Omaha daily bee., 1892-11-18
THEY WILL DEFY Tue LAW
Trunk Lines Have Entered on an Agree
ment Which Will End Their Warfare.
SOLUTION OF THE RAILROAD QUESTION
Freight and Passenger Traffic to Be Com
troiled by Pool OF All the Roads
Details Of the Agreement with
Western Roads.

NEW YoRK. Nov. l1.-Presideuts of the
trunk lines nave entered into an agreement,
which, if carried out wilt enu most of the
warfare between companies. They have
agreed that pool, pure and simple is the
only solution of the railroad question, aud
have outlined all the details OF tue new com
pact. The establishment Of pool had
always been regarded as useless challenge
oil the Interstate commerce law, but the sit
uation has become so desperate that the
presidents saw no other way out OF the mire
The seriousness of the situation brought
together an unusually large attendance. The
naming of the Worlds fair rates was the
ostensible object of this meeting, but that
was designed TO conceal the real purpose of
the meeting namely, the cstabls shment oil a
pool.
President Roberts, chairman of the board
Oi presidents, said that 1t was clear that the
timc had come for all trunk lines TO act in
harmony. He was sure that the strong lines
were ready to make any reasonable conces-
- sions that would satisfy the so-called weaker
$ roads. If IL was simply matter OF weaker
companies getting certain amount OF
tonnage. he was ready TO guarantee them u
fixed amount.
President Depew of the New York Central
re-echOed this sentiment.
Mr.. Roberts said the terrors of law need
not Interfere Win IuC pan. mo ucneutS
that Will accrue To all the companies he
said, ARE manifesto. We shall get fair
recompense for hauling traffic and all antag-
onsm can easily be removed.
"A lengthy discussion ensued ana the out
come was that they decided to leave the ad-
1ustueut OF percentages OF westbound com
paratve tonnage TO Commissioner Goddard,
who Will use the average that each had car
rlcd for lhc past three years as basis
As suggested by President Roberts and
Depcw, the commissioner will allow a slight
advantage to the weaker lines. Egch company
shall have hearing before the coinmls-
siorcr before he fixes the percentages. After
the allotment, if any company is dissatisfied,
il may appeal 10 Mr.. A. f.. Walker as an ar
biirator, whose decision, with Mr. Goddard'S
concurrence Will be final. MIR. Walker is
chairman of the Western Traffic association
and ex x-interstate commerce commissioner.
Eastbound freight traffic will be treatc
similarly to the westbound traffic later on
There is already plan for distribution oil
passenger traffic, but it has been practically
imperative. The presidents will give orders
TO have it enforced to the letter 1t Is
claimed that passenger Dool is not illegal.
The conclusions about Worlds fair rates
were In accordance with the now agreement.
On all regular trains scheduled at thirty
five hours or less between Chicago aud New
York present rates will be maintained. On
nli trans scheduled at more than thirty five
hours 30 per cent reduction may DO made.
Several OF the railroads require more than
thirly.ii hours for the "Trip from New
York TO Chicago and they will offer re-
duced rate 1t should be said however, that
many cheap excursion trains will be run
at rates 20 be set by the commissioners
resolution passed declaring that
both east and west-hound freight rates be
tween New York and Chicago shall he re-
stored to the basis of - cents per 100 pounds
first class on December l.