The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-09
NORTHWEST RATE CUTTING.
General Meeting OF Railroads Concerned Called
FOR Next Tuesday.

for Next Tuesday.
The Passenger Committee of the Trunk
Line Association held a meeting at the Waldorf.
Astoria yesterdy, t which the subject of chief
public interest considered vast he restoration
of rates on traffic to the Pacific coast, which
involves the Klondike business, that is expected
to be large this spring. The committees ses-
sion was long, hut although various routine
business was transacted, definite action on
trans continental passenger rates was put over
until Tuesday next.
The Subcommittee which went to Montreal
in the latter part of February to confer with
the Canadian Pacific authorities, with a view
to %efecting a stop in rate cutting, submitted a
report on Reduced Fares Between Eastern
Points and the Northwest, Pacific Coast, ana
Alaska" The report is addressed to L. =.
Farmer and +, c. Donald. Chairmen Of the
Joint Committee, and is signed by d.. ]. Roberts
and George II. Daniels. The subcommittee
say that after a very thorough discussion of the
situation with the Canadian Pacific officials,
including Mr.. McNicoll, Mr.. Shaughnessy, and
Sir William Van Horne in Montreal on Friday,
Feb. %, they sent the following telegram to
Messrs. Caldwell. Donald. Farmer. and Weeks:
After n full conference with Canadian Pacific oni,
cials. we respectfuily suggest and most earnestly
to tariffs in effect prior to present disturb ances. and
that such lines as are paying commissions on the
tThLhS rcNuth " III 1ih'Nh - " tLc OfiIa ugIeCu COIn-
missions in effect prior to these disturbances. This
would require the cancellation OF tariffs recently is
CanadI an Pacific. the Grand Trunk. the transat!an.
Tie steamship and other lines: both east and
and the restoration OF all fares to regularly
Interest as properly in eject prior to the disturbance
that have brought about present reduced rates, and
York at the earliest date practicable thereafter. but
not later than March -. for the purpose OF a general
discussion OF all matters In dispute. with a view TO
an immediate settlement OF same, or. IA ling an
agreement To secure. II possible. the consent OF the
interested lines to submitting the unsettled ques-
lions to arbitration.
The conference lasted until late in the after,
ing the above telegram was submitted to Gen.
eral Traffic Manager Reeve Of the. Grand
Trunk system. who said he would lay it before
morning, and invited the coinmittee to a con.
ference with Nicc-Prcsidcnt Hays a. l O'Clock
saturday. A. this meeting the various phases
used. AS a result of these several inter-
views with the Canadian Pacific and Grand
Trunk officials. the committee was impressed
with the evident desire on the part OF both par
ties to reach an agreement that would secure
an adjustment of their differences and the res.
The subcommittee left Montreal with the
opinion that a way would be found, II the par
ties COLD be brought together and the subject
discussed. 1t that such a confer
cnce be held ut the earliest practicable moment.
After discussion of the report, the meeting
decided to postpone action on it until next
Tuesday, when another meeting. will be held at
which everybody interested will be invited to be
present.
The Joint Passenger Committee represents
lines extending only to Chicago. Chairman
Farmer said that special invitations would be
sent to CONSERVATIVES Of the lines west of Chi
cago, those of New England, and those OF Can
ada to attend Tuesdays meeting.
The Joint Passenger Committee agreed to
the following recommendation OF the General
baggage Agents for uniform excess baggage
charges:
That $50 pounds Of personal baggage may be
checkei free over the lines in Joint Passenger
Committee on each full first or second. class
ticket sold at authorized regular or, reduced
rates, and 20 pounds on each half ticket; and
passengers weighing in excess of the free al
lowuncc thus authorized shall be subject to a
charge OF not less than u per cent. OF the
standard flrst-class limited fare, via tine direct
route: and when no limited fare is quoted, not
less than II per cent. OF the fare, via
the direct route; provided that no less charge
than % cents shah be made In any case.