New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-01
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
TO MEET THE ALTON'S RATES.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE Asso
CITATION COMMITTEE.

CATION COMMITTEE
Chicago. July 81 tspcciaD-The committee OF he
Interstate Commerce Railway Association appointed
for the purpose OF taking Independent action against
the Alton held preliminary meeting to-day IN Char-
man WALKERS Office. a de- patch was received from
Traffic Manager Leeds of the Missouri Pacific. saying
that be was ILL., but would endeavor to meet with the
committee on Friday. The committee consists OF one
member from each OF the Kansas City roads, and IS
authorized Immediately 10 take action In case any
move of the Alton demands It, General Manager
St John OF the Rock Island said in reference TO the
position OF his road:
aMr McMullIn. in q recently published interview,
bas clearly defined the present position and policy of
the Alton road II Is 10 insist through rates being
mazda on basis that will give to 1t fair share Of tho
traffic which goes to- and comes from, points west OF
Kansas CITY, lie illustrates his meaning by citing a
shinment OF live stock from Topeka, on the ROCK
Island road through Kansas City, TO Chicago. Upon
such shipment the tariffs of all the l!ncs as hereto
fore adjusted provided for through rate somewhat
less than the two locals. This practice was In accor-
dance with ell-rccognized principles of ratemakng,
as universally practised By carriers, and has been
annroyed by the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which in a recent used the following language
AS through rates made by the American system OF
roads agreed percentages Of the total rate, consider
abIv less in amount than the local rates Of roads rcev
ns such percentages are usually leading feature, anil
1
this should be so. Commerce requires 1t and COM
netton compels H. Such rates, when reasonably and
fairly adjusted local business, greatly favored
IN the law because they furnish cheaper rates and
greater facilities to the public; while, at the same
time. they give increased employment and earnings
to larger number of carriers. In the rates, as ad-
iusted heretofore upon livestock traffic from points in
Kansas the Indian Territory, Texas etc, through
Kansas City to Chicago the difference between the
sums of the locals and the through rates was en-
trelv reasonable difference and the tariffs in question
were precisely upon the line OF the resolution, which
MIR. McMullin quotes approvingly. Notwithstanding
this he says that he proposes TO get what he calls
"a fair share Of the traffic by reducing the local rate
from Kansas City to Chicago to tho amount OF the
proportionate rate between these points charged by
tho Rock Island on the through shipment This state
ment IS certainly candid. His line has no extension
west OF Kansas City. The Rock Island has He pro-
noses TO make the latter divide with him traffic which
originates upon the extension that It has furnished
means 10 construct and this he will do by reducing
the established rate from Kansas City 10 Chicago.
This declaration follows his announcement IN the Same
interview that the Alton does not cut any rates 1t
only reduces when necessary. to meet cut rates of
other roads, Yet the Alton has Just forced large
reduction in all rates live stock and products from
Kansas City to Chicago in accordance with the policy
above stated Naturally and inevitably when the
Alton reduces its from Kansas City to the division
of the through charged upon the lines where the
live stock shipments originate those lines must meet
tho reduction the local and at the same time reduce
their through rate pondingy. This Is
for their preservation They Will not think that they
can reasonably be asked to cut their lines In two for
the benefit of the Alton, can the latter justly ex-
pcct them to surrender traffic which they have con-
srqcted long lines of road to This step Will
apparently involve reduction by the Alton. to
the level of the proportlonate rates. and the pro
cess will be repeated un all the lines doing bust
ness at loss and somebody surrenders. The assoca-
ton has desire to punish the Alton for its with
drawal, or for anything else Action necessary for
the protect of its lines against the Atoms raid will
probably be taken, hOwcvcrr