New-York tribune., 1885-01-18
THE OPEN WAR OF RATES.
IMMIGRANT FARES DOWN TO A DOLLAR.
THE POLICY OF THE Observation-Disclosures sHohnS
POSITION.
Tho ono tonic of discussion in railroad circles

The one topic of discussion IN railroad circles
Yesterday was the decision Of the trunk line presuehts
on Friday TO free themselves OF all obligations 10 NAM
tain bound freight rates. while the pool orgazaloh
was formally preserved. 1t was universally admt'eu
that this meant an open of rates that would extend
further than the cutting which has leo 10
tho runture but IL doubted whether
the decline I'm rates would be immediate. Many shippers
were disappointed that rates had not " gone 10
smash" as one OF them expressed H. nut the riroaoS
naturally were not disposed to make any more reductions
;bap were necessary The Pennsylvania Railroad an
nouneed promptly q reduction of immigrant passenger
fares to the West TO the basis OF 81 TO chicago
It's action was interpreted indication that the com
pany was prepared TO press the hght lhto "ihoh
it has embarked. The reduction In Immigrant
fares applied only passengers landing from the steam
er and not TO those fell within the jurisdiction OF
the Castle Garden pool. The effect will be to give tho
Pennsylvania Road the bulk OF tho Immigrant business
engaged OH the other side of the ocean by steamship
agents. unless the other trunk lines meet the cut
The Allen line company which runs its steamers
between Liverpool and Qnebsc has Tor sone
time been selling through tickets 10 om-
cago by way Of the Grand Trunk Railroad 10
immigrants who on its steamers mt rate whlch
makes the fare from Liverpool to Chicago - less than
by the New-York steamship lines. For the last rev
weeks the lines having agents at Castle Garueh nave
been acting independently of each other regard TO the
actual rates charged to immigrants
he
were not willing yesterday to admit that they would
poot the Peppsylvanias cut, but railroad men
conceded that It would be necessary in order to
preserve tho business. There was no
change in frst-class passenger rates to the west
from the low rates which have been ruling OF late
Well informed brokers concedo that the elect OF IN
creased cutting in freight rates would be 10 Sliuae
the war passenger rates
ncrson familiar with the policy OF the Pennsylvania
Comnapv said "Do not think that they are
going TO run around Offering all sorts OF rates 10
shppers They will watch and wait depend
upon their enormous local business for financial sus
teuance and only do a through business that pays
expenses Enough east bound tralo VIII be taken at
rates a little below competitors to bring their volume oil
traffic down TO an Improbable basis IN order to sckcn
Them of the war ns soon possible. The Pennsyvana
40 that thcy will raze their folly In trying to cut rates
while the Pennsylvania was kept IN the traces.
donment OF the eastbound irac upon inc Lackawnnna
and the West Shore roads y TRIBUNE reporter saw
samuel sloan president of the ackawhnna IN reference
to the letter from him which the Grand Trunks repre-
which the other pool roads refused con-icr proPo
siiion MIR Sloan said do not wish 10 reply 70 the
criticisms ON the Lackawauna. II can take care OF Itself
We have only what the others do, ana II they do
right There VIII be no trouble: have 81 had "a no conini
to the Grand Trunk people that do not remember what
me letter from the West Shore Company. which
submitted along with that Of the LAckawanna was to
the following effect. in substance: .
the West Shore had been informed that statements had
.en made to the trunk lines that the receivers Of the
comn,uy were unwilling to cooperate with them In the
matter OF maintaining rates c,tbound traffic. There
WAS NOT the Slightest grounds for such statements. ON
tho contrary the receivers had been wiling 10 join III any
reasonable arrangement i"I u'o hh'n-
or rates anu 10 h.',PL
TO which the company from 1t. facilities emitted.
I'm January last the representatives OF the truns ie+
decided that II was advisable thai the West shore should
e member of the We-t-bound freight pool and offered
IL % per cent Of the trac. Althnush ths percentage
was not satisfactory IL accepted and In good faith
rates had been maintained. should the lines In the East
eound pool adopt the same course ana oitf iho west
shore a reasonable percentage. they coud be assured
that IL wOuld promptly be accepted WIN all 1ES f~pon'
sihltics attached thereto.
The oniy change made passenger rate, I'm any direo
tiou was n reduction In tho fares To NtN-Drleans 10
$50 so against Si5 tho rate prevailing on Friday ltlr
expected that there viii be Increased Hcag carried on
bp the ticket brokers all special rates noS that tho
gauntets Of war have Doeh thTO"h pJ c uino"h'
pool lines. -. a.. -,
There are many railroad men who believe that by u
sha nd "A EatOu OF the pool can
he bfou gbt about ON basis which may secure some sta
bity The feeling tho trunk lines ex
trcucly against the luckuwanna ana thn west
Shore which charged with the responsibility f"F thc
abandonment Of tarin rates sad trunk inc oI.u'I
" Ne have tried in vain get from Mr.. sloan frank
propositions FOR settlement west
shore as even refused accept an offer OF ten per
cent I'm tho through passenger pool Win
"A provision that II should be huDhiNtou ~"
arbitration IL it was dissatisfied with these terms The
Grand Trunk has repeatedly been asked 10 complete me
Chicago castbound pool aud to abandon the 'ht OF
commits sinus passenger business ana lts replies nave
frcnueutly been favorable Ia every instance however
II has prom .cd much failed To do anything. ana pursued
a the time its policy Of cutting rates when ts compet
tor. In good faith maintained ia sm We are trcd OF ths
M last and now every road stands on is own bottom
aud will be Judged In future arrangements according To
its demonstrated ability"