New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-27

rates ana 10 live UP 10 that understanding just 10
that extent the public have had stable and equal
and reasonable rates. and the merchants and the
manufacturers have known when they made their
contracts or purchases exactly what they would have
10 pay in the way OF freight.
EFFECT OF LEGISLATION.
The whole object OF legislation by the State Leg
slatures and by the National Congress is 10 accom-
plish two results-one. that there shall be none Of
those discrimination by transportation lines which
build UP or firm and crush out
other man or another firm. and build up one place
and destroy the prosperity Of another and another
that the shippers shall have equa shall be all
! treated alike and shall know from published tariffs
precisely the OF their transportation Ii mas
Deen proved that no legislation can accomplish these
results, because such legislation. while prohibiting
line. encourages 1t where many lines run from one
cago and New-York or Chicago and New-Oreans or
81 Louis and the seaboard. But railroads, II per-
able 10 supplement such legislation by policies upon
mutual agreements which make the legislation ef-
fecuve: II universal rate war is brought on be
pnaersLandns with each other as 10 rates there VII
vestment three times greater than the National DEBT
being hopeless!y impaired. and another reason that
locality after locality on one line will be dried up,
feverishly stimulated, to be in turn bankrupted.
Just 70 the extent that our internal commerce is
our raWay n equal al To tSS Of all ke rest
OF the world and the interest Of all sections Of the
bands is it necessary that the enlightened and civil
izsd methods WHICH have been proved oy rePeateI
/ problem should be put In force IN the nited
| liberty among the railways and supervision by the
| State have solved the railway problem removed
and satisfied Everybody IN @ and New
! York; II Is jusi a. easy to accomplish the same
! sion in interstate CONNER e Just rs easy so 10
Government that big mon and little men, big Shippers
and little shippers. big producers and small pro-
featuring interests. in a word all the people be
satisfactorily served by the transportation lines,
| solvent and business basis. and the railroads be
fairly remunerated for their work"
VIEWS OF CHAIRMAN WALKER.
! Aldace F. Walker. chairman OF the Board OF Di-
Of the Atchison. Topeka and Santa re Rail-
| way Company. said yesterday: The Tribune edi-
| torial published to-day on The Railway Situation
Is IN the main correct far as It goes; but II does
not state the whole case and is therefore unfair
1t Is true that the reason for the existing anx-
each other. They distrust each other so much that
citation agreements have been regarded by them as
PRACTICALLY Of Lire yau Ths c 9e 1o.s na5 he be
maintained is leealized assurance between com
petng lines that common business or the earnings
"If this distrust IL justified their fears are ust-
Concerted and united action practicable remedy
| Simple and straightforward honesty in their deal;
ings with one another IS an easy thing TO say, ana
| perhaps II ought 10 be an easy thing 10 OBTAIN
! bur valuable pracucal resource
than business in other circles II % per cent Of
Variant err the BELIEF in the antenance OF rates
what Of the other 10 per cent II i? per cent OF ne
FOR sharp practice anc snsTP ffks wa s gsn @
factor in the situation which 1t will not do 10 ig-
f tne an in 81 any Other
| This arises from the enormous number OF nd.yid-
| uals concerned in II, and also from the inhnic
number OF points OF contact ANY Of our roads can
rates open TO manipulation by the routing agents
and solicitors every station are practically mum,
articles are enumerated and distributed. ship
ment under different class, or a variation from
/ between shippers. Will cut rate In manner that
cannot be ascertained except by concerted T acuOn
safety Of this operation constantly tempt It's use.
and unless classifcarons, rates and rules can be
protect its traffc' by individual changes therein.
EDUCATION OF THE PAST.
and again. the education of the past has been
most unfortunate Cunning devices 10 outwit CON-
petitors' have long been regarded as evidencing
valuable service. only 10 short-sighted rail-
WAY rnanagements. but by stockholders and the
very financial authorities to which you appeal: and
the publ, not only expects their use but demands
rnniversal The more potential the shipper the
vigorous ms insistenee upon some speeial
sentiment 10 support the wishes OF honest railway
managers; the contrary. public sentiment JeeIs
I
Il do not look for any immediate rate wars IN
consequence OF the recent most unfortunate de-
cision OF Supreme Court which has upset an pre-
Vnceived ideas concerning the legitimate methods
4 conducting transportation. ! believe the wise
and conservative spirit which you appeal Will for
a time be strong enough to prevent such outbreaks
which are always even more preJudicial 10 business
interests than me railroads themselves But the
pulse of traffic movement IS the most sensitive thing
1 in the business world shipper transfers mis- bust
ness from one route another stating what induce
nent ne has received. Whether ms statement be
true or false the desre 20 Drls mn DdcA - 80 81 o6
! that ne often makes ms own terms. ms Is the
starting point OF a rate war, and unless railway
managers angels. as you truly say they ought
to be- whole fabric VIII eventually topple 10 the
'SThe only remedy yet known-known and legal
An every other country than tais-s the author ling
under proper regulations and restrictions, Of mutual
agreements among competing lines FOR the assur-
ance each OF fair snare Of the general traffic
'"rhe connection between the success Of railways
and OF all other Industrial enterprises Is 80 intimate
that. unless this remedy can De promptly applied the
return Of business prosperity ior ewhlcn we nave
and The country Will continue 10 wallow in the
slough OF dstruSt and disaster.
The attorneys for the railroads in the Joint Traffic
Association will meet on Tuesday next the Of
fee OF Carter & Ledyard counsel for the assOcia-
ton No. q Wall-st consider the decision Of the
United States Supreme Court in the Iransm!ssouri
Freight Association case. subsequently meeting
OF the Board Of Control OF the association will De
called by the chairman. Chauncey NJ. Depew;
NeW-YOrk Central and Hudson
River Railroad stock yesterday ascrbed 10
sales of long stock by persons VINO bought recent
~ on a belief that the refunding operation would
fear appeared to be excited that the United States
Supreme Court decision Will have the effect OF de-
laying the operation: The opinion in quarters which
ought 10 be well-informed Is that, while the pres
ent is perhaps not particularly suspicious time for
bringing out such plans, there Is no reason 10 look
for any change In the New-York Central plan
any pOstponement OF It.