New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-23
MR.. GOULD AS A MEDIATOR.
EFFORTS TO RESTORE RAILWAY RATES.

GETTING THE TRUNK LINES TO SPEAK FOR PEACE
NO PROSPECT OF A SPEEDY AGREEMENT.
The rumOrs regarding a settlement of the
hostile relations existing between the NewYOrk Central
and the West shore railroads. which have dormant
in Wall Street for long me were revived yesterday
speculative circles At the last time they current
the only oasis Tor them the unofficial visits OF Cyrus
W. Field TO the officers OF the companies for
the purpose OF securing expression OF opinion
that both lines were willing to advance
passenger rates. The Justification for the renewed
reports Of settlement is tho fact that Jay Gould
has, within the last few days. in person by letter,
asked the several trunk lines II they would cooperate
In restoration OF rates" As that is position which
every road has taken at the pool meetings for
past nut which have been fruiess in the deysing OF
means to render cooperation possible, railroad men
were not surprised when President King. Of the Erie,
and the Pennsylvania Railroad responded in the affirm
ative to Mr.. Goulds inquiry Receiver Houston of the
west shore, replied that he would willingly advance
rates II all the other trunk lines would agree TO do So
The Lackawama is said 70 have given a favorable
answer Mr.. GOulds communication has yet to be acted
upon by the executive committee of the NewYork Cen
tral Railroad As Mr.. Field is member OF the latter
committee, It is expected that his influence will certainly
be eXerted toward assuring Mr. Gould that all for
obtaining permanent restored will be welcomed.
30 Tar as any Official negotiations between the Central
and the West Shore are concerned the officers OF the
Central cmphatlcally denied yesterday that there had
been any. General Passenger Agent Kendrick also
denied that the Central had declared that 1t would
follow West shore In advancing local passenger rates
The West shore had made tho first reduction unprof
able rates and II anxious for peace II should take
the Initiative In restoring them Vice-President III. j.
Hayden said that the West shore responsible for the
exiting state OF affairs apd had
rates when asked II the Central would follow the West
shore l an advance, he replied: That is matter TO
bc decided after the West shore has ordered the retOr
ton There many things for the Central to consider"
No agreement to advance passenger rates has been
ma e by any trunk line Rates the West yesterday
ruled ON the recent basis Local tickets 10 Buffalo
were cut an additional 80 cents however. the brokers
selling AT - against - % on Thursday In Buffalo the
open rate TO NewYork by the West shore 80 75
rate which has prevented the Chicago roads from at
tempting to restore the eastbOund tariff IL Is under
stood on good authority however, that as low rate AS
- % was made yesterday
An ohcer OF the Central qualified to speak authOrta
lively on the subject stated the position OF that road as
follows:
The Central holds West Shore responsible for the de-
mOrazaton of local freight and passenger rates and
largely for that In through rates But that rates
are down there many difficulties in the way Of
tonton The Central Is not willing To put up rates for
the West shore To have more profitable basis 10 cut
from. Our rival has cut under its centamle passenger
basis; why may IL not cut II rates are put back TO
able rates We reluctantly followed West Shores policy.
which We considered robbery In self
be backing and nltng' all the ti;ne. according
the West shore rates. The West shores
tickets are good for thirty days ought we to consent To
advance with the possibility Of block of these cheap
tickets being sold the day before possible agreement
went into cneCt Then regards immgr rates any
attempt restore them would be focd by the II orders
which the Pennsy vaua Railroad has sold by the thou
sands The Central willing to restore rates but 10 must
be ON stable basis and not words and promises No,
the managers not fearful Of proceedings against
them by The state so long as the stockholders sustain
them they will not worry. and for public opinion, sup
posing We should not follow an advance by the West
shore, the public won't clamor vigorously Tor higher
rates even II Wall Street speculative public does"