The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-18
NEW TRAFFIC AGREEMENT
Presidents of the Trunk Lines Meet and
Resolve to Establish Pool.
Terrors OF the Interstate Commerce Act, They
Say. Need Not Interfere with Their Plans
Western Roads Also Taking Action.

If earned ont. will end most 81 the warfare
between the companies. The presidents
have agreed that pool, pure and simple,
10 the only solution of the railroad question,
and have opened all the details of the new
compact. This question has hung over the
railroad companies ever since the inter-
etate-commerce act was passed. The es-
tablishment of pool had always been re-
garded as O useless challenge OF the law.
but the situation has become so desperate
that the presidents saw no other way out
or the mIre. The naming of worlds fair
rates was the ostensible object OF the meet
ing. but this question was of minor impor-
tance and was soon settled. 1t was de-
igned to conceal the real purpose OF the
meeting-the establishment of q pool.
President Roberts. chairman OF the
board of presidents. said 1t was clear that
the time had come for the trunk lines TO
work in harmony. He was sure that the
strong lines were ready to make reasonable
concessions that would SATISFY the so-callea
weaker roads If it was simply matter
of the weaker companies not getting
large amount of tonnage, he was ready LOT
the Pennsylvania to guarantee them q
fixed amount. President Depew, OF sne
New York Central. re-echoed this eenti-
said that, of course. pool would De necee-
sary, but the terrors of the law. he Inti-
mated, need not interfere with the plan.
The benefits that will accrue TO all tne
companies" be said. ARE manifest. We
shall all get q fair recompense for hauling
traffic and all antagonism can easily DC re-
moved"
A lengthy discussion then ensued, and the
outcome was that the presidents DECIDED
to leave the adjustment of the percentages
of west-bound competitive tonnage to Com
missioner Goddard, who will use the aver
age that each of the roads carried during
the past three years as basis. As sug-
gested by Messrs. Roberts and Depew. the
Commissioner will allow Q slight adv antage
to the weaker lines. The New York Central
will be allowed from 2S to 80 per cent OF
the competitive west-bound freight: the
Pennsylvania. from IL TO ~, and the Erie
Is per cent. or more. The percentages hav-
ing been allotted, Commissioners Goddard
will adjust the present differentisls so that
the weaker roads may be better able to
hold their own. In case these differentials
should give the small roads more traffic, or
less traffic than they are entitled to, the
Commissioner will be asked to make new
adjustment.
TO enable Commissioner Goddard to suit
all the companies as far as possible an
agreement that has been signed by all the
presidents and authorized representatives
provides that each company shall have
hearing before the Commissioner before he
3
if any company is dissatisfied it may appeal
60 Mr.. Walker as an arbitrator, whose de-
clsion, with Mr.. Goddard's concurrence.
will be final Mr. Walker is chairman of
the Western Traffic Association. and ex-
Interstate commerce Commissioner. East
bound freight traffic will be treated simi-
larry to the t-bound traffic later on.
There Is already pool for distributing pas
senger traffic, but it has been practically
imperative. First and second-cless traffic
are divided by percentages, and at the end
of certain periods adjustment is made by
divertlng immigrant business. The presi-
dents will give orders to have il enforced
ger pool Is not illegal.
The conclusions about worlds far rates
were In accordance with the new agree
ment. On all regular trains at thirty-tive
hours or less between Chicago and New
York present rates will be maintained.
During the exposition on all trains sched-
uled at more than thirty-five hours, 20 per
cent. reduction may be made. Several
roads, like the Baltimore IL Ohio and the
thirty-tive hours for the trip from New
York to Chicago and they will offer q re-
duced rate. 1t should be said, however,
that many cheap excursion trains will be
run st rates to be set By the commissioners.
A dispatch from Kansas City say that the
railroads of the Western States will proba-
bic form traffic pool The lnterstate-com-
merce Commission il said to be endeavor-
1Dk 10 ODthlu tuo opinions Oh INC prominent
officials. traffic men and association chair
men with view to presenting q bill to
Congress amending the interstate CON-
merce law. If the said opinions are favora-
Bile. The railroad officials have
state-commerce Commission to the
effect that the commission il seriously
considering the advisability of recommend
ing to Congress the adoption of an amend
ment to the acknowledgements law pro-
viding for the lsgalizing of pooling traffic
among railroads on condition that proper
report of the same be submitted to the
commission. The latter asks the opinion
of traffic managers, railway managers and
and managers of transportation bureaus
and boards of trade as to the benefits
which could be derived by the Shippers,
who are now working under the disad-
also implies that If the majority of the
answers are favorable an amendment to
the law will be offered ct the next session
Of Congress.
Long and Short Haul Rates
The 1nterstate-commerce Commission
yesterday. In an opinion by Commissioners
Veazey, announced its decision in the
cases brought by the Georgia Railroad
Commission against the Cincinnati, Now
Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway Com pany;
The Louisville 81 Nashville Railway Com
pany and other railroad and steamship
lines. seven cases in all, involving rates for
longer and shorter hau is from Cincinnati and
other Ohio-river points and from New York
and other North Atlantic ports to points in
Southern TERRITORY. The long. and al 0rt.
haul clause of the interstat to- commerce
law il construed by the commission IN the
light of more than five years operation OF
the law, and decisions heretofore rendered
by the commission and tho courts. The
main points decided are as follows
First-The fact of a receivership for a defend
ant carrier subsequent to complaint should not
interfere with the progress OF q proceeding
brought merely for the purpose OF railway regu-
latiOn.
second--The phrase common control. man.
agement or arrangement for continuous Carriage
or shipment" In the first section of the act 10
Interior State traffic carried through by al-rail
or part water and part rail lines. The RECENT
successivey, By two or more carriers for trans.
porfation. of trafic shipped under the through
bills. for continuous carriage over their lines is
assent to q common arrangement for such con
tinuOus carriage or shipment, and previous for
NAL Arrangement between them is no. necessary
TO bring such transportation under the terms OF
the law.
Tbird-The total rate for through carriage over
two or more Ines whether made by the addition
of established locals. OF through and Local
rates. OF upon a less proportionate basis, 10 the
regulating authority. How the rate ia made IL
only material as bearing upon the legality of the
aggregate charge, and how any reduction NAV
be accomplished Is q matter for the carriers "a
determine upon themselves.
Fourth-The second, third and fourth sections
OF the act to regulate commerce are COMPARED
with provisions In English statutes
Fifth-The fourth section OF the act TO re gulate