New-York tribune., 1882-03-05
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION

THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE TO HAVE THE FIRST HEAR
ING-oTHER COMMERCIAL BODIES TO b. HEARD
WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS SAY
The Advisory Commission of the trunk line rail-
roads will begin the taking Of testimony and the
hearing of arguments the subject of ditierenlal
rates between the West and the Atlantic seaboard
In this city tomorrow. On the acceptance of its
decisions by the trunk lines largely depends the
fac of the east-bound pooling agreement which
was entered into last week by the Eastern and
Western railroads comprising the Joint Executive
Committee. The January compact be-
tween the trunk lines provides that
its provisions. 50 far as they relate to
cas-bound business and rates, shall be void unless
the award of the Advisory Commission as to diner
enta rates is approved by all the trunk lines OF
come other agreement III the matter is immediately
reached by the roads themselves. Railroad men,
however, say that the prospects are not favorable
for any other settlement # the question II the
action of the Advisory Commission, after extended
examination of al the points in dispute, is not ac-
ceptable to the railroad companies.
All of the members of the Advisory Commission,
including Judge Thomas VI. Cooley of Michigan
Allen G.. Thurman, Of Ohio, and Elihu Is.
Washbumc, of Illinois, are in the CITY,
Judge Cooley is at the Grand Hotei'
Mr.. Thurman is at the Metropolitan and Mr.. Wash
of the Commission will be held at 1890 a. IN. to-
morrow at the rooms of the Board OF Managers OF
the Produce Exchange, at No. 80 Peari-st. This
hearing will be devoted 70 the Produce Exchange,
whilh will be represented by the following com
mitteo of thirteen: A. +. Orr, Franklin Edison, +.
r.. Livcrmo.e Leonard Hazletine, c. r. HickoX,
Franklin Woodruff, David bingham, s. :. Clark,
James McGhcc John Sinclair, J. d. Dale, Anderson
Fowler aud Asa stevens Representatives from the
New-York Board of Trade and Transportation will
be heard by the Commission mt the
same place on Tuesday at l p. IN.
That body win be represented by its standing Ex-
ecutiye Committee ard Railroad Committee. No
day has yet been fixed for the hearing of the Cham
ber of Commerce 1t will probably be Wednesday
or Thursday. The committee will meet at the
rooms of the Chamber tomorrow at p. m, TO de-
eide the matter The Commissioners have in all
cases held themselves subject to the convenience of
the commercial bodies which have expressed de-
sire to be heard by them. The Chamber of Com
merce committee consists of the following men,
bers: George w. Lane chairman, Scion Humphreys,
William II. Forg, Eugene Kelly, Charles 5. Smith,
Jackson $ Schultz. +. b. Thurbcr, B. g. Arnold, c.
c. Dodge. b. B. sherman and Jacob Wendell.
The Advisory Commission will devote the entire
week to the hearing of the merchants OF TINS cly
going TO Philadelphia next week and TO Baltimore
on March 20. The Philadelphia organizations which
will be represented before the COMMISSION are the
Board Of Trade the Commercial EXchang" and the
Maritime Exchange TIE Baltimore organizations
are the Merchants and Manufacturers Association,
the Board of Trade aud the Corn and Flour EX-
change The commercial bodies of only two West
ern cities have sgnied desire TO he heard before
the Commission. These are the Toledo board OF
Trade and the ST. Louis Cotton ENch1nge Inc IN
danapos Board Of Trade has appointed commit
tee to consider whether or not II IS GerSab' mat
fl should be represented in the public consideration
of the subject The Commissioners have sent III
yitations 10 commercial bodies In about dozen
Western cities and latcrlt j. expected that more
general action Will be taken by Western merchants
In the matter.
Al the Albcmarle Hotel yesterday. TRIBUNE re-
porter saw the Hon. +. B. Washbnrnc. Nj. Wash
burne has Porly IguIG Is oil anon aHe,aT1 nelsit
and compactiy built. Ills Ionnd, ruhlcund lace IS
smoothly shavcn, his hair is worn III whtc straight
locks aud gray. beetIing eyebrows overhang bis
pale blue ewes. The expression Of hls face Is rather
crave and rugged. Mr.. Washburuc said
"Therc is little for me TO say about the Advisory
Commission, as all It's work Is yet 10 be done we
have had several consultations and have completed
fine preliminary details connected with the
ARRANGEMENT of the hearings. / he taking of testl-
Jav ana the whole Of next week will be devoted 10
t%c commcrcial bodies of this city. The following
week we Shall 90 to Philadelphia, and on March ~
begin the hearing Of Baltimore merchants. 40
not know what applications have been maCe Tor
hearing in behalf OF other cities. Al the meetings
probaLly will be public. ! see no objection OpuD-
Ecity. although the testimony will be dry and un-
interesting to The general pubhc. great deal oI IL
will le simply expert work." ,,.,.
aud information to the Commissioner relatngt to
the subject z said tine reporter.
Yes we have received great many statistics.
Most of Them" Mr. Nashburho added, Joco@cly,
need an interpreter
viii the railroads submit testimony and argu-
ment 10 the Commission q was asked; :,
- No railroad has yet made application to be
heard" Mr. Washbume replied. Il suppose the
Commission Is desired mainly for the purpose OF
ailording opportunity for the commercial bodies OF
the different cities 70 be heard on the question OF
dilcrcutal rates. The railroads. OF course VIII nc
heard If they desire 10 be- Inc, Commission wiz
glve the fullest hearing to anybody Interested IN the
Sir. thurman was found in his parlor at the Metro;
politan engaged in reading one Oi me railroad
docuuents ISSUED from Commissioner fIuks ot1ce.
"YOu have little time at present iOr Ight read
ing" suggested the reporter.
is Of the heaviest kind" Nj. Thurman replied.
"Ihe Commission held private conferences several
DAYS AGO and to-day We met and arIanl ed tie hnal
Ge Io wor except Of that kind hardly know,
Jnvself what is the character of the information
furnished by Mr.. Fink; have yet to examine most
:" Have any of the Commissioners formed any
opinion yet ON the question oi dlierentlal latGsf
Not at all. The Commissioners are perfectly lg-
norant of the subject that Is, as Ignorant as Is ne
srable The matter is OF great interest to business
men, and every one interested WlI DC gwen lar i
opportunity TO be heard. OTal argument VIII oG
aiInved 10 a reasonable extent, but | underst lI
that most of the argument and evidence VIII
printed" ,.,..iio,,ts No ina bott
mood 10 accept the decision OF the Commission IN
they would have been six months agO" asked the
reporter al, ~ r
1" have not been in communication with any ol
them The railroads have not yet sought 10 De rep
resented before the Commission.
The secretary of the Advisory Commission,
Thomas c. Moore, of Indianapolis, yesterday sald
that he supposed a fuller response would be mace TO
fhr Invitation of the Commission for the presenta-
ton of facts bearing on the subject by tao ineII
chants OF Western cities after the Commission Idu
fairly gotten under way IN its work.
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