New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-18
C. F.ADAMS'S ADDRESS.
mr.. pEpEw TALKS ABOUT RAILWAYS.
A THOROUGH DISCUSSION OF MATTERS suG-
GEsrED BY WHAT WAS SAID TO THE

a
GEsrED BY WHAT WAS SAID TO THE
COMMERCIAL CLUB OF BOSTON
Chauncey NJ Depcw said to Tribune reporter
Yesterday: Every railway man In the country mas
undoubtedly read Charles Francis Adamss address De
forc tho Commercial Club of Boston on saturday
rtrbt II is also, ! have no doubt discussed
by members Of Congress and by investors ana Shippers
al over the country. The high position OF MI
Adams as q railway authority ana MS ouciaA rci"
t,ons rs the head Of of the great lines OF inc
'o,ntrv mako his statements and charges most I'M
nrant contributions to the present discussion OF the
railway problem. His long experience as Railway
Commissioner OF Massachusetts, gives his opinion WI
the effects of any statute IN relation to railways sea'
authority Moro than any other man he may oo
sad 10 be the author Of the Railway Commission idea
From the success OF the Massachusetts, commission
undsr his direction his views TO the operations OF
the law its ultimate effects and the amendments neces
sarv 10 make It are entitled 10 great weight
aTbe whole speech shows that he spoke his mind
regardless of any official position he might hold or
Of any personal end to be attained and this is what
the discussion wanted. There rs an erroneous i'm
urssson that the railroads are striving TO repeal
or 10 nulfy the Interstate law. The law will never
be repealed and IL neither be ignored nor de-
feaed for any length Of time. 1t was compromise
when enacted, and therefore experimental III re-
aured no courage pass IT, for the popular sentiment
was unanimous 1t does require much wisdom and
monstrated defects.
NoDANGER OF A RAILWAY TRUST.
At do not agree with Mr.. Adams as to the gigantic
consultations Of which speaks but is true that
the present intense discussion 10 the feasibility
II great consultations OF clearing houses ana OF So
sailed railway trusts comes from the overwhelming
anxiety Of railway managers and investors to overcome
In lawful way the difficulties Of the present situation
There never can be a railway trust In the sense In
which that word is understood The system is too
large and Congress and the Legislatures would not per-
init it. 1t would excite an alarm which would
lead drastic measures, runous TO the properties
but no man his senses, whether he be shipper or
a stakeholder, any longer doubts the necessity for
agreements among railways as to the maintenance
OF rates
"stablc rates equal chance in the car
rage Of tie freight for everybody. Demorallzed
rates the concentration Of all business In the
hands Of great capitalists by the destruction OF
all small shippers. The law is now operating rapidly
TO concentrate business In grain in metals and in
manufacturers In the hands Of few great operators
who in time could dictate prices to producers and to
consumers and rates 10 the railways among which
they distributed their freight, that the Interstate
Commerce act in the operation of the clauses pro
hibng pools and the rigid enforcement of the short
and long haul intenses and aggravates the evils 1t
was enacted to cure.
SOME SUGGESTIONS ABOUT POOLS.
munity of America as well as the entire railway world
that EQUAL stable and reasonable rates securing the
same treatment TO individuals and localities and tar
returns to railway investors can be accomplished by
pools with power to enforce their contracts, Con-
gress should permit them under such restrictions as
will absolutely prevent their being abused. The
pooling contracts should be submitted TO the Inter
state Commission and only become legal on their. ap-
prova The operations of the pool should be subject
to the constant supervision of the Commission and
the pool commissioner duplicate TO them all his re-
ports and the results OF his investigation as 10 If
Irregularities, violations of the law and the operations
of the agreement. In this way the most potent ma
chinery could be had for the detection and prosecu-
ton OF all violaioIs of the law.
"The ten days notice now required for res
toration of rates should be applied also to the re-
duction of rates. The Commissioners should have
power If the Canadian lines refuse TO come In and
comply with the rules and agreements of these legal
lied pools 10 shut them ont Of participation In the
traffic of the country. The Commissioners should
also have the fullest power I'm their discretion to re-
licve wherever necessary from the enforcement of
the short and long haul clause The tendency of the
act as at present Interpreted, 10 wipe out inter
mediate places and concentrate business al great ter
minals is Just as Mr.. Adams describes it.
DIFFERING FROM MR.. ADAMS ABOUT MANAGERS.
:" think Mr. Adams's description Of the low moral
tone of the railway managers Of the country IS too
strongly drawn. 1t is frescoed beyond the facts
have had the privilege for many years OF knowing
personally the majority Of the railway managers Of
the country and ascertaining much Of their motives
and capacities. They are loyal TO the properties under
their control and bring TO the performance Of their
duties conscientious and tireless industry which is
greater than that exacted I'm other great corporations
account of the nature of the business Their real
trouble is overzealousness for their companies,
producing disirust of the good faith of their rivals
A weak line cuts rates by all of the secret
devices, such underweight free cartng, salaries,
commissions, rents and forth, either 10 get
share of the business more than the proportion It
has formerly had These propositions reach and take
away the best customers of the other lines. The
president demands Of the freight agent reasons for
the loss Of business, and the shippers OF the road
claim the treatment which they receive other
lines, or they will go elsewhere. business moves
so rapidly from line to another that the struggle
to retain their customers becomes In the shortest
possible space of time railroad
THE NECESSITY OF COOPERATION
"Now. under properly regulated pooling agree
ment, arbitration could award to the weaker line
such diferenial from time to time as would give it
Its proportion of the business, and the ramihcs
tons OF the pool would detect at any violation
OF the law The law has demonstrated that indie
pendent action by railroads means ruin, and CO.
operation is absolute necessity, not only for them
but for the business public. The presidents and
general managers of the lines east of Chicago have
come TO understanding that each one will be
bound in honor for the action Of the subOdnaes Of
his own lnc that all charges Will be fairly investigated
and all discussions arbirated and this promises
admirable results. But an enormous business, upon
which much is dependent railway traffic. ought
TO rely upon something stronger permanent and
more easily enforced. This agreement, which will
parenty operate very well Of Chicago, seems
Impossible among the diverse interests and innumer-
able lines west OF Chicago
Our people have always found their way out of
difficulties In manner which demonstrates their
business genius, and think they needed the expo-
sion Of a can of dynamite like that which Mr. Adams
has fired OF to start the movement which will end
In practical and wise solution Of these problems"
DISCl -SING THE LETTER IN WALL STREET
DIFFERENT VIEWS OF 1T TAKEN BY C. P. HUNT
INGTON, ROSWELL p. FLOWER, GENERAL
wINsLow AND OTHERS.
The address Of President Adams accepted in