The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-09-19
The Best agreement Since the Inter-.
State Commerce Law Went
Into Effect ]
Something About the Inside
Workings OF the Railroad
Tramc Arrangement.
Fest bound Freight Rates From Chicago
Are to No Advanced After
October 10. 0
An Official Of ono Of tho western roads

An oH'cl6l OF ont OF the Woat0rn ROADS
says;
"The Western Freight association il tho
only traffic association west OF Chicago
that seems to have any staying qualities
land il 10 ono Of the sasiost 10 get ont OF,
requiring only ten days notice.. The rsa-
son Tor thisi II that II comprises all ines in
interest. The agreement places all lines on
an equality. and the chairman makes every
effort to preserve the revenues of tho lines
and to protect them against themselvs
and outsiders. He does not always succeed,
but IL is no fault OF his.
"Ths Western Freight association 10 the
best agreement that lines west Of Chicago
have had since tho interstate law went into
effect. Certain sections should be amended
and . pooling CLAUSE added. Then the
other high and expensive associations
should be abandoned. In 1889 the prssi-
dents formed what was known Is the
G~entlemen's Agreement There were
enough lines that did not join this associa.
ton to make il imperative. and after the
second or third meeting it fell by tho way
side. the chairman and secretary being all
that was left.
In January, 1891, the presidents and di-
re0tors formed an association known al the
Western Traffic association. About half Of
the lines west of Chicago joined this asso-
ton. The only good result from this asso-
citation. formed as it was, was to brace up
the stock market. The agreement was 4
good one. provided all lines in interest
Joined IL. or il lines members OF the West
ern Trafic association had Withdrawn from
oil other associations. but neither was done.
Consequently it has failed, and rates BY
some lines are probably in worse condition
than they have bssn sine the spring of 1887.
before the interstate law vent inSo effect.
This ie not entirely the fault of the traffic
official or the Western Traffic association.
The traffic official will obey his instructions
II his superior officer tells him that in no
way must he vary from the agreement. II
ne il told by his superior that his position
depends upon the amount Of tonnage he
secures for his road. he should not Be-
blamed II he acts in violation of the agree
msnt. The rules of the Western Traffic as
formerly known as tie Big Six but now as
the High Five. one having %resiRned). would
neutralize such bad faith on the part of
members II diversions should be promptly
ordered. The commissioned have by their
lnaotlon allowed tariffs to Colorado to be
oNuooA 20 poE Cout ON 6ll west. bound
traffic and the rate on bullion from Colo
RADIO to the Missouri river from So per ton
to ~ per ton. These reductions. directly
and indirectly, will amount to nearly So.
100000 per year. Prompt diversion orders
might have prevented these reductions.
The commissioners knew of the Irregular
ties several months before the reductions
were made by tariffs. The commissioners
know that to-day and for the last year two
or three lines have carried the bulk of the
freight to the Missouri river
and beyond. One line has carried
nearly GO per cent of all the iron
nails and wire that have gone to the Mis-
souri, river. Another about the same pro.
portion of the sugar and canned goods.
Colorado rates are about in the same condi-
ton they were before the Rock Island tariff
pat in effect. and are getting worse
every day. The freight man is blamed:
still he is not responsible. As stated above
they obey their instructions. What Is
wanted by the freight man is q longtime
money pool; then his position will not de-.
pend upon the amount Of tonnage he &C.
oures, and it will havo to come to this be- |
fore there will be much stability to rates.
The parties to be blamed for the loss Of
revenue must be tho ones that have the
to make n unmake agreements.
and that have it in their power to have
them maintained 90 far as their own lines
are concerned"