New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-30
ERIE IN FULL SYMPATHY.
STILL ADVANCING TOWARD PEACE.
CONFERENCES BETWEEN Mr. DEPEw AND MR.

CONFERENCES BETWEEN Mr.. DEPEw AND MR.
KING-THE 1NTERsTAT LAW QUESTION.
The announcement in The Tribune yesterday OF
the exact status of the trunk line negotiations In
tended to secure Improvement in the rate siua-
ton gave great satisfaction in railway circles and
contributed little the enjoyment of numerous
Thanksgiving dinners To-day 1t may be stated
with authority that further progress made I'm tho
direction OF general harmony by conference yestcr-
day afternoon between John King, president of tho
New York. Lake Erie and Western, and President
Depew of the New York Central The conversation
was held at Mr. Depew's home where the meeting
between Mr.. Depew and NJ. Roberts and Mr. Thorn
son was held Tuesday night because of the
temporary lamcncss OF the CcntrsIs chief The
conference Of Tuesday night resulted In such frank
interchange of views that the policies of the two
great trunk lines will be conducted more closely to-
gether in the future. The conference of yesterday
developed the fact that the Erie could be relied upon
TO act in the spirit as that which guides the
stronger roads, and anxious to reach a rcstora-
ton of rates soon as possible. There is
to believe that either today or tomorrow the man
ayers of the Central Traffic Association at Chicago
will order an advance in eaSt-bOund rates, and that
tho west bound tariff will follow this movement
As The Tribune stated yesterday, the securing OF
permanent and complete harmony among the trunk
lines viii be the subject OF future meetings and dis
cusslons, but tie foundations being laid for new
which ended the West shore war. Their completion
and execution, however will rest upon necessary
amendments TO the Interstate Commerce law, and II
these cannot be obtained from Congress pcrma-
nency need be looked for in the steps being taken
toward ending decentralization in rates. The rail-
roads Will ask Congress TO lesazc, instead OF pro
hibtlng, the system of pooling dividing traffic
that each road Will receive fair and equitable
share of competitive business. The Commission Will
be given the supervision of the pool and the power
to pass upon the reasonableness of any tariff The
railroad leaders who will in this matter believe
that by these changes in the law the public Will be
protected in stable and fair rates, Willie the railroads
viii be deprived of ability temptation TO throw
away their revenues in fruitless competitive conrO
vcIsics. Under the unlesalzcd pooling system rail
road bred by speculative managers or by
roads which dishonesty sought TO evade their agree
ments at the expense of their rivals. Under legal
lied pooling SYSTEM with Federal supervision. there
win be question that any manager who took action
which he could not Justify to the Commission and TO
the public would be hurled instantly from his post
The way would be paved for harmonious cooperation
Of the railways In preparing agreements in whose
stability they would repose complete confidence.
The evils of shifting and dcmoIalized rates. rail-
way assert felt most by the small shipper
The large shipper has dozen facilities for availlng
himself Of rate warning where his small rival has
Therefore, it is argued. the continuance of the
existing of affairs will inevitably lead to the
extinction of the small shippers and the concentration
Of the control of the commodities of the country In
send Tf Of % m is can s5 or the E ar
producer the prices which he shall receive 10 the
10 the railroads The rates al which they shall haul
the traffic of this food trust. The power Of tho
dressed beet shippers IN dem9faAng rates on ms
then against another line Is sure 10 pass into the
hands of other like combinations, railway men say, If
the Law remains I'm its present shape a bar to the
preservation of stable rates.