New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-08
STIRLING AT THE ALTON.
THEwAR AGAINST COMMISSIONS.

.onp ACTON OF THE BOARD OF RULINGS OF
THE E.sTERN AND WESTERN RAILROADS
The Bard of Rulings, created by the Joint
committee of the Trunk Lines and the Central
q,aaic Association for the purpose of enforcing
.hs agreement for the abolition of the payment of
eommissbls on passenger business, has made its
crst boll movement TO cecure the determination
- the evil The Board consists of Chairman
F. Goddard, of the Trunk Line Association;
Chairman George r. Blanchard. of the Central
Tr.fic Association; Leslie p. Farmer. passenger
commissioner of the trunk lines, and Vice-Chair-
man F. c. Donald, of the Central Traffic Associa-
ton 1t was vested by the roads with full au-
,bority to execute the agreement, and only
eomparativey few lines in the territory between
the Missouri River and the Atlantic Coast de-
cined to accept the agreement. Mr.. blanchard
has been il the city for more than week on
business connected with the joint committee, and
no has devoted a large part of his time to con-
sultations With Mr.. Goddard and Mr.. Farmer
respecting the enforcement of the provisions
against commissions.
The road singled out for the exercise Of the
disciplinary authority of the Board of Rulings is
the Chicago and Alton, company which has long
nractised snd defended the custom Of allowing
commissions to agents for the procuring OF
passenger business The Alton has opposed every
effort mad, in the past by the other roads TO get
rid of the abuses growing out of commission-pay-
ing. and L has taken defiant attitude with ne
gard to tae last effort at reform But never be-
fore bay, the combined roads been so thoroughly
united N their purposes, and the present agree
ment is the strongest that was ever devised for
the purpose of bringing recalcitrant roads to
terms The purport of the official documents
printed below is that after April 10 the Chicago
and Alton will be unable to sell through tickets
or check through baggage over any OF the lines
which have subscribed TO the agreement against
commissions. Passengers by the Alton VIII ne
eompelled to recheck their baggage when they
take the train on connecting road, and VIII be
compelled to buy their tickets for the distance
not covered by the Atoms own route. This
interruption of facilities for handling through
traffic is expected to work so dsadvantageously TO
the Alton that it will abandon its policy of foster
inc the commission evil. The only retaliation left
n the Alton will be resort to the cutting OF
rates. but the Board of Rulings has power to
adopt rates so as TO offset this The following IS
the telegraphic notice sent yesterday TO Z. IL.
Chappell, general passenger agent of the Chicago
and Alton at Chicago:
Your company having failed and declined to con
form TO the conditions which 1t has been advised the
IN he observed the conduct of Joint passenger tc
Won are hereby notified pursuant to the powers ana
authority conferred upon the undersigned that the
FORMER agency and authority of your company TO sell
tickets eaStwardly over said joint commltee nhes Is
cancelled and that and after Wednesday, April 10,
ali tickets of all classes, and baggage checks, sold ana
iSsued bv your lines by other lines eastwardly over
your road which tickets and baggage checks pass over
Joint committee lines will be declined for persons ana
baggage rendered by your company to our lines until
you are otherwise notified.
on the same date the sale or acceptance OF tickets
and the issue of baggage checks reading over your
lines westwary will be discontinued by JOINT COM
mttee lines. . - ~, .,.o l., 4ho ,or,o
NJ the asserting companies, and you Will please con-
slider this as conclusive on their behalf 49,, -
We regret that this course has been rendered nee
essary and shall gladly rescind this action at any
time Won will advise of your concurrence WIN te
foquA ''iN-' - J. F. GODDARD,
G.. Il. BLANCHARD,
L. p. FARMER,
F. G.. DONALD,
Committee.
Pursuant thereto 1t is hereby ruled and ordered tha'
all the asserting lines give their agents ana con
dnctors all orders necessary to give prompt anu UNI
form effect the date named and 1qrhsh At
ths same in duplicate, each to the chairlhah az
Nsw-York and the chairman at Chicago.
'o"-i0 W = r GODDARD. Chairman.
.-, r....- q r. BLANCHARD, veterinarian