New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-17
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
THE NEW TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION.
ITS STATUS AND PLANS DISCUSSED BY CHAIR /,
MAN WALKER.

MAN WALKER.
Chicago, Feb. lG.-Charman tldacc F. Walker TO-
day spoke freely to q representative Of the Railway
Pres, Bureau the present status and plans Tor the
future If the new Western Traffic Association At
his request the questions were put in writing lhcy'
with the answers. were as follows:
oIn what respect, does the Western Traffic AsSoc!a
ton differ from Others How Is It betbrl
A-The Western Traffic Association does not diner IN
substance the Trunk Line Association. TIE Centf
Traffic Association. the southern Railway and Steam mp
and other organizations Of similar nature which
long b IN operation and which have been found IN
dispen>Iblc to the conduct Of railway business In tc
United states Their main objects two. First, tho
establishment and publication Of reasonable rates when
shall Discriminate between competitive producing
points aad competitive markets and second the nnntc
nance without discrimination between shippers ana
without var. The Interstate Commerce law has
made both Of thee principle obligatory Neither is possible
c6rted what Is most requisite IN tho
matter Of railway tariffs Is stability. When once
permanent basis Is fixed manufacturer and shippers know
what expect and do ind the value OF their property
nuctuating throuch beyond their control. IN"
maintenance Of Is duty of the greatest public i'm
portance and objects above stated are the two
leading ends aimed at by railway associations.
The Western Association 1, better than other aSso
Citations Organized In the territory IN TWO
respect, first applying similarity Of methods through
out larger extent OF territory which Is required 10y tIo
fact that the entire territory covered by conditions m'ks
uniformity adjustment indispensable; and second IN
giving broader ana scope 10 plViI VI
arbitration which in play in default OF agreement
between the lines upon disputed points The new agree
inent provides that result reached by arbtGons shall
put operation and remain effective long enough to nave
manifest before the right OF indiyd
ual roads act Independently becomes operative IL L.
provided however that awards MAY BE- reviewed by the Ad-
Board at regular special meetings and also thas
individual lines give ninety days notice notWithslhu
such In all traons under this feature OF the
the rights OF the public and OF shippers noc
sary and largely the Diet nnston OF
the results arrived at The public law as wei a. inc
every imposes upon the companies the duty
in instance establishing rats. Associations
only agency through which this duty be- per-
formed Their object may BE- broadly stated as the erD'
lshmcnt system under which sportaton NAV De
conducted IN conformity with law. incidentally they
also a method the handling OF Joint anc between
different lines different sets OF lines which cMedd
through railway facilities practically the entire United
States every direction without the rcbng and transfers
which would necessary II each line performed simply the
DUTY OF a common upon it, own rails The pubhc
advantages this In respect to both passenger ana esh'
traffic dc not need be- enlarged upon.
Q-What guarantee IS there that the public interests
will not lie damaged
AThe whole plan IS in the public interest ana fof IT,
protection Tho fear has been expressed by persons NOV
familiar with the subject that the formation OF this
association might enable rates unreasonable high 70 b'
imposed This Is simply ridiculous. Railway rates through
United states almost universally subject 70
conditions which railway managers have no control
The great public danger at the present time Is the io'u
reduction IN railway rates % point where efficiency
and safety Of service will lie endangered. and which vi"
prevent the Introduction OF necessary improvements
Q-Is not the Western Traffic Association a tru'tl
Alt Is not a trust. Also II Is not a pool. IL
however should leeaze pooling under proper
supervision and regulation without question IL shouAH
do at once agreements OF that character could ana very
likely would, be formed adjuncts to The eAsuhs "s'co
mcnt.
o-what provision IS made for small lines not members
assocatlonsl
A-Ther protection lies in the fact that the business
which they originate T. Of value TO their connections al o
which have always been ready pay than Literally IN
the divisions Of the rates for opportunity to participate
therein In the territory In question, however 'e a
lines Of this character, all Of which, N case
the membership OF the association i comp'tn a
proposed have immediate connection with one OF |
more OF the association lines sufficient u guar
antec the full preservation % all their rights The e.
adjustment Of just upon competitive tFahc ana NE
maintenance Of such rates when fixed IL distinctly 70 ho
interest OF all the minor lines a. well as OF th'lr snip
pers The membership has been arranged a. 10 gvc
conpeto protection 10 them ALL and there + possibility
OF the plan bearing hardly upon any q them unless pr
chance they may wish to establish irregular and Height
mate methods IN which tie association lines would
be justified IA vigorous action.
Q-Is IL great fl-k 70 replace all existing h-'o'
Citations with experiment.
A.-Nothing Of the SOFT &, contemplated IL IS *.
poctcd that. when small number Of lines y't Outside
join Us Membership. the existing associations VIII
formally become divisions u the Western Trlic A''oeIa'
ton but the change will D. rather Of than Of
substance present tine the sitting associations
arc bong conducted ubordnatlon the general prn-
cples Of Tranc Association, far mrin'
bcr Of the latter organization concerned II az
vantages perceived result from ~, workings. there
4, every probability that all line, necessary 10 IT. com.
plete success will soon join IL, mcmb, rship