New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-25
GENTLEMEN's AGREEMENT.
RAILROAD PRESIDENTS DISCUSSING THE
NETWORK DOCUMENT.
A MEETING IN CHICAGO WHICH SHOWED GREAT

DIVERSITY OF oPINIoN-THE CONFERENCE
TO BE CONTINUED FROM DAY TO DAY
Chicago ILL., Jan. 24.-1he Interstate Commerce
Railroad Association, composed OF the presloehts
of the roads between Chicago, salt LAKE City' e'
Paul and st. Louis, known as the "Genuemehs as
sociaton,' is in session to-day Mt the facino 'ioe
The purpose Of this meeting Is to revise, amend ana
adopt the agreement formulated few weeks ago
by the Gentlemen in New York. Tho agreement
which IN full occupies six newspaper columns, IS
mainly for the purpose OF maintaining rates on the
various roads and providing penalties for Violation
The establishing OF rates has been always an easy
task, but their maintenance has never yet peeh
accomplished. The freight agents tried their hand
at II first and failed then the general managers,
who likewise failed. Many attempts were made, Dut
no sooner would meeting adjourn after each gen.
eral manager had pledged his sacred honor to main
tain rates than some one would BIO accused OF cut
ting The presidents, last resort, decided 10
try their hand. What success they will meet with
remains TO be seen. Charles Francis
Adams, the prime mover Of the new
association was unable to be present. The
presidents in attendance Hughitt. OF the North
western oskes Of the Northern Pacific; Strong Oh the
Santa Fe; Cable, OF the Rock Island stckney OF the
Chicago st. Paul and Kansas City Ashley, OF the
Wabash Western; Waite, of the Cincinnati, Hamilton
and Dayton; Fish, Of the Illinois Central; Hammond
Of the Indianapolis, Decatur and Springfield; Milier
OF the Chicago Milwaukee and ST. Paul; VcePresioent
Mullen, Of the Chicago and Alton, and Receiver
McNulta. OF the wabash. The absence of Chairman
Adams seemed 10 throw wet blanket over the meet
ing and It was not until after O'Clock that President
Strong, of the Santa Fe, moved that President
Hughitt Of the Northwestern, take tho chair Pres-
dent Huehltt said that the work before tho meeting
needed the individual and collective wisdom OF every
member In attendance. lie would labor In and out on
season for the success OF the agreement, but made
D. bfs ced
ecutive part In tie organization President strong
said he felt like missing upon his motion, and II there
were no further objection he would putit PRESIDENT
Hughitt was then unanimously elected chairman, ana
took his seat with the remark that he could not oppose
such a majority. The agreement submitted to the
windsor Hotel meeting and rcsubmtted TO this meet
ing was then read A long discussion followed, show
inc that there would be a cali for many amendments.
II Is learned that a decided change has taken
Mace in the minds OF presidents in yegard TO the
selection Of permanent president Several days
aeo IL WIS thought that Charles Francis Adams would
bo selected without doubt but to-day the sentiments
changes, and Marvin Hughitt OF the Northwestern,
esme to the frOnt with a big stride Pressure was
thought to bear upon him 10 accept the onice, pu1
be said that he preferred that some one else be
ven the positIon Several Of the roads are reuc ans
Ia a,t The Alton Burlington, Wisconsin Central ana
one other rued are holding back, and acting JUST
trIno sttniy toward the proposed association Ihey
win doubtless IN eventually, Dut lt may tdho
sevcra DAYS 10 harmonic the different elements Mr.
perktns OF the Burlington viii not attend the meet
Ings. but the road is represented by Vce-Presidens
Stone. ,.,.
The whole Of the afternoon was given to discussion
NJ the agreement Numerous amendments In the way
az suggestions were proposed, but none OF them
reached vote The point was brought out and
Thoroughly discussed that agreement, To have any
eeect must be perfectly understood. Every wofd
and shade OF meaning must be absolutely agreed upon
II was soon found that the agreement as whole could
not possibly pass and it was seen that much time
,,ouId be consumed in deberaton, resolution was
carried continuing the session ffom day to day unu
an agreement can DO reached The meeting was
secret one but Chairman Hughitt is authority for inc
statement that no legislation was even voted upon
President sticlIney, who voted alone IN me morning
10 admit reporters, said after the meeting:
~There was nothing but talk, talk One road after
another brought objections all day long; The arbi,
tration clause Of tho agreement was ue Pn1nclps,
nctnt at ssuc There were almost as many different
Views as there were roads represented OF course
the agreement must contain an arotratlon clause anu
We will stick 10 this point until we settle IT. Inc
resent clause must be greatly modifed IN 1act rdd
aafv changed 10 receive the sanction OF even ma
torifv To make the agreement binding, of course,
All roads Interested must sign It. don't Know WY
fhe Illinois Central aud the wisconsin Contra, are nor
rnnresented The Sc. Louis and Western Will De rep
tc5ented tomorrow by President MORROW. IL inc
roads represented at to-day's meeting can agree,
think the Illinois Central and the Wisconsin central
sriIl also sign the agreement. Anyway, Ne are soBs
~ keen pegging away until We can agree among our