New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-07
CHARGES OF CUTTING RATES.
A MEETING WITHOUT RESULT.
RAILROAD MANAGERS CoNFERRrNa ON THE srrUA-
ToN-wHAT Is HOPED FOB TO-DAY.

RAILROAD MANAGERS COMFORTING ON THE sITUA-
HoN-wHAT Is HOPED FOB TO-DAY.
Nothing was done at the meeting OF the
Joint Executive Committee OF the trunk lines and their
Western connections yesterday. The day was spent in
ordinations aud determinations respecting ratecutting
There was full representation OF the
roads which are members OF the committee
regards the number Of persons present. The Grand
Trunk Of Canada was represented by Traffic Manager
Sergeant and General Freight Agent Porteous.
But Frank Thomson second yice-president
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad who has attended
all OF the important conferences in the past
not present. He started his vacation last Friday,
the day after the meeting Of the presidents which
suited in the calling of yesterdays eonclave His absence
ls commented % indicating settled policy on the
part of the Pennsylvania to assent to pool es
laton which fails to control rates. The Pennsylvania
was represented by General Freight Agent John s. VII
son. who was active in the discussions.
Presidents Newell and Ledyard were present in behalf
OF the Lake Shore and the Michigan Central respectively
The NewYork Central represented by
yicc-President Hayden, and Traffic Manager R. G.
Villas appeared for the Erie President Ruter, Of the
Central. and yice-Presdent Blanchard, Of the Erie
were at the meeting, but only for short time
Commissioner Fnk's address. chairman, was brief
and confined mainly to recital OF the numerous charges
OF rate-cutng had been preferred and to the
necessity OF devsng means which would prevent the
situation from becoming openly serious. Previous TO
the calling OF the meeting to order a suggestion
made by Of the accused roads that rates be
advanced. The temper Of the meeting was shown
by the reception OF this suggestion, which
was regarded as preposterous. There was thorough
discussion OF the subjsct of rate-cuting, in which the
representatives OF the NcwYork Central and the Penn
sylyanls systems united IN accusations against
the Erie and the Grand Trunk systems. AS
tho rates from the Southwest cut the largest
figure In the discussions, the Grand Trunk not
| sharply aQtagOutZpd "A ApDell8
made to the statements in the possession OF
Business from to the that tA' the ''T prncp
offenders were the roads in the interest OF the
were made against connections of the New.
York Central The Erie representatives denied
that their road was concerned in any cnts
ths led TO an examination OF the records Of business
delivered by the former TO the several trunk
lines in order to prove by crcumstanal evidence tina
1t emphatically urged that the trunk lines were
Responsible for the conduct OF their western
connections and that plea OF rresponsibiy should
excuse u trunk line which pronfed by their action
Charges were made against tn, Pennsylvania, the
excessive business OF the Pan Handle route being urged
as proof The reply OF the Pennsylvania officers was
that the large business OF the Pan Handle had been
drveu from It's connections With fast-reigh lines oper
ang the Erie. The meeting finally adjourned TIL
to-day when an attempt will be made To agree upon
proposed now for maintaining rates and en-
Railroad nen admitted last night that so far the
outcome OF the day discussions was concerned no pros
pec OF satisfactory agreement to-day was visible 10
was hoped however that no open reduction Of rates
would be forced until could DO ascertained whether
tho business OF the roads would be OF vOlumn
sufficient to reduce the temptations to cut schedule
rates IL was urged that the roads which mpaln
ing vioeny-of loss OF business might be loathe
open break In the face OF renewed agree
mens for the maintenance OF tariffs Against this, IL is
feared belief OF OF the roads that rivals
have made contracts at cut rates may prevent post
monument OF IA reduction. The existence OF such
contracts would perpetuate the present unequal
distribution Of through business which is complained Of
after active season begins. To rectlfy such
state affairs In schedule would have
10 be nade To figures that would render the termination
Of existing contracts necessary to the favored
shippers.