New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-26
THE PLEDGE OF SECRECY.
CONFERENCE ON RArE-cUrrING.
Ex-JUDGE COOLEY MEETS THE RAILWAY COM
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF ACTION AGAINST
ROADS VIOLATING THE LAW.

ExJUDGE COOLEY MEETS THE RAILWAY COM
IssIoNERs-PRosPEcT OF ACTION AGAINST
ROADS VIOLATING THE LAW.
Ex-Judge Cooley, chairman of the Interstate Com
merce Commission was in the city yesterday and had
a conference at the Office of the Trunk Line Commits
sion, No $40 broadway with Commissioner Fink. Of
the trunk lines, Commissioner Blanchard of the Cen
trail Traffic Association, and Commissioners BIIdgely
and Fatlorn, Of the Western Freight Association.
Mr. Cooley put the seal Of secrecy the lips Of the
four commissioners and showed that he was not de-
sirous OF enllstng the support Of publicity in the
work of exposing and Furnishing the fraudulent methods
of Western railroad managers, by which rates cut
in violation Of the Interstate Commerce law Grill
clsm of the policy OF the chairman Of the Federal
Commission was withheld In railway circles in the
hope that IL would tend 10 moro eicacous gather
ing OF evidence and moro successful haling OF the
men guilty Of violating the law before the proper
authorities.
1t is understood, however, that Mr.. Cooley's brief
visit VIII probably DO productive Of results not at all
satisfactory TO many Of the Western railroad man
ayers. Important evidence was placed in his hands
and he received Information which is likely to Induce
the Federal Commission 10 summon prominent Wit
nesses at their next session The revised agreement
Of the trunkline presidents has imposed upon Com
missioner Fink the duty OF cooperating with the
Government officers In seeing that the penalties Of the
law are applied without fear or favor. Public sent
ment Is certain TO back up the action OF the United
states officers for the dishonest manipulation OF rail-
way rates Is conceded 10 result In discrimination In
furious to many shippers and to many places. II Mr.
Flnks welIknown reluctance 10 attach publicity to
the proceedings Of the trunk lines should hold him
back from voluntary action, In spite Of the direct IN
structions Of the trunkline presidents 1t VIII prob
ably be overcome by the subpoena Of the Federal OF
hcers Commissioner Blanchard, The Tribune has
sald is known TO hold important testimony concern
ing violations Of the law and no IS likely 10 be pressed
into the service Of the public az the next general
meeting Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
Doubtless there is much information OF Irregularities
that nufy the law in the possession OF the two West
ern MISREPRESENTATION and Mldgely. Early ac
ton by the Federal Commission Is expected, and 1t
IS hoped that Il win take cOnzance OF other cases
than that Of the Terre Haute and Peoria road, which
The Tribune mentioned Friday, and viii invest
gate those companies which have virtually confessed
TO wrongdoing and pleaded the that they only
followed bad examples Chairman Cooley Is said u
have recently expressed the opinion that the time
for cautonlng counseling and advising railway men
not to break the law had passed, and that prompt
measures 10 exact the penalties provided by the Ma
tonal statute were all that left TO the men who
were authorized and directed by Congress to see that
the law was observed and that offenders were pun
ishcd.
The four railway commissioners eompie'eu '"'''
scheme OF regulations for better detection and pre-
venton OF tho manipulation By which freight rates
have been cut In the past and which believed TO be
even now used By some roads. The new rules moie
thoroughly systematic methods Of inspection and bil
ing and give greater facilities 10 the detective agencies
81 the associated roads. They viii be uniform IN the
hree great associations east Of the transcontnenta
terrtoJv and that uniformity In itself VIII increase
The difficulties OF cheating and manipulation. Inc
,rcs win not be published until they go 70 the com
NAMES which are affected by them.
A meeting Of the general passenger agents OF tne
trunk lines WIN be held to-day. Little beyond current
routine business Is likely TO come up. En0ris aro
being male however 10 secure the holding OF gen
eral conference OF managers 10 consider the quesuoh
Of The paymsnt OF commissions on passenger ouSness
~, = rrtcrst,te Commerce Commission has ALREADY
taken a public stand this important suoyeet, anu
n Is believed that the present Is an suspicious tiins w
attcpn 10 E,amp out an evil that railroad men haye
been irdulinC for long timo % the detrincht ol Inc
Interests OF Tho passenger who p1ironzes 'ns r.s"
nrccs ~ the roads and The honest railway asent VIZ
sesks 20 help the traffic Of his road only py Ns'a'
opeu methods.