New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-12
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
MANIPULATION OF GRAIN RATES.
IMPROPER METHoDs BELIEVED TO BE THE
CAUSE OF NEw.YoRK's loss OF TRAFFIC.

CAUSE OF NEw.YoRK's LOSS OF TRAFFIC.
Considerable attention is being attracted to the
heavy exports Of grain from Baltimore, and both
merchants and railway men are wondering az the
figures. They show particularly heavy gain over
year ago in corn, and tho movement from the
interior to Baltimore is far in excess Of what merchants
consider should be fair proportion for that port
Thls city has suffered severely in consequence and the
roads have lost In earnings. In lesser degree the
PORT Of Philadelphia has been gaining at the expense
Of New-York and between She competition Of the two
moro Southern Cities the grain trade here has serious
grounds vi complaint
The heavy corn movement to baltimore has lasted
since December and has not been affected by tho
restoration of freight rates by the trunk lines and their
western connections In fact since the agreement 10
stop cutting New-York has been losing and Baltimore
has kept gaining ground. It is not charged that
the Baltimore and Ohio and the Pennsylvania roads
have been cutting rates. but railway do not
hesitate to say that the figures indicate some sort
Of manipulation of the tariffs. in fact some officers
speak privately in vigorous terms regarding the situa
ton Of affairs
similar companies at Baltimore and Philadelphia
Which arc closely connected with the roads that arc
enjoying such excessive shares Of the grain movement
are responsible for the superior advantages secured
by which, while the roads cannot be proved directly
to be cutting tariff rates, they can enjoy all the
believed that the Ncw-Yorf roads viii submit long to
Improper manipulation OF transportation charges
through interests connected with The roads that arc
receiving this large traffic. and merchants hope mat
tho Executive Committee Of the trunk lines VIII. at
Its meeting tomorrow, investigate the subject
PRESIDENTS AGREEMENT STILL UNSIGNED.
Chicago Feb. IL specaD. President Huehtt, Of the
Northwestern road, was asked this morning what
progress had been made in securing Signatures to the
presidents agreement lie said: "Thc roads which
did not sign Immediately have not done since We
expected TO have another meeting Of presidents this
week. but have learned that It would be Impossible
for some of the presidents to attend The meeting
will be put of until next Tuesday or Wednesday MT
Hughitt had not heard lately from p fdeDt Strong OF
tho Santa Fe He is in Texas an( has not secured
the signature to the agreement Of tho Kansas CITY,
Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad Neither has any woru
been received from the Chicago Burlington and Quincy
The Illinois Central has not changed its refusal to sign
and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy viii not sign
until the signatures OF all tho others are assured
Unless some way of bringing the backward roads ino
line can be invented at tho coming meeting OF the
presidents IL IS thought that all efforts to form the
Interstate Commerce Association viii cease. In mis-
event Receiver McNulta OF the Wabash IS fearful not
only Of crash in railway stocks but also OF GUS
astrous financial crisis Tho presidents are. however,
intensely interested in the formation Of the agreement
and stronger canvassng than ever viii be done oeiore
next Tuesday
THE CASE AGAINST THE LEHIGH COAL CohfANi'
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE Interstate Commerce
Commission to-day resumed the hearing In the case
Of Coke Bros & Co. against tho Lehigh Valley Coal
Company. The feature Of the hearing was she
testimony Of william II. sayre, Of Bethlehem Penn
the general agent OF the Lehgh Valley Coal Company
He said that his company mined and sold durng tho
year 1887 41G tons OF anthracite coal and during
the year 1883, 1,455,1o4 TONS The net profits on
tho 1887 business were 1897 5s5 AZ, and on tho 1883
business, ,465 3d. These absolutely net
profits obtained by deduetlng from the receipts every
expense however incurred. lie said that his com
pany pays to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
and 10 every other railroad company handling its
coal the full rate charged other producers and that u
receives no drawbacks rebates, allowances or other
special privileges OF any character whatever Several
other witnesses, mainly producers, testified that not
withstandng tho alleged high freight rates charged
by the railroads they regarded anthracite coal mining
business The petitioners hero rcSted their case and
the hearing was adjourned untn tomorrow.
ANNUAL REPORT or PHILADELPHIA AND ERIE.
Philadelphia, Feb IL (speciaD.-The following d.
rectors Of the Philadelphia aud Erie Railroad were
elected today: ". Hasel Wilson, j. N. Dubary,
wstar Norris Samuel Cuisine Thompson. Amos r.
Little, n. Parker shortrdge, Henry ID. wech, William
j. Howard william l. Elldns and J. Bayard Henry.
The annual report showed total operating earnings
for tho year. s1373 O42 30 expenses se,733,oss %
net earnings, 81 $50 053 90; total income, 81 $685.
500 20 The net earnings for 1883 increased go 81
over 1887.
no DOUBT OF EVENTUAL CONSOLIDATION.
There were no new developments yesterday respect
ing the proposed consolidation Of the Cleveland,
Columbus Cincinnati and indianapolis (" bee Lnes)
and the Cincinnati Indianapolis, ST. Louis and Chi
cago 1.-THE Big Four Railroads, and IT win doubtless
take some time to complete tho details. President
Ingalls,, OF the Big Four" is at the West for te
purpose OF assembling his board Of directors for formal
consideration OF the scheme. There IS no reasonable
prospect that the consolidation viii not be effected but
until tho negotiations have reached moro definite
STAGE the details OF the plan Will BIO guarded jealously
j. Pierpon Morgan said yesterday that tho idea OF
transfer Of stock from tho Big Four TO the Bee limo
was erroneous what proposed was an actual con-
not been entirely eOmpletcd,' Mr.. Morgan added |
but everything Is making favorable progress II |
will DO an important transaction and OF great benent
20 both roads,
gfTr1FT -frvrfANy