Daily globe., 1883-10-30
TRANSPORTATION NOTES.
The Northern Pacific and Spectot Con-
Especial Telegram to the Globe.]

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
CHICAGO. Oct. 29.---The general mana
gers and general freight agents of the
roads in the California Transcontinental
association will meet in this city Oct. 3, for
the purpose of discussing and acting upon
the complications which nave arisen since
the late meeting in San Francisco, and to
select a commissioner in place CT Mr..
Gault, who declined to accept the posi-
ton. The principal question that will en-
gage the attention of the meeting will
be in regard to the special
contract system on west bound California
freight. The Northern Pacific refusing to
join in an arrangement of this kind, a
GLOBE reporter interviewed a Northern
Pacific official lately on the Northern Pa
cifc relation to the special contract system
of carrying west bound California freight,
and elected the following:
SIN the first place there is point or two
which the public should be familiar
with Mr.. Muir's refusal TO have anything
to do with the renewal of the special con-
tract system does not mean that ne is not
bound to act under the existing system
becaus he is; it simply means he will not
have ard IN the drawing up of special
contracts with shippers over this line. he
will make contracts but they will be verbal
ones and will not put his name to the cast
iron instruments which the Central Pacific
uses"
S.HTL TLcL =, =, S0,. s.,
"That cannot tell,' was the answer,
shut such is the case. Keeping out of
making special contracts, however, does
not relieve Mr.. Muir from abiding by the
terms OF what is known as the general con-
tract. One of the most stringent provis-
ions is that all the lines signing the con-
tract sgreed to take the freight of COM
municants over any Of the
| roads at contract rates, but
under no consideration was any line to
carry the freight of a non- -communicant
except at the ordinary tariff"
"What do you mean by communicate
and non-communicant?"
A communicant is one who is governed
| By the Central Pacific and other lines who
are ruled by the terms of the
special contract and who has
bound himself not to send any of his
freight by water. He is also called an all
rail shipper. non-communicant is
naturally recalcitrant who has not signed
a special contract a.-l who is subsequent
ly punished by being charged full tariff
rates. AS the matter at present stands then
Mr.. Muir won't take special con-
| tracts but has to make
distinction between those who hold them
and those who do not. The difference in
the rates charged is considerable, ranging
all the way from 10 to so per cent. on the
carriage of goods. The conference well
knew that the inducements to break
| through this agreement would be q great
| and heavy fine tor each and every offense. II
what you have shown NE here it is said
Muir is Drawing this penalty by dealing
| with the Portland non-communicants in
the special contract. Now I know that
this is not so for if he were it would mean
not that war was intended but that it was
actually begun for the action would be
the rnierhand rupture Of the
general contract. Since Muir's notlca
pains have been taken to secure distinct
understanding whether this would make
any difference in the shipping arrange
has not yet been received"
''And what do you imagine will be it's
purport?"
81 have not the faintest doubt in the
| world that it will bs that only communi-
cants are to be the special CONTRACT rate
men, and that the terms of the contract
must be preserved. No sir! when the
Northern Pacific does make war it will be
self at the Chicago confer
ence and saying that he withdraws
from the Transcontinental association, and
will run an independent line. Then the
fur will fly. Then there will be cutting
of rates. Then freight will be handled for
next to nothing and the merchant will be
| happy. But don't look for such good
times. It's to jelly prospect to be
truao