The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-16
A PROTEST AGAINST POOLS
The Chicago Board of Trade Denounces
Traffic Associations as Injurious,
On the Ground that They Operate Against the
Business of That City-Plea for Removing
Restrictions from Canadian Roads.

CHICAGO, July 15.-The Senate interstate
commission resumed it's work
to-day. 1t began with the hearing of a
special committee of the Board of Trade.
Secretary Stone read a report on questions
submitted by the Senate committee to the
Board of Trade on the 10th inst. To the
question, do Canadian lines of transpor-
tation In the United States affect the COM
mercial interests of the United States IA
vorably OF unfavorablyf" the reply was:
s.Probably as a whole they affect it favor
ably in SO far as is favorably
affected by having open TO it as many chan
nels of trade as possible"
I'm what manner does it affect such in
terests9"
First, by smashing pools and all traffic
arrangements that have existed between
such roads as the Michigan Southern and
Michigan Central. and second, by the equal
ization of freights to points in New Eng
land, when American lines charged exOrbi-
tant rates under the interstate-cOmmerce
law. The Grand Trunk line, of Canada.
was the pioneer in the dressed-beef trade,
which, before they encouraged it, was con-
~tlnually discouraged by American roads in
the interests of their livestock trade and
yard COMMISSIONS
"IsIrafic origiDatingin the United States,
and which would naturally belong to Amer
lean roads, diverted from them by Canadian
foads?'
1T has not, except in the case of perish
able goods. The Canadian lines were
among the first to build and operate trans.
fer elevators here for the preservation of
identity and the weighing of grain In hop
per scales, as required by the law of the
State, which law is now openly deted by
some of the American lines centering here.
The Canadian lines have won the larger
share of this business from the West by
euch and kindred measures. and by n uni-
formly Just and equitable treatment of
their patrons. and not by favoritism to one
shipper over another, as is evidenced by
the popular regard had Tor these lines by
Western merchants.
1--WE do not consider any additional egis-
lation necessary. No further restrictions
upon the commerce between the United
States and Canada by the water routes
should be tolerated. but this committee
would recommend the enforcement of the
acknowledgements act and such laws as
pertain to the bonded regulation of
United States products passing over the
great commercial highways of Canada as
will allow them to pass untrammeled in
the future as in the past. The adoption Of
any legislative measures calculated to re-
strict the transportation facilities now en-
joyed by all will, III the opinion OF the COM
mittee.. bury in impenetrable oblivion the
party that accomplished it,"
The committee also suggested additional
legislation to make it unlawful for railway
corporations to combine for the formation
of railway associations like the Trunk
line. Central Traffic, southwestern and
Or railway trusts of any description. be-
lieving they destroy competition and evade
the law.
This statement appeared to come unex-
somewhat of "a sensation. They
Immediately abandoned, temporarily,
the consideration of the relations
With Of Ganada; as. to to r.t develop the
and pools. This is indeed an important
question" said Senator Hiscock, and the
attitude of the Board of Trade in this city
is a surprise to me. The consensus of pub
lie opinion both among railroad men and
shippers. and particularly in Boston, where
we were last In session. is that these asso-
citations and traffic agreements are the only
solution of the present complication. L
would Xix to ask whether the denuncia-
tory sentences in your report are a deliber-
ate opinion or are merely rhet0ricali" =
The committee evidently did rot antici-
pate this turn of affairs and evaded an i'm
mediate answer on the protest by saying
they did not understand they were present
to consider the question of pools. Indiyid-
ual members of the committee were then
examined on this point and other points.
and from each was elected the strongest
opposition 20 any traffic agreement or diff
f~erentials for the weaker roads. on the
ground that it prevented free competition.
Geo. /. Clark was asked If he thought
present traffic differentials should be
abandoned for the old cut rates, and he
replied by saying he thought the traffic
associations had never been successful. He
also said he thought the rates were higher
under traffic agreements and since the
adoption of the interstate law.
Senator Reagan asked: ''Is the policy of a
stronger road allowing differentials to q
weaker road a good one?'
1T might prevent a rate war;" said Mr..
Clark.
VIM. J. Polk opposed the traffic associa-
induced an indifference to the wants of the
trade.
A. NJ. Wright, formerly president of the
Board of Trade, said pooling had always
opportunities to cut before and after the
adoption of the interstate law. III. Z.
Douzman and Mr.. Wicker, traffic manager
of the Chicago d Northwestern railway,
the making of seabOard rates.
The commission finished its work this
afternoon and left for the East, with the
exception of Chairman Cullom.
Secret Meeting of Engineers.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.,, July 15.-About 400
representatives of the local Brotherhood of
Engineers of the State assembled in this
city yesterday, and held a secret meeting
at the State-house. Little could be learned
as to the object of the meeting. but 1t is
thought preliminary steps were taken for
the a-malgamatiOn OF the Brotherhood with
other railroad organizations. Chief Arthur
was present and addressed the men. but he
Is understood to be opposed to .a%malgama-
ton. What decision was reached by the
delegates cannot be ascertained. A we'll
known railroad official said tonight. how
ever, that it has been known In railroad
circles for some time that the engineers are
dissatisfied with the outcome of the strike
on the Burlington system, and it has been
understood that this meeting was TO con-
slider the best plan of retrieving their for
mer power. To do this it is thought a gen.
eral strike of the engineers and firemen on
every western road was proposed. This.
OF course, was streruously denied by the
officers OF the Brotherhood, but there seems
TO be good ground for believing this move
was discussed. Representatives of the
b motherhood as far east as Ohio and from
the western states were present.
The Vanderbilt Lines Reduce Grain Rates.
CHICAGO. July 15.-The Lake Shore and
Nickel-plate roads gave notice to-day that
they would reduce the rates on all grain
products to the basis of 20 cents n hundred
pounds, Chicago to New York. taking effect
July is. All the Vanderbilt lines are now
in this movement. the Michigan Central
having issued its tariff Saturday. following
the lead of the Chicago & Grand Trunk
The Pennsylvania and the Chicago & At
lanfic have not as vet the reduction