The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-16
DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING
DIFFERENTIAL QUESTION A TROU-
BLESONIE ONE TO SOLVE.
Wabash VIII Not Abandon Andrews
as a Division POint-Big Four De-
cIares Its Usual Dividend.

Since the formation of the Joint Traffic
Association the question of allowing Ger
tain roads differentials not only on freight
but passenger business has become one Of
the most troublesome matters the board
of managers has had to deal with and has
been practically the only question that the
board of arbitrators has been called on to
adjust. Passenger differentials between
roads in the association territory are far
from satisfactory. The ruling that a road
which had been to large expense to fit up
elegant trains and prepare its roadbed to
make fast time must, to carry out its fast
time schedule, charge extra fare on such
trains, is looked upon as a backward step
by enterprising passenger men. The strong
lines are in some measure to blame for the
present conditions they having asked diff
ferentials on insufficient reasons, and in so
doing have created an i'll feeling on the part
of the so-called weak lines which may at
one time have been entitled to a small
differential. The ten lines between Chicago
and the Eastern seaboard are all running
the highest standard of equipment and
could, if they choose make faster time.
To say that either of the lines which does
not show a disposition to put on faster
trains was inferior to those that do would
at once cause a protest, and were the diff
ferential question set aside entirely the
situation, many passenger officials think,
would be improved. These same lines are
all making very fast time with freight and
never breach the question of differentials
other than those which have been estab-
Hshed for years. cents per one hundred
pounds in favor of Baltimore and Newport
News, cents via. Philadelphia. Since the
Joint Traffic Association was formed the
New York Produce Exchange has discov-
cred that these differentials in favor of
Baltimore, Newport News and Philadelphia
are unjust and must be done away with,
and a great pressure is being brought to
bear on the board of managers of the
Joint Traffic Association to obliterate them
in the interest of New York. The New
York Produce Exchange has issued a cir
cular setting forth the injustice they claim
exists of calling 1t discrimination against
New York In closing the circular says:
The fact is not disputed before the com
mission that 1896 was the first year in which
the effect of the differentials upon the bust
ness of New York is clearly shown. The
resulting diversion of business from New
York, by the enforcement of these differen-
tialS, is so apparent and so serious that
they must be removed if New York is to
sustain anything of her former commercial
supremacy. The contest being waged by
the New York Produce Exchange against
these unjust differentials is for the benefit
of all the business and commercial interests
of the port, and It is earnestly hoped by
your committee that the facts herewith
submitted for your consideration may in
duce an active interest in the controversy,
not only by the members of the exchange.
but by all the commercial exchanges and
business men of the city of New York.