COMMISSION.

| VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BALTIMORE
| BOARD or TRADE AND OF THE PRESIDENT OF
| TIE CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER EXCHANGE on
DIFFERENIIAL RATES.
BALTIMORE, March 21.-The Railroad Adj
visOry Commission, Judges Thurman and Cooley pres
ent reassemblcd ct IL clock to-day at the rooms Of the
Board of Trade. Mr.. washburue was again absent the
severe cold which detained him yesterday st combining
him TO his room Mr.. Parr, president OF the Board Of
Trade. presented the argument OF the committee ap-
pointed by that body submit It'd views to the Com
mission
dr. Parr, after few Introductory remarks, said {:
Let us say here in the start make claim boast Of
no inherent right upon any business trade admit
that New-York or any other city has any Tho question
Is purely business without sentiment sympathy preju-
dice or partially. Business, trade Is the market
they who can do it best and cheapest will It,
pay the West by even the smallest fraction
than our competitors for her products will get them.
II we can sell Europe good better any article
cheap or cheaper II will buy from Upon this basis
we go for the trade Upon this have gotten portion
OF #, and II we cannot continue to do
all this as well better and cheaper
than New-Iork we cannot get it and must submit We
can do this Western trade cheaper and WELL II the
laws of trade prevail, and New-York, the West and
Europe have found it out We 1t and have
as good, or better roads that be and worked at
less cost.
What does this advantage Of distance mean Let
illustrate. Two OF wheat leave St Louis slmultane-
ously one for NewYor tho other for Baltimore After
travelling eastward 920 miles the for Baltimore has
reached its destination, aud where ia the other IL is
$40 miles from NewYo-k, and unless some for
vice is incurred upon 1t beyond that OF its Baltimore
rival 1t must lay the tracks OF the NewYork Central
OF in the woods. Here Is the practical dTerential
rate" question
Arguing the proposition that the roads terminating in
Baltimore can be and worked at much less cost than
heir Ynr rio NJ Dnr- bora
to enumerate railroad figures this subject to sustain
these points. Our NewYorK friends give you them, an
they will doubtless be furnished you BY the proper rail
road authorities The simple statement Of the
OF the service gives the answer TO d" dferential'
against "equal rates One of the simplest Of their
statements you will fnd Ia the fact that the difference
between tine cost of the coal used during year by the
Baltimore and Ohio Road at the price 1t pays for it and
that which the NewYOrk Central pays for It, amounts TO
per cent the capital stock OF the Baltimore and
Ohio Road The difference between the cost Of coal with
the price at 90 cents ton paid by the Baltimore and
Ohio wchis the maximum and 81 20 per ton paid by the
Erie, which - probably the minimum the difference in tho
price paid for coal would amount to per cent on the
capital stock Of the Baltimore and Ohio Compared
with the cost OF coal paid by the NcwGOrk Central the
difference is still greater.
The question suppose you arc called upon to advise
is what shall be the difference tits question of railroad
mathematics and you will be enabled from the multi
ude OF figures given Won TO solve tine problem But 1t
appears that grain cents per 100 pounds does
not compensate for difference in dis ance alone Natural
arbitrary dierentia rates adjusted in accord with
facilities, would entitie and the west to instead Of
cents per 100 pounds nearer g. However, Us we under
stand IT, the war Is over and you are asked 70 advise
OF diflcrcntial" not equal" rates and have the
right TO expect that the ambition and greed Of city
and road relying upon adnited wealth and capital will
be cnrbod the policy OF their competitors based upon
the equt and strength OF their positions, will be adj
United. and the interests OF their terminal cities OF the
adjusted derental Is mean that rates for
portaon shall be established based upon distances aud
the cost or service f they do not mean this they mean
nothing and II they do, then the solution of this vexcd
question is rendered easy, and We have no fear of it,
The West VIII not, and cannot be
compelled to pay arbitrary rates TO swell dividends upon
waterel stocks. Equal rates would probably result dis
atrousy 70 Baltimore, force the trade to York,
the West to pay her tribute n1lepS rOieHS, and
enable NcwYork to dictate prices and rates.
Alter discussing the advantages Of in ocean
with Baltimore its facilities handling grain and
general oargoes, Mr. Par concluded
Until the time comes and not before, that 900 miles OF
transportation equals 200 ami the cost OF the ton of
coal at 90 cents equivalent 70 the cost Of one at - 25
how human intelligence can Obylate them.
c. j. Baker, president OF the Chemical and Fertilizer
Exchange submitted the argument OF that association.
He said The main grievance appears to lie much more
in the ucuation OF rates fras this Exchange is able
judge and In the uncertainty Of the prices of CONNER
cial commodities resulting therefro, Lhan Ill the fact
that the rates do not apply NewYork Philade
phia and baltimore On the transitu trade from
the West, II the same rates applied to all ship
peers alike, il special contracts, drawbacks
rebates etc, abolished, If the rates made
public and could not be changed without due and
able notice. then the question Of fereuta rates would
lose much OF Its present significance. Publicity OF rates
stability of rates and abolition OF dissemination In favor OF
individual shippers measures which II carried out
would tend TO promote largely the commercial, and
hence also the transportation interests OF the country
Judge Thurman announced that the session OF the
Commission in Baltimore was terminated.
This afternoon the commission, with the exception Of
Nh Washburne made Trip around the harDor, viewing
the elevators and shipping facilities at Canton and Lo-
cuet Point