New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-23
TRUNK LINES IN ACCORD.
TO PERFECT THEIR AGREEMENT.
FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE PRESIDENTS IN
FIVE MoNTHs-RENEwED PLEDGES OF CO..
oPERATI OF LAW TO
DE REPoRTED-TuE PRINCIPLE or
ARBITRATION REAFFIRMED.


BE REPoRTED-THE PRINCIPLE on
ARBITRATION REAFFIRMED.
For the first time since last September, the trunk
line presidents were able &c hold meeting yesler-
day at Commissioner Flnks ofice. All OF The
associated roads were represented except tho Now
York Ontario and Western, whose president was Kept
away by Indlsposiilon. Those present inclnnea
President Roberts and Vice President Thomas of me
Pennsylvania President Depew and vice-Presldent
Hayden OF the New-Yorl Central President King ana
Vice President FELTON,, OF the Erfe President Mayer
and Vice. President Orland Smith, of the Baltimore
and Ohio President Wilbur and Traffic Manager Tay-
Tor, OF tho Lehigh Valley; General Manager Laying
and Traffic Manager Musson, Of fhe West shore
President Sloan and Traffic Manager Hegeman, oil tho
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western; and Generll
Manager HclrsOn and Traffic Manager Sergeant OF
the Grand Trunk Of Canada. Mr. Sloan has not
been present at meeting Of the presidents since as'
May, and at the meeting held then he len the Com
missioner's Office so soon that he could hardly DO
considered to have really participated in the pre-
ceedlngs II a subject for congratuaiion
In railway circles that Mr.. Sloan hal developed
the taste for conference with HIS colleagues INST
manifested by his miDgng with the members
OF the recent bankcrspresldenis' conference at mo
house of J. Pierpont Morgan.
Besides the presence OF Mr. Sloan the meeting
yesterday was notable for IT'S contrast with that held
faces the presidents broke UP with The conviction
that each road could work with better results 10 stock
holders II each acted independently OF the other
Yesterdays discussion appeared to develop the fsct
that the experiment had not been successful, and
general spirit manifested, both during and befors
the time devoted 10 discussing elaborate luncheon,
TO cooperate in the future Commissioner Fink supplied
great deal Of information 10 the presidents showing
that they had In existence ready be used at viii,
organization which closely reached the ideal ac-
copied at the bankers presidents conference. He
pointed out the Insignificant proportions OF some
classes OF traffic that had been the subject Of rate
up 10 January l and had pile OF statistics to
demonstrate the waste OF earnings which entaled
by The failure TO act unitedy and TO submit differ
TO arbitration All the utterances Of the prcsl
dents In favor of fair dealing harmony and CO
operation and the temper which prevailed finally
embodied in the following resolutions that were
adopted:
Resolved, First That the Trunk Line Beard Of Presi
dents recognize In the agreement Of the Western pres
dents the principles already included In the main, in the
trunk line agreement and that the former he referred
the Copmlssoner report the Board OF Presidents
90 a meeting 10 be called by the chairman what mod
ncations n any, are necessary Advisable In the
existing trunk line agreement; the Commissioner 20
have the power call together the Executive COMMITTEES
from time 10 time for consultation.
Second. That the report Include g provision ebody
ing rules under which reports shall be made The In
rfstoie commerce Commission or Hiilul VloapohA OF
the law.
Third, That the principle OF arbitration be- II neees
sary. distinctly and clearly fesnirmed.
Fourth That provision be made far as the SANE
lawfully b. DONE TO guard against road In this
association being used by connecting lines In violation Of
the spirit OF the trunk line agreement.
meeting Of. the trunk line committee Will be
called by Commissioner Fink at early date II
Is probable that Ire viii recommend Strengthening
Of the trunk line agreement by further legislation
toward closer clearing scheme, by which tho
controversies that necessarily arise between COM
peting or adverse interests be reduced TO the
smallest number of questions requiring arbitration.
most important part OF the new legislation viii
provide for the regulations under which each road Will
feel free TO furnish evidence Of raecuting other
Illegal acts without fear OF compromising the givcrs
OF evidence or OF taking tho position OF iniomers
II IS hoped that the third and fourth resolutions Of
the presidents viii tend TO render the Grand Trunk
more actablc In future negotiations or controversies
with the American lines.