New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-25
THE PROBLEM OF RATES.
RAILWAY MEN THINK THEY ARE NEAR A
SOLUTION.
A HARD DAYS WORK AT MANHATTAN BEACH.
WHICH. 1T is HOPED. WILL BE RATIFIED AT
A COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE
HELD TO-DAY.


The railroad magnates at the Oriental Hotel.
Manhattan Beach. adjourned last night after.
to them an eminently satisfactory days work.
to meet to-day at the Trunk Line Associations
offices in Liberty-st., this city. thereto ratify
as far as possible scheme which Is practi-
cay complete for an ironclad maintenance Of
tariff rates for passenger and freight traffic
over the lines represented at the conference
which comprises all the important lines east OF
the Mississippi and north Of the Ohio.
Yesterday n day Of harder work than
the officials have been IN the habit OF doing
committee vas appointed to consider the
subject and report as soon as possible. The
committee met at o'clock behind closed doors
and did not adjourn I'LL IL o'clock. The commit
tee was made up o. the following: Orlando
Smith Baltimore and Ohio; w. II. Joyce and ID.
S. Gray. Pennsylvania; J. G.. Garrett Lehigh
Valley: F.. b. Thoma; and G. c. Cochran. New
York. Lake Erie and Western o. G. Murray,
Chesapeake and Ohio; H. j. Hayden. New York
Central: A. Fell, Delaware. Lackawanna and
Western; l.. J. Seargeant. Grand Trunk c. n.
Hays. Wabash: G ]. Grammer. Lake Shore;
William Duncan, Baltimore and Ohio South
western: G. B. Reeve. Chicago and Grand
Trunk George h. Blanchard. Commissioner
Central Traffic Association. and ]. l.. Goddard,
Commissioner Trunk Liie Association
After a three-hour session, during which near
ly every one present fire, expressed his views.
the following Working Committee was appoint
ed: Oscar g. Murray. vice-president Of the big
Four" and representing the Chesapeake and
Ohio; f. B. Thomas. president of the NewYork.
Lake Erie and Western: William Duncan. of the
Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern: d. s. Gray,
agent Of the Pennsylvania lines west of Pitts
burg; Charles NJ. Hays. vice-president and gem
eral manager Of the Wabash; G.. F. Goddard Of
the Trunk Line and George r. Blanchard, Of
the Central Traffic associations. This commit
tee. which is intrusted with the formulation OF
the governing commission. went into ex-
ecutive session at o'clock, and wrestled with
the rate question until nearly 7 o'clock. and
when they adjourned to report to the main COM
mttce to-day at o'clock they had agreed upon
the formation Of a commission which only
needs ratification to place freight and passenger
rates on firmcr basis than they have ever had.
RAILROAD MEN RETICENT.
As usual it was impossible u learn exactly
what the salient features Of the new arrange
ment are The Working Committee authorized
no statement for publication + H. Hoyt OF the
Trunk Line Association who acted as secretary.
said to a Tribune reporter after adjournment
The Working Committee made satisfactory
progress and will have a report to submit 70 the
main committee tomorrow that will no doubt
be approved. The companies are nearer solu-
tion OF the vexed problem OF rates and their
maintenance than they have ever been. There Is
a universal feeling that something must he done.
II s simply question Of necessity, and no doubt
| to-days deliberations will result In something
| satsia tory
Does the Working Committee believe that Its
| plan will he permanent. and that II will do away
with the alleged evils OF the present system! MI
| Hoyt asked
THAT Is exactly what they do believe" said he.
That Is why SO much time Is being given 10 per-
feet a plan OF course this IL a matter that cam
be settled In all its details In week. or perhaps
| in A month but II Is hoped 10 have the plan In
working order by the middle Of september or the
first OF October.
"Will 1t DO away with the trunk line associa-
tons"
We'll" said Mr. Hoyt with some hesitation,
the plan Is IN somewhat Of an embryonic state.
but think can safely say that II vii! not do
away with the trunk line associations.
PRESIDENT THOMAs'S STATEMENT.
President f. r. Thomas Of the New-York. Lake
Erie and Western was seen for minute.
There is a better prospect of plan that Will
| permanently maintain rates than there has ever
baen before" said he We made good headway
| this afternoon and the outlook is gratifying.
Asked specifically what the object Of the meet
| Ing was and what in a nutshell. was aimed at
| Commissioner Goddard. Of the Trunk Line Asso-
citation, said:
The presidents Of the trunk lines ana their
connections have concluded 70 put into the nands
OF the executive officers for their consideration
plan looking toward the formation OF an agree
mont or legal contract for the maintenance OF
freight and passenger rates In the JOINT territory
Of the Trunk Line and Central Traffic associa-