Evening star., 1897-01-12
AFTER THE FREIGHT
Baltimore and Ohio Methods Criticised by
Other Roads.
Rate Cutting IL Charged by Some
board Tramc From Chicago.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company ac-
cording to rumors in railroad circles, is
becoming very much annoyed ut the con-
stantly growing business Of the Baltimore
and Ohio. much of which, 1t Is stated, has
been secured from shippers who previous
to the latter road going into the hands of
the receivers were patrons of the Pennsyl-
vania company.
Other lines. principally those carrying
eastbound freight out of Chicago. have ex-
perienced, it is admitted by them, serious
loss Of revenue since Receiver Murray put
his aggressive plans into effect and the
railroad companies interested are said to
be expressing themselves on the subject
with some vexation, and asserting that the
Baltimore and Ohio Is indulgng In rate
cutting.
A representative of one Of the roads af-
fected explained the situation as viewed by
the B. and O.'s opponents 10 a Star re-
porter follows: THE Baltimore and Ohio
is charged with being the principal dis
turber Of regular tariffs affecting the traffic
of the middle western states. The COM
pany being in the hands of rec civ v.r is, In
a certain sense, irresponsible, as contrast
ed with other railroads which are meeting
their obligations to bondhoi1ers and dis
tributing profits to stockholders
Peculiar Advantages Of Receivers.
THE policy of the receivers. who have
the advantage of being able to obtain au-
thority for the issue of receivers certffi-
Gates in case the supply of ready cash is
short. seems to be to purchase new equip
ment and then fill it up without regard. 1t
is asserted in some quarters. to the rights
of competitors or the desira5!lity Of main
tanning harmony in railway circles.
1T is said that the Baltimore ard Ohio
has gone so far in this direction as TO eX-
cite considerable irritation on the part of
the Pennsylvania railroad management.
The Pennsylvania has not indulgel in a
vigorous rate since the great trunk
line contest which resulted from the build
ing of the West Shore railroad. 1t is earn
estly hoped in railroad and investment
circles that this powerful corporation will
not be provoked into retaliation against
the alleged practices of the Baltimore and
Ohio"
Another railroad man said: 1t can con-
firm the statement of dissatisfaction with
the policy pursued by the Baltimore and
Ohio receivers as regards getting business
especially in the soft coal trade Inc Eal-
timore and Ohio has brought This trade to
a condition approaching absolute demorali-
Zation, and unless there is a change very
soon, the Pennsylvania will probably put
into force methods designed 10 end the
trouble similar to those which ii put into
force in the trunk line war in 1854 and 1880
.There is a strong disposition to criticise
a system which permits an insolVent road,
under the protection of the courts, 10 por-
row large sums of money TO BUY equipment
and make improvements with the object Oh
taking business generally and to its own
loss, as shown in decreased net earnings.
What the Receivers Say.
The attention of the receivers of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad Company was
today called by a Star reporter to the
charges above referred to- and in which the
Baltimore and Ohio was practically accused
of manipulating freight rates from the
West Virginia coal fields.
They stated that there was no truth what
ever in the rumorS that the Baltimore and
Ohio was in any way manipulating rates,
and that the facts were that the Baltimore
and Ohio was securing higher rate per
ton on coal this year than during the same
period year ago; that while the coal tom
mage of the Baltimore and Ohio did show
some increase this increase was the nat
ural result of the fact that number OF
mines had been reopened on the line Of the
Baltimore and Ohio, and to the further fact
that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany had made large additions to its motive
and car equipment, with the result that
during the present season it was In a better
position to handle traffic offered than ever
before.
In regard to the statement made in some
quarters that the Baltimore and Ohio was
to be disciplined in relation thereto by the
Joint Traffic Association, there could be but
one answer: The Joint Traffic Association
has no Jurisdiction over coal traffic.