New-York tribune., 1892-01-10
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
THE wEcTrYy TRAFFIC. ASSOCIATION.
INTEREST IN ITS COMING MEFuNG-THE slIUA-
TON REGARDED CRITICAL.

INTEREST IN ITS COMING MEtUNG-THL IIOA-
rIoN REGARDED CRITICAL
Chicago, jan o (SpcclaD-strong interest is being
centred in the annual meeting of the Ahvls"Iy
Board OF the Western Traffic Association at
New-Yori next Tuesday. The members OF 'hl'
organization divided questions that threaten
its existence. Consequently predictions as to
what the future will bring forth are freely
made. II Is no secret that some OF Inc western
presidents going 20 New York prepared ana deter
mined to make the strongest kind Of a fight against
their connection with the association. As II now
stands matters have reached point where important
changes are demanded complete reorganization is
proposed. The trouble grows out OF having too many
hgh-saaried chairmen.
"One association, instead OF six and with "A man
Of ability md good judgment at the head of it, II
prominent general manager said this morning, Is
what We waat. There is entirely too much conflict
OF authority now II has generally been understood
that the Western Passenger the Western Freight the
Trans Missouri the Transconnental and southwestern
Railway and Steamship associations were auxiliary TO
the Western Traffic Association. but Chairman Finley
OF the Western Passenger says differently Much to our
surprise. he informs that he doe not recognize the
Western Tralc that he works entirely independent
of that and is under no obligations to It,
This poilt must be settled lie undoubtedly base, his
opinion on the fact that the Chicago II. Paul and
Kansas City road Is not member Of the western
Traffic Association, and proposes 10 force 1t into JON
ing Withdrawing from the Western Passenger
The situation Is so critical as TO cause considerable
uneaness on the part of those whose position depends
on keeping up the seXet combination. Chairman
Walker whose $4,000 salary IS endangered. and Com
missioner Midgley went to New-York several days
Roswell Miller president OF the advisory board, Will
start tomorrow President Cable of the Rock Island.
stared today Presidents Manvel. Hughitt ard Per-
kns viii accompany President Miller. The latter Is
quoted saying that he has no dc,re 70 erve another
farm
candidate for the place. The Commissioners
anxious. II consolidation fails. II Is under
stood that there will be strong opposition To the re
election Of Chairman Finley and Chairman smith
While their ability has never been questioned thcy are
charged with being prcjudced and unfair toward Ger
tain lines.
Few OF the Western magnates have reached
the city yet. but by tomorrow there probably
will be numerous arrivals. The brought by
wire from Chicago that 81" The Chicago Tribune was
predicting that the conference would end in an aban
donment OF the association When Samuel spencer.
with Drexcl Morgan & 90. who Is one Of the repre-
sentatives Of the Chicago Milwaukee, and St Paul on
the Advisory Board, asked about the report, he
expressed the utmost kurprisa.
IL do not believe there Is any foundation for such
statement he said. q do not know Of any QurN-
tion before the meeting which could lead 10
such q result. or course association like this can
conduct It's operations without friction, but there has
never been ap instance since Its establishment when
the decisions OF the Advisory Board not accepted
The association, II is generally recognized has saved
great deal of money for the railroads, and unquS
tionsbly ths relations between the roads are more
harmonious than they six months ago. The
situation has been improved By the large traffic OF
the roads. but leaving that out II Is fact that the
roads have found the association 10 be source oi
strength and benefit
Among sbe topics to be discussed at Tuesdays con
ference is the question Of the abolition OF outside
agencies. The commissioners Of the association have
been ntrustcd with the preparation ~ plan but II
Is Impossible 10 foreshadOw their report or tho action
that the Advisory Board may take. There doubtless
will he consideration OF questions of appeal from The
decision OF the commissioners but there j. no ground
for expecting any serious differences in tho Advisory
Board.