New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-11
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
CALLING THE PRESIDENTS TOGETHER.

Mr.. FINK WARNS THEM THAT THEIR AGREEMENT
| TO MAINTAIN RATES Is NOT BEING KEPT
1t was rumOred yesterday that Commissioner
Fisk had ordered reduction In tariff freight rates on
account OF the cutting at the West. The reports
officially denied There a strong probability, however,
that such reduction may 10 ordered soon,
as 1t has been so far impossible to maintain tho
schedule rates. A meeting OF the trunk line and
principal Western railroad presidents Is being arranged
for next Thursday. 10 first proposed to hold the
meeting tomorrow, but the attendance OF all the pres
dents could not be secured Is not yet known whether
they be got together Thursday. Mr. Fink has In
formed the presidents who at their meeting on February
made themselves personally responsible for the future
maintenance Of rates. that violations Of the agreement
were continued and has appealed them TO that Is
carried out II reduction Of formal be avoided.
The situation IL acknowledged TO be grave, although 10
is claimed that 1t is bad as 1t month ago Tho
most serious complaints OF cutting lodged against the
st. Louis and Peoria roads Robert Garrett yce-presi
dent of the Baltimore ohio Railroad. the city
last week. and informed Mr. Fink that II the irregula
ties not stopped the Baltimore and Ohio road would
be obliged TO protect the business OF Baltimore" In
fact when the recent cuts OF the Ohio aud Mississippi
road were discussed Mr. Garrett Is understood TO have
said that be did not blame that road for It's action "a
Ohio Mississippi controlled by Baltimore
and Ohio, its is regarded by railroad men
an earnest already given that the trade OF Bal
tmore will he protected" The Pennsylvania road f.
restless its deficiency in recent Chicago shipments
which have principally gone TO the Vanderbilt system
the Grand Trunk. The responsibility for the demon
aZaOn IN eastDOnnd out Of ST. Louis ~ laid 10 tho
Indianapolis and ST. Louis the southwestern connection
of the Vanderbilt system. Not only have ST. Louis rates
been cut but contracts at cut rates have been entered
into by the roads. There indications that the Ere
road has become tired of seeing the Lake shore and ch
gan Central taking the lions share OF the CHICAGO
eastbOund traffic It's Chicago connecton-the Chicago
and Atlantic RairOadhas lately received increase IN
flour shipments The Chicago and Northwestern and the
Milwaukee and ST. Paul railroads made numerous flour
Lake Shore road IN December last and
latter recently refused 10 share the cut with them,
IA suspected they transferring the business 10
the Chicago and Atlantic. Cutting Of wesbound rates
England still kept up In spite OF the agree
ment a short time ago to pool the Boston business.
Railroad men are a loss to suggest means by which
the presdents resolutions February can be carried
The volume OF business Is small that the tenpts
irresistible Not for some years excepting
1892 when the roads carrying out contracts made
open 1881 have rates been so low just be-
fore the opening of navigation the actual rates arc
now. No railroad preteDds that any considerable
amount Of grain has been carried at 30 cents the schedule
last,