Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-10
NORFOLK AND WESTERN II. II.
slight Misunderstanding With JOINT
Trafic Association.
philadelphia Press, 9th.)

Q'niladelpnld IiesS, SiiiJ
Since the courts have decided that the
Joint Traffic Association was legal
body. and that 1t was doing nothing con-
trary to law. efforts are being resumed
10 get all railroads that do any busi-
ness Of a large size into the fold. Several
weeks ago a committee was appointed
to wait upon a number OF roads and
try TO get them TO become members or
the association, but as the legality or
the organization was before the court.
and as the railroad officials were some-
what chary about entering at that time
the invitations were not pressed.
Among the roads to which invitations
to become members were extended was
the Norfolk and Western Railroad Com
pany Several days ago the Press had
an article on this subject, and gave the
views of an official OF this company.
Ii was stated that the Norfolk and West
ern Railroad Company was not willing at
that time TO enter into any association
the legality OF which was being tested.
but notwithstanding this the officers CT
the company were in harmony with the
work the Joint Traffic Association was
doing. and that 1t was living up 10 the
rates.
REORGANIZATION UNDER WAY.
This official was also OF the opinion
that nothing would be done In this mat
ter until the company had been taken out
of the hands Of the receivers. The pro-
cess of reorganization is now under way,
and IL Is thought that early in the fall
the road Will be taken out OF the hands
OF the court. 1t was also intimated that
% 40 Narfofk
and Western Railroad Company becoming
a member Of the Joint Traffic Associa-
ton when it was operated by the owners.
Since the above article was written
there has been a slight misunderstanding
between the officers of the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company and the
members Of the Joint Traffic Association.
which has resulted in the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company making
new tariff on freight from this city 10
points in the West This tariff is n
reduction over the one that has been In
force. and it is lower than the rates
quoted by competing lines that arc
members Of the Joint Traffic Association.
1t has created considerable talk In rail-
road circles and there Is said to be
plan on foot TO get the weaker lines 10
compete with the Norfolk and Western
Railroad Company. The Norfolk and
Western rates are the same except that
there is a slight difference owing TO ma
rine insurance.
MIR. PINCKNEY'S VIEWS.
neral-Eastern-Agent Pinckney, of tho
Norfolk and Western. I'm explaining the
reasons for the issuance Of the cut tariff,
is quoted as saying:
"Our company considers that 1t is en-
titled 10 the same rates as the lake and
rail lines. They are virtually the Same
as the all-rail lines. because they are
owned by them. They have been making
as good time, and have been Offering as
good. and even better service. than our
line. and i'm view of the fact that we had
no lake line We believe We should be on
an equal footing. We asked the Trunk
Line Association April 30th last 20 sane
ton our determin ton to issue tariff
such as we have. but they virtually de-
clined We are not members OF mat or
the Joint Traffic Association, and We
notified them Of our intention. We have
issued n tariff Of rates no lower than the
lake and rail rates. only we add few
cents for insurance We are not rate
cutters. We hope and think 1t only fair
that the Joint Traffic Association WI
allow some Of our competitors TO meet
our tariff. 1t IS only equitable and right
All we have done has been entirely open
and above board There is nothing per-
sonal In this matter. We are anxious 10
maintain rates but we have some iights
which we wish TO protect