New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-09
TRUNK LINE PRESIDENTS.
AGREEING TO CARRY OUT CONTRACTS.

A SETTLEMENT ORDERED, BUT MANY QUESTIONS
| oPEN-ADvANCE IN FREIGHT RATES.
The meeting of the committee of trunk line
presidents, called week ago. held at Commissioner
Ffnk's office yesterday. II. J. Jewett, president
Of the New-York, Lake Erie and Western
Railroad presided chairman. j. H. Rutter president
OF the New-York Central present, the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad being represented by vice-Presi-
dent Frank Thomson the Baltimore and
Ohio by Vice-President Samuel Spencer, and
the Grand Trunk Of Canada by General
Manager Joseph Hickson. Before the meeting
Mr. Jewett had to leave the place he not
feeling well and in the subsequent discussions the
managers Of the Chicago connections OF tho
trunk lines were present Among the officers pres ent
were vice-President Blanchard and Traffic Manager
Villas of the Erie Vice-Presdent Hayden of the
New-YOrk Central Traffic Manager Sergeant, Of the
Grand Trunk, President John Newell, OF the Lake
Shore President Ledyard Of the Michigan Central John
Mccullough and william Stewart, representing the Penn
syvana Company, and General Freight Agent Harrott,
Of the Baltimore and Ohio
There was warm discussion OF the railroad situation
by the presidents committee The charges Of cutting Of
freight brought against the Erie considered,
and all the evidence secured by its opponents was laid be-
fore the meeting. Before the production OF the proofs
had led TO feeling which might have IN
terupted the proceedings, the subject was laid aside for
the purpose Of taking up the main question at ISSUE This
was, whether not the trunk line easbound pool ques
tion should be carried out The contract provides for
money settlement between roads on the basis OF tho
percentages awarded by Commissioner Fink, the settle
men to be subsequently revised rendered necessary by
the awards Of the aTbrators 10 which the roads have
appealed Since early last spring the Erie has been
carrying eastbound freight largely I'm OF its
percentage and the Pennsylvania Railroad also s ahead
Of its allotment. The heavy loss which the NewYork
Central has suffered has been Oceasioned 1t IA
claimed, by the cutting Of rates by the Erie and
the Grand Trunk After the repeated failures Of
past meetings the maintenance Of rates the
NewYork Central insisted upon the turning of Eries
surplus in accordance with the contract The Pennsy
yana while ahead ITSELF has supported the Central for
the purpose of gaining its support the dressed eeas
question.
It voted yesterday that the contract be carried
out settlements Of all balances to be made at
Commissioner Fink possesses the authority to make drafts
upon the roads whichare ahead purpose ofmakng
payments to those which behndhand
the percentages. After this action bound pool
matters were discussed but no definite conclusion was
reached. Under this pool Mr.. Fink mas authority 10
divert tonnage from one road to another % %aeh is,
the pool percentages requires it, has never exercised
authority, and the NewYOrk Central is ahead OF
It's allotted percentage. 1t is probable that when
settlement will be complicated by charges OF
raecuttng and suggestions OF change in percentages
before an adjustment OF balances Is made. 1t sug-
gested yesterday that the action OF the Presidents Com
mittee in regard to the easbound pool settlement did rot
include the basis which the differences in ton
mage should be calculated The contract provides for
settlement the basis revenue but before the
action of the committee is carried out Is probable that
tie which exceeded their percentages will de-
mand that they pay over only the net revenue on the ex
There was long consideration OF the question Of what
differences should be allowed between the rates on i've
stock and dressed meats. The Pennsylvania ana
the NewYork Central assert that the pres
ent differences favor the dressedmeat shipper.
After taking much testimony Commissioner Fink recon-
The Erie and the Grand Trunk roads bitterly oppose
this decision, they specially developing
the traffic in dressed meats in opposition 10
the shipments of live stock their cOmpetors No
the present remain. The Grand Trunk refused TO
submit the matter arbitration and proposition 10
make experimental test OF the course OF tEaic under
tink's recommendations was rejected , .
important result OF the meeting was the adoption OF
an agreement by all the roads, including the
Grand Trunk, that II the Delaware, Lack.
awanna, and Western Railroad continued
to cut rates the pool lines should
refuse to make through rates or bills or adng Win IT, ex
change through ears, in amy way maintain through
connections This agreement not TO bcenfOrced unless
the Lackawanna refuses TO maintain pool rates The time
allowed before the agreement shall be put into force how
ever. IL understood to be less than two months. -
The contract for the Chicago eastbOund frcIgnt
pool was signed yesterday. 1t dates fOm July and Is
TO run for five years. IL includes provision however;
that it may be terminated on two nlonths
notice by any road. The settlement OF bal
ances under the old contract mp to July has
thereafter be made revenue The old set
tement been delayed pending agreement on ths
new contract, to which the Chicago and Atlantic ana
the Nickel Plate the new roads-are parties.
The conference voted also to advance eastDound
freight rates November 20 cents per 100 pounds on
the basis Of 80 cents grain from Chicago 10 NeWf
meeting OF the Chicago committee viii be held to-day
20 consider detail matters.