Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-26
THREAT TO ABOLISH FAST TRAINS.
Vanderbilt nnd Pcnnrylvnnin Co.'S
Pnt on Screws to Equniize Rates.
CNeM York Herald-25th.O

NEW 1OTk t1eIdlu-I0ln.)
What promises to develop into a good
sized row between the trunk lines was
set under way yesterday by the Wander
| bilt and Pennsylvania lines Of railroads
at a secret meeting that was called by
the general passenger agents Of the inter
ested companies In this city. The plan Is
TO abolish all difTerentials between New
York and Chicago and ST. Louis, making
the so-called weaker roads charge the
same fare as the strong lines.
The New York Central, Pennsylvania
Fort Wayne Lake Shore, and Michigan
Central are the strong lines, and the Erie,
Baltimore and Ohio, Lehigh Valley. Lack
awanna, ontario and Western, and West
Shore are the weak lines. The fare by
the standard lines from New York TO
Chicago is $40 on all except the fastest
trains. while the weak lines are allowed
to charge from g to 50 less, because their
slower trains are alleged 10 place them at
a disadvantage I'm getting business.
For several weeks past the strong lines
have been preparing 10 make a coup and
compel all roads 10 charge the same rate
by abolishing fast trains. BY this plan IL
was calculated that the reason for allow
ing the smaller roads a dimcrentiaI
would be taken away.
AT THE MERCY OF BIG ROADS
The motive of the big roads. according
10 their competitors was 10 secure a
larger proportion of the business which
II was calculated, would be the result il
all of the companies were compelled to
charge so from New York 10 Chicago.
The big companies believe that their SUI
perior prestige would turn the bulk OF the
travel their way, and in that case they
would have the small roads at their
mercy
There have been several sharp encoun-
ters between the big and small roads IN
recent meetings In the effort TO abolish
diflerentials.
Take off your fast-limited trains" has
been the demand Of the small roads. III
you want TO wipe out differentials and
make US all charge the same rate"
"All right" was the reply hut the rep
resentatives OF the weak lines had no
idea that this would be done. They were
greatly surprised, therefore. when the
North Shore limited train over the New
York Central and Michigan Central was
taken or. a couple OF weeks ago. and IN
timations were given out that all of the
other limited trains between New York
and Chicago might also be withdrawn. il
necessary. I'm order TO compel the abolish
ment. of dinerentals.
There was no little commOtiOn I'm rail
road circles yesterday when IL was an
nounced that the Board OF Managers of
the Joint Traffic Associa don would be
asked TO wipe out differentIals. on as
surances that the big roads were willing
TO remove their limited trains-or at
least lengthen out thcir running time
so that they would make the run be-
tween New York and Chicago In the same
time as the fast trains on the Eric.
Lehigh Valley. and Lackawanna.
SAY 1T Is A TRAP
These latter companies have so inn
proved their service thar their limited
trains now mike the trip in from twenty
six 10 twenty-eght hours. In other
words, according 20 the allegations Of
the New York Central and Pennsylvania
officials. there iskreally not enough diff