The Indianapolis journal., 1891-04-03
THE COMMISSION QUESTION
ills Stilla Disturbing Factor in Railroad
Circles and Nay Continue to BE So.
February Payments by Western Lines Now
Matter Of Dispute Position of the Bur-
hngton-NO Changes on the MOnon.

A special meeting of the general passen-
ger agents of the Western lines terminal
lng sc Chicago was held there yesterday to
consider the commission question in the
light of the recent action of the Eastern
lines on that subject. Vice-chairman DON
aid, of the Central Traffic Association. was
invited to attend. but took no part in the
discussion. The Burlington and the Wis
consin Central wese not represented, as
they were supposed 10 be undergoing disci-
pline from the Eastern lines for paying
commissions in forbidde territory during
February, and thereto To were not notified
of the conference. The Chicago 81 Alton.
with its usual caution, lseld aloof from the
meeting The subject nder consideration
was, "Vhat action will the Eastern
lines take with refere nee to the pro-
lection of those Western roads which
have thus far Obeyed the squests of Chair
man Goddard and blanchard not to pay
February commissions In Irunk-line and
Central Traffic Association territoryP
MT. Donald sent telegram to Chairman
Goddard asking for general Information as
TO the present situation. No reply was
ceived from Mr.. Goddard uring the day,
and the meeting adjourned without action
until to-day. Should the answer not
from guaranteeing reasonable protection
for the roads that have ObeyetI the order to
discontinue paying commlsslo Us TO Eastern
agents-there is little doubt that all the
Western lines will pay up the5r back COM
missions and continue to pay them in the
future.
The Burlington people were apparently
surprised ut being ignored IN the call for
the meeting. General Passenger Agent
Eustis said: 81 was not invite to attend.
Ii is rnmored that the other w estern roads
have formed Ombination to force us into
compliance with the Trunk-liDe and Cen
tral Traffic Association demands. but do
not think any such movement VIII succeed.
IL will do them no good to hold
secret meetings expecting to compel rs
TO abolish commissions. This, like all
other questions of competi ton, should be
openly and fairly discussed. / am positive
that our competitors cannot force us into
any unfortunate position at this time on
the commission question. because to do so
they would require the assistance of East
ern roads. and am sure the association Of
ticers comprising the board of rulIngs DO
not intend to deal with us in any under
handed manner. They cannot afford 60.
Our discussion of their demand, and the
present situation Is still open, and we can
rely upon these chalrmen and the Eastern
roads, Jointly and severaily, to treat us
fairly. They will not join our scheming
competitors in taking any snap Judgment
upon US at all"
1t would appear from Mr.. tis'srsmarks
that he believes the other Western roads to
be in favor of abolishing commissions. On
the other hand the representatives of those
roads profess to believe that the alleged ac-
tlon of the Burlington and the Wisconsin
Central in paying commissions for February
Is for the purpose of forcing q positive issue
with the Eastern lines and destroying all
chances of commission payments being re-
sumed. 1t is evident that all the Western
roads are anxious 20 keep in the good graces
<.f NhsL Lno 10 1..Ex, nlx
settled whether commissions arc TO be
abolished or not
Col Horace Scott's Railroad Career.
Col. Horace Scott, railroad man who
has recently retired on his well-earned
laurels, last evening, In conversation, re-
marked to some friends that tomorrow it
would be forty-four years since he entered
railroad service. He commenced as a
switehman April 3, 1S47, at Springfield. on
the Connecticut River road. at S25 per
month. In August he was made q brake
man on the same road at the same wages
and in November he was appointed bag
gagemaster. at $50 month: in 1s49 he ac-
cepted the position OF ticket agent at
Springfield, Mass. at $50 per month; In 1853
he was made passenger conductor at $50
per month; in 1854 be was appointed super
intendent of the Falrhaven road, now q
part of the Old Colony road. at a salary of
$1,000 year; May ]. 1868, he came West.
and accepted the position OF superinteud-
ent of the Jetfersonville, Madison IL Indi-
annapolis road, which he held until 1873
While superintendent of the j.. Nj. q L.
he was largely instrumental IN selling the
road to the Pennsylvania Company. Since
retiring from that position he has projected
and pushed to completion several roads,
one of them the Belt road at Indianapolis.
No Changes on the L., N. A. & C.
General Manager Black. of the LOUIS
vile, New Albany K Chicago. has received
telegram from Samuel Thomas. the new
president of the road, saying; You will
make no change IN the operations of the
road under your charge. You may assure
your connecting lines OF this policy" That
President Thomas should take pains to tel
egraph General Manager Black from New
York TO the effect that the road would con-
tinue to be operated under its present man.
agement is n matter over which there was
much favorable comment IN railroad circles
yesterday In this connection it is proper
TO state that Mr.. Thomas. when in Indian
apolis, two weeks ago. assured q represent
ative of the Journal that Mr. Black would
be continued as general manager, so ex-
cellent bad been his record the twelve
months he had held the position.
VIII Mackey Sell TO the Big Four?
G. p. Huntington and President Mackey
yesterday went to Terre Haute from
Evansville in the formers private car and
were closeted with President McKeen. of
the Vandalia. There is much speculation
as TO the cause of their visit there. but no
definite information could be obtained. A
gentleman who is well acquainted with
Mr.. Mackey and his railroad deals says he
would not be surprised if Dir. Mackey sold
out his interests to the Big Four system
Personal. Local and General Notes.
c. p. Huntington was in Evansville yes
terday for conference with President
Mackey.
w. +. Drummer. district passenger agent
of the Pennsylvania and Vandalia. is 90 far
recovered from his recent illness as TO be at
his post again.
The Jacksonville Southeastern road is
now n member of the Western Passenger
Association, having signed the agreement
on Wednesday.
5. B. Liggett, secretary of the Pennsyl-
vania Company, Is in the West looking
after some important matters in which the
company is interested.
The receiver of the kentucky Central
road has appointed j. NJ. Phillips. formerly
a passenger conductor on the j., III. * /.
road. superintendent of the X. &.
George +. Harrington, secretary of the
Terre Haute * Indianapolis road. IL In
Washington, ID. C.. in attendance on Cap
Tain I.awa w hn ia aarinualy i'll m that city