The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-24

in bitterness to such an extent that freights
were reduced to 10 cents hundred-weght. or
about onef fifth of a cent per ton per mile. And
Mr. Vanderbilt, in his evidence before a commit
tee of the New York LEGISLATURE, testified that
to the best of his knowledge and belief his road
had made money in carrying grain at that rate
What has happened in the East may happen
here. 1t has been a sort of axiom in California
that railroads could not live unless they got at
least cent and a quarter to cent and hall
ton per mile for carrying freight They are now
quite likely to have a long experience of very
different scale of rates, and it is possible that
they may md that the lower rates will yield as
much net money as the high rates.
The Rate-C Cutting Knives To Be Laid BY.
The movement to advance in east-bound rates
on Monday next is gratifying to railroad and
business men who believe in doing business on
business principles, which is not carrying
freights at q loss Within the last thirty days
the slashing of east-bound freight rates has gone
even further than In 1881, when every road. was
admittedly doing its best to injure its rival. and
when Mr. Vanderbilt was openly endeavoring by
force of arms to secure to New York an equality
of rates from the West. To-day the position is
different. Every railroad man knows that great
questions in railroad matters cannot be settled
as nations adjust their differences-in bloody
war Transportation problems and the proper
relations of the lines are being studied from
scientific standpoints, and the rights of the
minority. it is recognized, must be protected in
any pooling agreement because the minority can
not be crushed absolutely. 1t cannot be that the
companies have been carving record of business
with their rate-cutting knives by which they
hope to get advantages in the new pools which
are sure to be formed They all know that such
records are of the himsiest character to arrange
percentages on; that no fair minded men chosen
as arbitrators ever give but light weight to them
in making awards. and that record making is
simply useless butchery Of profits that may
bankrupt all lines but will never make one
stronger than it's natural advantages make it.
The permanency of the restored rates will now
be a matter of anxiety.
The situation last night was follows: The
Tuesday last ordered an advance on westbouud
rates. to take effect Oct They then requested
that their western connections should on Mon
day next restore tbonnd rates to the tariff of
July ID, but who ever heard of Chicago road
restoring rates on mere requests They must
be beaten with club before they
will heed even demand to restore
rates. The freight agents of Chicago roads met
yesterday, and last night telegram received by
Commissioner Doherty said nothing was lone,
and another meeting is to be held to-day. At
the request of Commissioner Doherty, the In
dianapolis agents met at his Office yesterday af
ternoon. and they voted to restore east-bound
rates on Monday next providing the same was
done at Chicago. Peoria and st. Loris. They do
not propose to take such a step. however, until
fully convinced that such is the case