The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-12
THE RATE SITUATION
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES OF EAST
ERN ROADS TAKE NO ACTION.
Move by the baltimore & Ohio That
May Cause Decentralization In
Passengers Business.

There was meeting yesterday of the rep
resentatives of the Eastern lines doing
business in this city to talk over the rate
situation. The Big Four, the Pennsylvania,
the Monon, the Lake Erie & Western and
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton We're
represented. Several hours spent in
discussing the situation. Each representa-
tive was suspicious that the others were
shading rates, but no one claimed that he
could prove such was the case. BY tele-
graphing to Peoria and st. Louis it was
learned that at neither of those points had
the Eastern lines taken any action looking
TO restoration of rates, consequently the
Indianapolis representatives of the Eastern
lines deferred definite action, hoping that the
meeting of the Central Traffic Association
at Chicago to-day might give a different
look to things. Reports from Chicago showed
that east-bound rates for the last four days
nave been maintained by each of the ten
lines. This Improvement comes just in time
TO prevent a collapse of the east-bound rate
business QUIT of Chicago was increased
through the break in rates 40 per cent. at
cent. but at Indianapoiis the shadin s 9 did
not drop to g. point which larg ely increased
shipments unless of provisions. A Chicago
paper says: This improvement is trace
able directly to the presidents, who had
their hands on the pulse of the situation,
and saw heroic treatment must be admins
tered at once. Orders to restrict cut-rate
deals were issued Wednesday to the indi-
yidual freight officials. Thursday, for the
worse. Friday and Saturday there was de-
cided 1mpr1yement. 20 tar as as known the
vidual orders We're as effective. They will
hesitate long before going on record pub
licly again in such hopaiess failure as the
Cleveland agreement. 1t requires rate
expert to figure that net earnings at tariff
rates and normal shipments will be largely
increased. 1t also requires no financier to
prove that net earnings are more positively
essential now than at any time in the his
tory OF Eastern roads"
Important Step Taken by the ID. & 0.
The Journal has excellent authority for
stating that last evening the Baltimore &
Ohio Southwestern gave a fifteen days mo-
tice to the trunk lines of it's withdrawal
from the presidents trunk line agreement.
1t is stated that under the conditions of the
presidents agreement it cannot secure it's
share of business from St. Louis and other
Western points. This means, doubtless,
further decentralization of passenger rates.
dispatch from Cincinnati says: Vice
President and General Manager w. w.
Peabody, of the Baltimore & Ohio South
western railway, confirms the announce
ment of Traffic Manager Duncan that the
regular fifteen days notice had been given
for the withdrawal of that road from the
agreement Of Jan. for the maintenance of
passenger rates. Captain Peabody declined
to give the reasons for the withdrawal
Commissioner j. r. Goddard, of the Trunk
Line Association, in New York, and Com
missioner mis-, per- g. Blanchard, Of the Cen.
after they advised good and suffi-
Gent reasons would be. assigned showing
what roads We're violating the agreement
that his road had in good faith entered
into and maintained this year. local
General Traffic Manager Duncan says
the b. g. 0. southwestern adhered with
the most scrupulous fidelity to its com
maintain rates in the territory of the
Trunk Line and Central Traffic Associa-
ton. Mr.. Duncan declines to name his
competitor that has been cutting rates,
but he says that competitor is one OF
the most important lines in the Presidents
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern will
Immediately take step5 to protect it's own
Association unorganized after an almost
continuous session of its committee since
last November and with the Ohio River
Traffic Association in the throes of dis
solution and at the same time big row
fhe mono over sp eae AMY aa
present added calamity in the Presidents
Association, it looks as if passenger off,
Gals had money to throw to the birds
Important Air-Brake Decision.
Judge Morris. of the United States Dis
trice Court at Baltimore, handed down his
long-looked-for decision, yesterday in the
Company, Of Pittsburg. against the Boyden
Power Brake Company, of Baltimore. The
suit was brought to secure order re-
straining the Boyden company from an al
legged infringement OF a patent for quick
action airbrakes. Judge Morris decides in
favor of the Westinghouse company, except
in some minor details A vast amount Of
money is said to be involved in this suit.
The Boyden company is understood TO have
spent over a quarter of a million dollars
fin developing its brake. which Is used on
some fifty or sixty railroads.
Enst-H0und Shipments.
East-bound shipments from Chicago, last
week, amounted to 5s2t tons, against 5s.ssS
for the preceding week and S6,s55 for the
corresponding week Of last year. The roads
carried tonnage as follows: Michigan Gem
trail sG7s; Wabash. 4.42s; Lake shore, s.1s2;
Fort Wayne, s,243; Panhandle 4,45s; Baltfs
more q Ohio 6S7; Grand Trunk, 1855
NiekeI-plate. 1855; Erie, .5972; Big Four.
~ Shipments were made up 3f the fol-
lowing articles: Flour. 6.498 TONS; grain and
mil sfuffs z2 81 tons: provisions. lard ETC.,