New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-16
VIEWS OF MIR. Vanderbilt.
REASONS FOR FAITH IN RAILWAYS-BENT
ON PROTECTING HIS PROPERTY.

ON PROTECTING HIS PROPERTY.
William II. Vanderbilt was called upon at his
residence last evening by TRIBUNE reporter.
who desired to get his views as to tho
relations of the railroads, the settlement of the
war between them, the condition of their business
now and the outlook for traffic in thc future. Mr.
Vanderbilt was found in a genial and communities
tive mood and talked freely on these subjects. Ho
was glancing over the letters received by the after
noon mails when the reporter was admitted to his
library. In reply TO an inquiry about the present
condition of railroad matters, 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 TO have worked smoothly enough.
The railroad companies are acting now IN
spirit of harmony and mutual concession tnat
renders the carrying out OF the present agree
ment perfectly easy. They have made pool
ing arrangement for five years. and suppose all the
minor details necessary to the fulflment of that
agreement have been perfected Yes, yes, there Is
no longer any railroad war; it has ended. 1t was
about tirne that a stop was put to II. for
nearly n year the railroads were engaged In
n bitter conflict, and long ago 1t was evident
that the companies themselves could rot settle
all the questions involved in the struggle. lt
became absolutely indispensable that the busi-
tween theraroads whose officers were drifting daily
further apart That has teen done, and from the
business men, who are fully alive TO the magnitude
Of the railroad questions and 70 the influences which
will flow from the decision of them. we may expect
tbe fullest discussion aud the most correct Judgment
As I said inst now, it was quite time that tho
railroad war was brought TO close. The
war has taught us all good lesson; at any rae l
have learned lessons from II that shall n-Ver
FORGET have no doubt the officers of all the rail-
roads are wiser than they were year ago. Inc
war has cost great deal of money, aud
the only practical advantage that has
been gained is the knowledge how cheapy
the work of transportation can be done. That Is
matter that has been clearly proved by the contest
and think most railroad men have been surprised
at the result. But tell you it was due to stocS-
holders and to everybody that the war should be
stoppel we all recognized the insanity OF prolong-
ing it,"
"Will the peace be lasting'' the reporter asked.
"Oh. undoubtedly it will be maintained for sew.
eral years The agreement is made for five years,
and it is hardly probable that anything will happen
to break it,"
TIE DECISION CONCERNING DIrFERENTIAL RATES.
"The question of diiferential rates has not been
decided. and the Advisory Commission has no
power" the reporter suggested"
..That is ye,v true" Mr.. Vanderbilt replied; "but
I antieipate decision that viii be 50 euinently
inst that the railroads will accept 1t without word
of dissent You see this matter of diiferenta rates
has become national question OF vast Importance.
1t has passed out of tho hands Oh railroad
men partly because of Its very lmpor-
tance, but mainly because railroad men showed
themselves incompetent to handle it. Their views
we're narrow and their opinions were warped by
oHsn n ;,,fa
thev were unaUle to determine the question. sug-
cested some months ago that it should be
left 70 arbitration, and that the business men Of
the country should give it a thorough examination
and discussion. From that suggestion believe,
has sprung the Advisory Commission which Is
now considering the subject Certainly tho
men who constitute that Commission arc men
of ability, of fairness and oil practical wis
dom. No better men probably could have been
selected and the result of their deliberations will
be accepted by the world as the justest conclusion
that could be reached. Ipresume the officers of tho
railroad companies will accept it as the
basis of a settlement Certainly l shall be
willing to do so If it will give my roads
a chanca to live. We have been hghting New
York's battle for long time and 1t has cost us
millions of money. We cannot fight the battle un-
aided and alone. The business men of New-York
utmost 10 protect the commercial supremacy of the
city. The Central Railroad is prominently New
York institution aud deserves the support OF its
business men. But for all that, we have to
consider the interests of other places on
our line. As a matter of business. man
at Rochester Is of just much consequence TO the
road as a man at Syracuse, and one at Albany as
another at Buffalo. We want every place on tho
line of our roads prosper for in its success lies the
prosperity Of the roads themselves"
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS FOR THE ROADS.
"What is the present condition of railroad busi-
ness ?"
81 consider the outlook to be extremely iavor-
able We are doing good business in fact, the
traffic is rather larger In volume than
il has been before. but the low
rates Of freights have prevented our reaping
the full advantage of the increased business. l
understand that the prospects of large crops this
season are exceedingly brilliant and altogether IT is
nv opinion that the railroads viii earn money
this year than last. The Lake Shore road
earned its per cent dividends last year
In spite of all the statements to the contrary. and
have no doubt that the business will be suriciene
for the rest OF the present year to enable IT to con-
tnue per cent dividends The speculation In grain.
as YOU are aware hurt the railroads considerably.
The prices at Chicago and the West were forced to