New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-23
MIR. GOULD Is HOPEFUL.
RESULTS OF HIS OBSERVATIONS IN THE
WEST

THE RAILROAD SITUATION MUCH BFrTER THAN
IT WAS LAST YEAR-THE OUTLOOK EN-.
coURAeiNe-INTERsrATE LAWS AND
RATEs-cITY RAPID TRANSIT.
Jay Gould returned from his annual inspection
OF the Southwestern railroad system early yester
day morning. The return trip was direct from
New-orieans, and the constant travelling wearied
MIN somewhat, but a, few hours rest at home and
short drive in the Park refreshed him. and iu
thc evening. when Tribune reporter saw him
Mr.. Would showed no trace of WEAKNESS in body
or mind After brief account OF his TRIP. his
attention was called TO the ST. Louis interview
ana the dispatch printed in The Tribune of March
ID was read to him.
had not seen that before Mr.. Gould said :
but must confess that it is fair report of
what said there. Ny observations since have
made me more hopeful In some respects, but NV
remarks were about the past year, and my hopes
are for the present year. But what said about
texas, Tor instance. ID absolutely true, and
70 railroad men that State has been a
| CREST dissppointnent The northern part OF IL
and especially the territory traversed by the Texas
Pacific is rich and growing. The greatest dif1.
Guilty, 80 Tar as the rnflroads are concerned. is
thnt cars from the North which carry merchandise
into the State must return empty, because the
cotton crop moves to the Gull, and these trains
return empty, for there Is no merchandise move
ment into the State from the Cult There has
been, moreover, an inclination toward hostile
legislation, which has hurt the railroad companies
Still, Texas h great and noble State, and il is
growing slowly.
RAILROAD BUSINESS IMPROVING
Since we left St. Louis, / have found steady
Improvement in the railroad business and pros
pects The Southwestern and perhaps Western
railroads generally have shown better earnings
since January 1 than they did last year. There
may not have been much increase in tonnage,
but rates have been better maintained, and the
companies are receiving more net money. The
Missouri Pacific is gaining $4,000 to $4,000
q week In gross earnings over the corresponding
time last year. observed, too, that the pas
senger travel was increasing, and that is very
hopeful sign fog the future. The short crops
last year kept Western people at home, for they
are much like the rest OF qs-we DO not tSs SssSel
" In regard to the general railsoad situation,
put great reliance on the recent amendments to
the Interstate Commerce law; They have I'VE greatly
experience has brought railroad men to cleare!
understanding Of It's practical working; The old
pooling agreements wero intended merely 70 MAKE
uniform ond even rates, and 70 prevent the vicious
rate wars which carried rates down only TO DC
raised too high when peaoa was declared; Kali
road men were forced 20 see that StnDh rates
agreements followed. The stronger lines took
care Of the weaker onea and there was less tempta
lion 10 eut rates for each road received is agreed
hyinS about tire same result, although it works
in favor OF the older and stronger lines"
What then, win become OF the weaker
roads p tho reporter inquired.
THE Law MUST BE oDEYED.
aThey viii tsll eventually into the hands OF
the old and s,ronE companies" Mr. Gould replied
dscisiveiy sbecsase they viii not dare TO violate
the amended law; and sn even terms with tho
stronger cornvsies theT win hardly be able 70
SECURE trshlu enough 10 support them Wans
70 80 the bw strictly enforced. and ! have ,l 20
Ing the shipper as web A the railroad onlcer VINO
makes q cut rate Is o powerful hcenuve 70
obedience 70 tho hw. shipper wOuaa 1'.a ossraS
"a him. for the Commission has power to SEND
for books and papers, and the merehant wguIu
be at the mercy OF every eefk IN ms enSacy' SatyS
IN the railroad company could conceal the feDate,
the shtppsr would And IL impossible to DO So:
Az 10 the financial situation, do wish that
our imports were not % arSe ana Una 1oss IooSLt our
inF for any financial crash. think the general
bnsiness of the country is fairly good, and large
crops this year would relieve any probable en-
barrasSment"
THE RAPID TRANSIT QUESTION.
Mr.. Gould seemed eager TO learn how his rapid
transit letter to Mayor Grant had been received.
When he was informed that it had been said
nublely that he did not write the letter, and
that he had returned much sooner than he had
expected In consequence Of rapid transit matters,
"0 The statements, Of course, are absolutely
false The Mayor some time ago invited sugges- |
lions On the subject Of rapid transit and as we |
,rerr In a position TO know something about the |
subject, thought our company ought TO do some |
thjnr In response TO his invitation. There are |
some facts In rapid transit and thought we pos
seesed some Of them. 1t 10 very little that the |
Manhnttan asks Of the city. loop at the Bat |
terry so that the West Side trains would not inter
fere ,dth each other &C the South Ferry terminus
and more room at the City Hall terminus of the |
Third-aye. line would prevent many delays that
express trains-would greatly increase the capacity
of the road An underground railroad IN New
YORK would be unsatisfactory IL 1t could be built
reyatea I railroads without the greatest danger
from collisions. A, block system OF signals
could not be used, for that requires light
so SrastSTound sn1s road could not begin to carry
the number OF passengers the Manhattan Railway
and the improvements that gu ggested
IN fhe Mayor would enable us to handle st1H |
larger traffic with ease and safety And compare
for moment the personal cnlntlrt ana convenience
an elevated and underground railroads. Why, an
road In this city Is almost an i'm
So far as the statement is concerned that
returned sooner than expected can simply
that Ssors rye We Sf M Wished
10 be here today on account OF some business
m agement and promised that ne should be here:
We shSad have SsaSt train nsar DsnSI Va
had NOT DELAYED us for twelve hours or more AS
h was Mr. Sloan was able TO keep his engage.
mentS
Eg WAITS AN AEswER ZION THE MAYOR,
r.,,..on naIxieI who wrote TO Mayor Grant |