New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-06
A TENTATIVE FREIGHT AGREEMENT.
RECOMMENDATIONS on EASTBOyND TRAFFIC
FOR HIGHER. OFFICERS To ACT UPON
DENIAL THAT ILLEGAL. POOL


The conference between the freight officers Of
the railroads doing business in the territory Of the
Trunk Line and the Central Traffic associations
finished yesterday after session OF three days
The object was 10 devise an agreement by when
stability could be given to castbound freight rates
A series of recommendations was prepared for sub
mission TO the higher officers OF the several com
panies who will probably meet to take dehnit" ac-
ton within the two weeks
The plan which IL proposed for the government OF
castbound traffic is modelled upon that which has
been in operation on westbound traffic for the las;
few years 1t contemplates an equitable disiribu-
ton of tonnage among the lines leading eastward
from Chicago. 81. Louis and other Western com
petitive points. Only by some arrangement which
secures fair proportion OF the total trahc 10 each
company 1t be expected that tariff rates VIII
be maintained. 1t Is provided by the proposed
scheme that percentages shall be allotted. based
upon the current OF traffic for some recent period
The results OF the last year are likely 10 De taken
as a fair basis for determining the proper share
of each line. although this point Is by no means
agreed upon Arbitration by the commissioners OF
the railroad associations is Of course provided FOR
in settling disputes.
The means for securing an actual distribution OF
traffic in accordance with the proportions agreed
upon as equitable will not be fully determined until
the highest officers Of the roads act Owing to the
Interstate Commerce law. pooling agreement.
with money penalties upon the roads which carry
than their allotted percentage can De a!opuei'
But II is possible to preserve the agreed distribl-
ton OF traffic by OF two methods. namely 10
allow "diferentar' or lower rates TO lines tha,
fall behind their allotted proportions or 10 permit
the commissioners OF the association TO Temporarily
divert traffic at times from one road 10 an3ther I'm III
order preserve the agreed-upon distribution IN"
latter system has been praciiseI under soinc o ne
Western railroad agreement Inc oDJec.ion 70 !. ~
that II a road refuses to obey the direction OF me
commissioner its rivals have no means ans on com m
there s an immense proportion OF freight uncoh-
signed any particular route which can De
turned from one road TO another. as Is drHirrd
The provision OF d!herental rates now governs me
vest-ioun1 freight agreement OF the trunk hnes
Ii is objected mainly because. n ROAD. no mater
i'm the solicitation OF business. the quotation OK
lower rate by rival route. even tn9sh that ~,
IS admittedly deficient In respect or hahd'ihg U"'-
tic promptly and efficiently.
Commissoner Goddard Of the Trunk Line A.
socntion yesterday declared WIN enphas,S 'na ma,
the rate agreement under consideration dld n,t
conflict with the Interstate Commerce law. lie
asserted that the rOads had no intention. az nll
been reputed TO cast the law 10 me VIM. ,i az
prob,e Of controlling rates would be comparatively
easv FOR the roads 70 solve II they were allowed 10
form money pools and settle balances In cash w"'n
one line exceeded It's percentage az the expfn.e 81
another But It IL not proposed 10 attempt -
evade the National law. bitterly as IS compliance
against. and the proposed eastbonnd agreement -
founded upon the same principles as those whch
have governed the Trunk Line westhound agree
rnent T. which the Interstate Commerce Commission
took exception Ill.,,
agreement on the part Of the Trunk in" ana Cen.
trail Traffic assoc atoms 70 enter into r% poo
Interstate Commerce law Chauncey NJ. D"p"w
said. 1.-THE Trunk lines have entered into no lool-
ing agreement other than they were aaEisrI ny
counsel that they could lawfully 90 under me Iner
s,ate Commerce act The trunk line presidents
held n meeting last Friday with view TO strength
ening rates and restoring them. ana proVIdng some
,nea ns for doing but they specially resolved tha
thev would do nothing In violation OF the Interstate
Commerce Jaw.