The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-15
RAILROAD MATTERS.
ImpOrtnnt Trunk Line Action.

EnDorfnnt Trunk Line Action.
The Boston Journals special from New
York says that the result of the conference OF
the Presidents Of the trunk iHes and their
principal Western connecti, rs Thursday was
the ordering of reduction of ten cents per
100 pounds in east-bound freight rates. So
great a wering of the wiuter grain schedule
at this season has not been ordered for some
years. It is customary just before navigation
of the lakes opens for the railroads to reduce
their winter rates by five cents per hundred
pounds, but the present reduction is several
weeks earlier than the usual time. The new
rates are ION the basis OF from Chicago TO New
York) 20 cents on grain and -four, 25 cents on
provisions and 80 Gel Is ON bulk meats. The
reduction goes into effect att once. Railroad
men admit that the reduction is a confession
OF the inability of the managers TO control the
situation. There are complications still ex-
istiug which may compel even further reduc-
tion when navigation opens. II is understood
that only the strongest efforts of the more con-
servative Presidents prevented the abandon
ment of full schedule rate and the precipita-
tion of an open war. The dissatisfaction Of
the Pennsylvania and the Erie Railway sys-
TENS with the situation since the Presidents
meeting, February 7th had led the operating
staff of these roads tc advocate a free competi-
tion, in which the carrying capacity of each
road wsuld be determined regardless OF con-
sequences Some OF the Pennsylvania mana
gers openly argued that If DO stop could be put
to the recent series of useless conferences,
violations of compacts and underhanded cut
ting Of rates it would be better to cut loose
from the established rates, and, II necessary,
carry freights at a nominal charge. All OF the
trunk lines, the Chicago and the st. Louis
road, were represented by their accredited
officers, except the Lake Shore road. In the
discussion of the situation the Grand Trunk
was considered the most serious offender on
Chicago east-bound business 1t was charged
with billing freight to Detroit and then rebill-
ing it to Portland at cut rates without change
OF through cars. The defence OF the Grand
Trunk was based on an agreement made in
1876, which permitted it to make difference
under the regular rates on competitive Cana
dian business in the winter months, in order
to accommodate tonnage at Portland for ex-
port in case its line might be blockaded later
by the SHOWS. 1t was claimed, however, By
the Michigan Central, the principal COM
plainant, tnat the Grand Trunk had taken
business out of Chicago for this purpose when
the agreement forbids it to go west of Detroit
The Grand Trunk made a general denial OF
the charges, but President Ledysrd of the
Michigan Central offered to produce proofs.
They were not insisted upon. Another eature
OF the Chicago trouble was the contract on
-four made by the Red Line fast freight line
for shipment from the Northwest over the
Lake Shore President Rutter declared that
the contracts would not be carried out by the
New York Central ON the Lake Shore, and
hat tall huc ho "a ;v&
the pool at gross rates. When the st. Louis
situation came up for discussion the resp0nsi-
bility for the Generalization of rates was laid
against the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati
and Indianapolis road. In spite Of the denials
OF President Devereux, Robert Garrett de-
clares that the Cleveland road had carried
grain at 10 cents per hundred pounds
against schedule rate Of 35 cents. AS the
Baltimore q ONO was allowed ditferential Of
three cents per 100 pounds nnder the rates to
New York, he (Mr GARRETT authorized the
Ohio q Mississippi railroad TO make contracts
at 16 cents. He knew that the BaltimOre's
ditferential rate, according to agreement, ap-
piled only to the tariff rale, but be took the
responsibility of deducting it from the actual
rate, and he thought he perfectly justified
in doing so TO protect the business interests OF
Baltimore. 1t evident from the facts and
admissions that he thought that it was i'm
possible to maintain grain rates above basis
of 20 cents out of Chicago. The only qHes-
tion was whether an attempt should be- made
to avert an open war and endeaYor to secure
some stability on the basis of low rates, and
thus was finally decided upon. The meeting
adjourned without day, with railroad men
only hoping for an improvement. II was not
known 10 what extent the St. Louis contract,
made by the Ohio & Mississippi at l6 cents
(uearly cents under the reduced tariff would
prevent the maintenance of rates, as Mr..
Garrett was called away before the meeting
Was over. The Grand Trunk declared tnat it
had no contracts beyond days time, aOd the
Lake Shore expressed Its willingness To bear
the possible pecuniarv resDors lity involved
In terminating its -four contracts. II Mr..
Garretts contracts eau Oe got rid of it is hoped
that an improvement can bs secured.
Chicago and Grand Trunk.
At the recent Chicago aud Grand Trunk
annual meeting the report of the directors
showed that improvements during the year
amounted to 81, ,308 .OO0. An increase of
equipment is intended aud steps will be taken
10 obtain the needed additional capital. An
increase is shown in the passenger and freight
business During 1888, $4,000 passengers
were carried; passenger earnings, 1884, 600;
tons of freight carried, 1,131 600; freight earn
ings, $1,9S9 600; total earnings, S2,977 600;
operating expenses, 81, ,260,0 900, or rs per cent,
against 81 per cent for the year previous. The
net revenue was absorbed IN payment of in
terest on bonds aud rentals to other companies.
Minor Notes.
The receipts of the Canadian Pacific for the
first week in March were S54, 900 against
$4,000 for the same period in 1888.
Seventy-fve more workmen have been dis
charged from the Grand Trunk workshops at
Montreal, also many clerks in the drawing
department. AT the present rate Of falling of
in the company's receipts, from the loss of
traffic, the decrease will aggregate S2000000
during the year.