New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-09
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
STILL URGING COMBINATION.
THE CLEARING HOUSE PLAN NOT YET ADAM
DoNED by CHICAGO MANAGERS.


Chicago, Dec Special" The Railway Age
which reflects the view of the railway managers s
stu urging tho clearing house" plan as solution OF
the present difficulties and says to-day: "The railway
managers seriously and earnestly endcavor1hg 10
avert the threatened ruin of the great properties "hch
they represent, by dev sing some plan through which
all may unto for the maintenance OF rates, anu inc
opinions Of newspaper writers who have ne'her Pc
cuniay interest practical experience, nor even cOret
ical knowledge concerning the great questions involved
have no weight with them whatever IL IS not
matter of newspaper opinion, as In political contro'
versy but question OF the salvation by pracca Onsi-
ness measures oil enormous interests from rum winch
would bring tremendous disaster upon the whole ooun
try. The proposed clearing house plan IS stil under
consideration and appears TO many managing Oihcers
be the most feasible arrangement at present offered
There are others who fear that It does not go far
enough to bo fully effective, and they are cndeavorng
10 study out how II may be strengthened. We have
authority for saying that the heads of all the com
panes interested In the proposed plan are earnest to
see rates restored and maintained and are willing and
anxious to cooperate in any practicable movement for
this purpose. One president, who has been conspic-
uously cited by newspaper correspondents
| as opposed to cooperation with other lines in the
matter stated TO the writer that he would agree to
| anything that would reach the desired end and OK
pressed himself willing to have the fixing OF rates
placed in the hands of representatives of the General
|
under legislation by which proper traffic agreements
should be not only pcrmssive, but when mado should
be binding A great wrong TO all interests Is done
by that portion the public press which pcrsstenty
seeks excite prejudice against any and all railway
| agreements The conductors OF these Journals can
realize the gravity of the situation nor understand
that IN reckessy inviting railway bankruptcy they
are showing themselves enemies 10 every eonmYicai
and industrial interest. Happily these Journals 90
not rcpr the Intelligent and substantial Interests
Of the country They do not represent the shippers who
pay the railway charges and TO whom sablli! OF
rates Is of the first luence and they do not repre-
| sent the thoughtful we-mformcd and fairmindcd
men in public life, State and National In endclvoT,
ing to avert certain disaster to the railways ana an
| other interests the railway managers have inc
sympathy of the best classes OF evcry community anu
we believe that Congress and the state Legislatures
Will soon be ready to lcgalze and to slis aln any
reasonable method with the railways may hh0y
| agree upon for putting end to tho existing de,
morazal ion and establishing and maintaining TAR ana
reg SON able rates The report OF the Interstate Com,
merce Commissioners who have made serious ana
thorough stud! of the great problems involved IS an
| encouraging indication OF what IS to be hOped lOr
| from the fair.mlnded portion OF the public