New-York tribune., 1885-02-07
THE POOLS NOT ABANDONED.
MIR. FINNs RESIGNATION REFUSED.


TRUNK LINE AGREEMENTS CONTINUED PENDING
THE FATE OF THE CHICAGO EAsT-BOUSD POOL
The conference of trunk line presidents at
Commissioner Fnks office yesterday did not end, as had
been expected the abandonment OF their pooling
tracts The situation left practically unchanged,
excepting an important modification made In the
relations Of the roads castbound traffic.
All Of the lines that were parties 10
the original contract represented, Presi
dent Roberts appearing for the Pennsylvania Prest
dent King the Erie Acting President Hayden for the
NewYOrk Central, VicePresdent King for the Baltimore
and Ohio, and Traffic Manager Sergeant for the Grand
Trunk Of Canada, together with many OF their chief
ieutenants The proceedings shrouded In greater
secrecy than has before been thrown around tho
pool deliberations, and great reluctance was shown IN
giving out the result except in the most general way
Commissioner Fink submitted his resignation and
earnestly asked for its acceptance In his remarks he
referred to his desire, entertained for long time past
to be relieved from responsibilities and be enabled to
seek rest from active business cares The presidents re-
fused to accept his resignation and expressed tner
Willingness to grant any leave Of absence that Mr. FINK
might wish After long consideration OF the suDlect
the Commissioner, wnc not withdrawing his rcsigna-
ton consented to remain formally at his post He has
not given up his proposed trip to the South however,
but will continue for the present his relations TO the
pool they existed since the formal submission OF
his resignation four months ago.
thorough discussion of the situation then taken
up by the presidents part Of the time neither the Com
missioner the secretary OF the Commission being
present The keynote Of their final action was struck by
Mr. Fink in his address, referred to above Is under.
stood that he called attention to the notice OF with
drawal from the Chicago East bound
freight pool given by the Chicago and
Grand Trunk, In consequence OF its dissatis'
faction at percentage awardedo 1t by the arbitrator
Judge Cooley. He pointed out that II that pool were TO
he abandoned as result of this action 1t would hardly
Inuia IN he ineia
that II it fell to the ground all the attempts to organize
pools at interior points would fail With no agreed
divisions any OF the principal Western places where
traffic originates 1t would he farce for the trunk lines
to attempt keep up their organizations These arsu'
ments were briefly considered by the Presidents but any
elaborate discussion OF them shut on by tho
! fact which some OF the roads insisted upon,
that the meeting had to deal solely with trunk line
AFFAIRS and that the point to be decided was whether OF
not the trunk line agreements should he suspended or
dissolved. Each of the trunk lire poOihg asreehepts
taken up and upon vote was nna!iy decded mat
they should be continued An important eNSepu9n was
made regarding the east bound pooling contract IL MAS @
roads at liberty to such action as will be deemed
advisable in case the Chicago pool Is aDahdoned.
The spirit OF the discussion, briefly ~presse was thae
while the poo organizations nOm perfect their
maintenance was preferable 10 he aOahuOhmehl Vi an
| association of interest and an open ana bltter
war OF rates UnGer contracts the roads are pledged
TO make monthly settlements In money al gross rates ol
the business carried IN excess OF It's aoteu percesgo
by any particular line. The action regarding the east
bound pool however, reegstes final determination or
conceded that il the Chicago and Grand trunk does not
take buck its notice OF withdrawal the chicago pool VIII
| he brokeu up and tIat event the whole eastDotinu
trunk line fabric will fail 10 the ground Under existing
circumstance the westbound trunk line pool Il is be-
oyed could not be preserved III the Lace Oh ternna'
ton OF the east-bOund contract. .
| No action taken by the presidents looking 70 any
restoration OF freight passenger rates WINE tho
| uooling ORGANIZATIONS continued the salno
freedom of action regarding rates Is reserved py tho
compapies assented to at the meeting Oh jan
uary l6 President King, OF the Erie denied at yeser'
dsys meeting the report that he had issued circular 10
su6ordinates that he had loose from al entanglne
and expected them TO get business al any
rates necessary is understood however that he mas
agents meet tue rates necessary 10 Sc
cure the company's proportion OF we,tbound traffic
An officer OF one of Eries rivals said last nght
do moi believe the Erie has into or intends 10
20 into general slaughter OF rates All 1t has done -
Ia prevent the stealing Of its customers and to protect
itself on business which has recently been losing IL Is
have been made Tor wesl Dounu
freight at considerably below the recent tarln re-
| duction
IN. demand of the Grand Trunk that in the settle
mept of December east bound pool balances an allow
ance sh0nd be made for the freight diverted ny the
ackawnna and West shore from the pool lines was not
considered by the presidents. They took Tie position!
that such subjects must come IN the usuai COURSE ot
business before the executive committee o the vice.
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