The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-11
WESTERN TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION.
1t Has Been a Potent Factor in Main
tanning Rates.

1t Has Been q Potent Factor in Main
tanning Rates.
Taken as a whole, the year closing to-day
has been an e%ventful one for the railroads.
At its opening the western roads especially
were engaged in a determined shors to re-
store rates to a paying and steady basis.
For many months prior to that they had
been utterly demoraliZed and reduced to
figures which not merely left ne margin for
dividends, but in sons cases it WAS an
actual source of outlay to the roads to
carry traffic undec them. These conditions
had brought the roads generally to where
they must either agree to restore and
maintain rates or prepare to go into the
hands of receivers. The former and
Wiser course WAS determined on and
an agreement reached regarding rates
which has ever since been observed in Il
way probably that no other railroad agree
ment was ever observed. Throughout the
entire twelve months which come to a close
to-day, there has been less rate cutting, less
f friction and less wasting of revenue than in
any previous twelve months in the history
of the western railroads..
Out of the demorallZed condition OF rates
and the unsatisfactory condition of the
revenues that existed ut the close of 1860,
grew the movement III favor Of the forma-
ton of the Western Traffic Association.
That step had not been carried to COM
pletion when the new year opened. 1t wns
the middle OF JanuaIy before the final action
was taken that rendered IL operative. Tne
restoration OF rates was not duo to ITS or
ganiZation. Thoy had been restored be-
fore the association became an accom-
plished fact. 1t must be admitted. how
ever, that it has probably been n potent
factor in their steady maintenance. 1t
cannot be said that much WAS expected of
the association at the time Of it's organiza-
ton. 1t was generally regarded al a make
shift to tide over the critical condition
that then existed. Many p edictions of its
early dissolution were inaulgad in, and
looking back over its existence with a crit
ical eye it cannot be SAID that it has eff
fected any great things.
The only notable action il has taken was
the discharge of Traffic Manager Leeds, of
the Missouri Pacific, for al unauthorized
and secret reduction of rates on that road.
The firm stand taken by tho advisory board
in regard to the enforcement of the agree
ment in that case probably did more than
any other one cause to prevent 4 repetition
of Traffic Manager Leeds offanse and to
insure the maintenance of rates by other
traffic managers o n other roads. Aside
from that, however, the association seems
to have accomplished very little. 1t APP
pears to have satisfied its founders though,
and the prospects for continuance are now
brighter than they were when it was first
organized.
Another noticeable feature of the situa-
ton at the opening of the year was the
small amount of traffic that was in sight.
Short harvests in many sections of the
country had left most of tho roads, and es-
pecially those running to southwestern
points, without any freight to haul, and the
outlook for them WAS blue in the extreme.
For the next six months of the year their
earnings showed very material reductions
from those of previous years and notwith-
standing the radical c~uttiag down of oper-
ating expenses the net results were OF a
somewhat alarming character. The only
redeeming feature of the situation discern
IDLE was the early promises that
appeared OF abundant harvcsts. Hap
PLY these bright expectations were
more than realized. The earth yielded