The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-24
JAY GOULD N THE WEST
lie fays the Railroad situation H. Much
Netter Ihan u Va. Ia.t AeaI.

He fays the Railroad situation l. Much
Better Than II Was Last Year.
Jas Gould returned from bis annual
inspection of the Southwestern railroad
system early yesterday morning The
return tTip was direct from Sew Orleans
aud the constant travelling Weatied him
someWh hat but few hour. resi- 40 home
and short drive In the Park refreshed
him. and in the evening when "A Irt5uue
reporter saw him Mr. Gould showed no
trace of WEAKNESS I'm body or mind After
a brief account of his trip, his attention
was called to the S. Louis interview and
the dispatch printed in the IfibtD. of
March Is was read 10 him
Il had no, seen that before Mr.
Gould said "but must confess that Sc
is fair report Of what / said there Ny
observations since have made me more
hopeful in some respects. hut my remarks
were about the past year and my hopes
are for the present year Buy what !
said about Texas, for instance. is absO-
lutely true, and 10 railroad men that
State has been a great disappointment.
The northern part OF il, and specially The
territory trayersed by the Texas Pacific,
j. rich and growing. The greatest Diff
Guilty, so far as the railroads are con
cerned, IS thas cars from the North
which carry merchandise into the State
must return EMPTY, because the cotton
crop moves TO the Gulf, and these trains
return empty, for there IS no merchan
disc movement into the State from the
Gulf There has been, moreover, an in
clinaton toward hostile legislation
which has hurt the railroad compauies.
Sill, Texas is great and noble state,
and IL is growing slowly.
RAILROAD BUSINESS IMPROVING.
Since We left St Louis have found
steady improvement N The railroad
business ana Prospects he South
western and perhaps Western railroads
generally have shown better earnings
since January lst than hey did mst
wear. There may not have been much
increase In tonnage, but rates have been
better maintained, and the companies
are receiving more net money. The hi5
souri, Pacific is gaining $40 600 10 $50 900
a week in eros. earnings over the cor
responding time last year. / observed,
too, that the passenger travel was in-
creasing, and that is a very hopeful sign
for the future. The short crOns last
year kept Western people at home, Tor
they are much ike the rest of us
we do not travel unless We have
something 10 our pockelb00ks
In regard 10 the general railroad sit
uation, put great reliance on the recent
amendments to the Interstate Commerce
law. They have greatly strengthened
the original law, and the years ex.
perience has brought railroad men 90 Il
clearer understanding OF It's practical
working. The Old pooling agreements
were intended merely Do make uniform
aud even rates, and 10 prevent
the vicious ratio wars which care
ried rates down only 10 be
raised too high when peace was de-
clarcd. Railroad men were forced 20 see
that stable rates alike to all were more
profitable, and pooling agreements fol-
lowed The stronger Zines took care OF
the weaker ones, and there was less
tempt alton 10 cut rates, for each road
received il. agreed percentage OF bush
hess. The Interstate law will bring
about the same result, although 10 works
In favor OF the older and stronger lines
What, then will become 81 tic weak
er roads, the reporter inquired
THE LAW MUST b. OBEYED.
They will fall eventually into the
hands Of the old and strong companies,
Nr Gould replied decisively, because
they will not dare % violate the amended
law, and on even terms with the stronger
companies they viii hardly be able 10
secure traffic enough 20 support them /
want 10 see tho nw strictly en-
forced, and | have no doubt that il