New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-21
BLOW AT STEAMSHIP LINES.
CANADIAN PACIFIC's CUT AFFECTS
THESE COMPANIES, TOO.

THE TRIBUSEs STORY DISCUSSED BY RAILROAD
MEN-AN APPLICATION FOR 4 HEARING Be
FORE THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE
ColprssIoN-oTHER PHASES
or THE RATE WAR.
Ono Of the main topics 81 discussion among
railroad men, stock-owners and Wall Street
men Yesterday was the exclusive report IN yes
terday's Tribune Of the rate war between the
Canadian Pacific. an English subsidized road.
and American lines running through practically
the same territory 70 the Pacific slope. ard ~
the meetings held at the Waldorf Astoria on
Saturday By the agents Of the steamship lines
the representatives Of a number OF railroads. TO
take steps to meet the reductions made by the
Canadian Pacific. The Canadian Pacific Is the
British military highway trait connects Van
couver. the English Gibraltar on the Pacific
Coast. with Halifax. the most strongly fortified
English seaport the Atlantic Coast. The
facilities 1T each end of the Canadian Pacific
are such that il required special arrangements
to secure share Of the transcontnental traf-
nc. From the outset the Canadian Pacific has
received many favors from the American lines.
which preferred to make concessions 10 promot-
ing friction with their Canadian rival. Before
the siauehterinc Of rates began the Canadian
Pacific made special arraI gements. and offered
LARGE Inducements 20 secure the immigrant
traffic 10 points west Of Chicago and s.. Paul
These inducements however. were only given
TO grants who landed at Canadian ports
This discrimination against the steamship lines
which run to ports Of the United states caused
the directors of the steamship lines 10 Boston,
New-York Philadelphia and Baltimore 70 make
an appeal for help. The principal lines west OF
Ct,-ago responded % the appeal. but the pro-
visions II the Interstate Commerce laws pre-
vented their meeting the sweeping reduction
made by the Canadian Pacific
The following representatives Of Western lines
were AT the Waldorf-Astora yesterday after
noon. and discussed the situation with promi-
rent railroad men who represent the lines az
fected in the East. 3. y. Caldwell chairman Of
the Western Passenger Association; :. Zee
general passenger agent. Northern Pacihc Kali
way: ". ? White. passenger traffic manager
Archlsor Topeka and Santa Re Railway John
Sebastian general passenger agent Cn'caso'
Rock Island and Pacific Railway; H. C. Town
send. Missouri Pacific Railway. and P Eustis'
general passenger agent. Chicago Burlington
and quincy Railroad.
The statement given below was made by the
Western representatives.: 1T appears that the
attack Of the Canadian Pacific Railway in
s,auehtering passenger rates throughout the
United states was not only directed against the
American railway lines. but against the reve-
nues Of the Transatlantic steamship companies
landing at American ports. This Is shown by
the fact that the Canadian PaciAc's cut in
immigrant rates on business from Europe was
confined to steamship lines landing at Canadian
ports. and had IL not been for the prompt acuoh
IF the American railroad lines west Of Chicago
81 Louis and 81 Paul. in guaranteeing pro
lection to the steamship lines landing at New
York Boston Philadelphia and Baltimore those
steamship lines would have been forced OUT OF
the business entirely. for the reason That on
most II the traffic. especially To Paclhr Coast
territory. on which the Canadian racine hds cur
The rates Of the American ran H..a iliol' nc.
- per cent the amour; Of the reduction. II me.
bv these steamship lines. would have apsorped
their entire earnings
ports foel that this attack upon them oy the
Canadian Pacific was unprovoked ana entiiely
without justification. and viii undoubtedly nav
the effect Of CONVINCING them 81 Wh2i some oI
heir number have loag claimed namely, tnat
he facilities which they have been a1or1lhg
tho Canadian Pacific on Transatlantic immigrant
business have not only been used 70 TIE detrl-
nient Of the American railroad lines. but 70 the
injury OF the steamship lines A. We'll IL Woul4
seem as II the only course now oIen LOT .m,.''
is 10 cOnhne the'r interchange OF immigrant
Transatlantic business 10 the American railroad
lines. upon whose friendship and support TINS
emergency has demonstrated they can fully de-
pend"
An apnlication has been made 70 the Inter
state Commerce Commission a. Washington FOR
a hearing and IL is believed y will be favorabiy
received with the result that the representa-
tives OF the Western lines will meet the Com
mission within a few days. Then an effort Will
be made 70 suspend the clauses Of the Inter
state Commerce law that prevent them from
meeting the Canadian roads cut and attack
upon American railroads.
1t was generally conceded among railroad men
Yesterday that the Secretary Of the Treasury.
Mr.. Gage. could suspend at his VIII the bonding
nri,iloges granted to the Canadian Pacific by
the United States Government. which enable 1t
70 compete with ts rivals on this side Of the
Canadian boundary. In the mean while the
Canadian Pacific forces are aggressive. and the
Of the American railway lines
interested in the fight anxously await the result
of the interview between the committee appoint
"a an SATURDAY and the representatives. OF the /