New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-22


TAKEN TO KEEP RATES UNIFoEM-woRLD's
FAIR PASSENGER SERVICE DISCUSSED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrSEl
Philadelphia, Nov. 2l-rresdent George b.
Roberts, Of the Pennsylvania Railroad, chairman or
the meeting of railroad presidents last week in New.
York, talked to-day Oh the questions decided at
the meeting. The railroad representatives entered
into agreements the object of which will be to
put an end to disastrous rae-cutting, and will
practically restore the trunk-line pool, devoid Of
the Objectionable features existing before the pool
was dissolved by the Interstate Commerce law.
1t was Mr. RObertss first expression of his views
for the public lie said that a brief interviews
credited TO him by a New-Yorl. newspaper had
never taken place.
There is no general pool intended" said Mr..
Roberts in the sense of what obtained previous
to the enactment of the Interstate Commerce law,
but rather the Placing in the hands OF the chair
men of the Central Traffic Association and the
Trunk Line Association, and Mr. Aldace Z. Walker,
of the late Western Traffic Association the rate
making power, in order TO adjust the rates upon
the various competitive lines in the trunk-line
territory will give TO each line what they, in
their Judgment, believe 70 be proper proportion
Of such traffic. This is done with the hope that
it il not in conflict with the law, and will prevent
the great decentralization Of rates that has existed
during the past year, and which promotes to q
much greater extent than any pooling system pos
sbly can the discrimination between communities
and individuals by the railroad interests in their
efforts to get the best rates possible out of the
sum total Of their traffic, and which is SO de-
structive Of the general prosperity of individuals.
cOmmuntie, and railroads.
The above expressions Mr.. Roberts applied to
the question rs il Affected the rates freight.
When asked his views upon the action Of the
meeting on the passenger rates 10 and from
Chicago, he said:
The railroad companies find that the number
Of fast passenger trains they are now running,
and which are well filed with passengers, are
fully az many train, as they run at such high
rates of speel with reasonable certainty of being
on schedule time and which viii not unnecessarily
interfere with the proper movement of the freight
traffic. Any material increase Of such hgh-speed
trains would be attended with serious interference
of the ordinary traffic business of their lines, and
thus do great violence 10 the general interest OF
the country. But 10 meet the wants Of the public
they agreed to run special trains at fair rates Of
speed and at q reasonable deduction of rate lcav-
ing the subject of the arrangement for what may
be known as special excursion trains to be taken
up by the joint passenger committees of the
lines interested and fixed in such a way as will
afford 10 the entire public an opportunity OF
reaching the Exposition in a reasonably salts
factory way. The representatives Of the various
railway Interests Of the country. who are merely
the trustees for the shareholders far as direct
money interests are concerned while bearing fully
in mind the claims of thc public upon them TO
offer every possible opportunity OF a general at
tendance TO the Fair. did not believe that they
were warra nted in making any lower rates, espe.
cialy in view OF tn" above facts They stated
that they had no intimation from any source what
ever that any parties seriously entertained the
subject of reducing the other expenditures which
tha public would be subjected to in visiting the
Worlds Fair.