New-York tribune., 1899-03-24
FOR UNIFORM FREIGHT RATES.
REPRESENTATIVES, OF WESTERN HoAD'
CONFER WITH INTERSTATE CON-
MERGE COMMISSION.

Washington March 23-The presidents' genera
managers or other representatives OF anout ."e"-
ty-hve railroad companies. comprising aimos. r'o
entire trunk line service between Chcaso snu H
Michigan and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers ana
beyond we're In executive conference throughou, IN"
day with the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The result was verbal assurance on the part VI
all tho roads represented TO maintain unitorm
tariffs through cooperation and the appointments
OF a committee to confer with the commisso" "
morrow looking to more definite and spec'nc acs,o
for securing general stability in freight rates lhis
committee consists Of Paul Morton. vice-president
of the Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe' n. W.
Burt president OF the Union Pacific; a. {. biro'
general traffic manager OF the Chicago. MwauKee
and St. Paul: r. F. Yoakum. vice-president OF '"e
St. Louis and San Francisco; c. G. warner. VICE
president Of the Missouri Pacific, and Edward o
washburn president of the Kansas city. Fort
Scott and Memphis. This committee will meet WITH
the Commission tomorrow morning AT W ococh
The general conference closed after being In ses-
sion from II o'clock this morning till O'CLOCK TO-
night and most OF the magnates have returned
home.
A, the conference each road represented was
called on TO report its freight tariff conditions gen.
erally whether or not its published rates were
being carefully observed and what future dimcui-
ties were anticipated. Each reported aosoiu'e
maintenance OF published schedules. ana tne re-
ports summarized indicated the most thorough CO.
operation in the Western territory. NO road han
any definite complaint OF secret ratio practices 10
report and the contrary. II was brought OUT
that several reports OF secret practices were found
to be groundless when the suspected ROADS mao
been quietly Investigated. 1t was recognized. now"
ever in the discussion that mutual jealousy ana
distrust were somewhat prevalent and that fuiI
general confidence must be established.
In view OF the enormous volume OF ramc now
taxing the CARRYING capacity OF all the roads. those
considerable apprehension TO the future. when
this volume might diminish. when the formida-
BILE lake navigation competition set IN, or otner
conditions arise which ordinarily might demorau1e
freight conditions One main point OF apprehension
was the difference between the rates on grams
and other products for export and those Tor 40
mestic use a material difference which was ac-
knowedged, but to the necessity or which tne
railroad officials differed in their views NO deh-
mite action on this line was taken. however.
The Antitrust law, taking away the legal sane
ton Of any concerted effort among the roads 70
maintain rates and the same time requiring tne
observance of published rates, was discussed, ana
efforts to overcome this obstacle were Informally
mentioned The general sentiment as to the results
of tho conference is that each road VIII make a
consistent effort to act fairly toward the otners
The officials present pledged themselves not TO devil
ate from their published tariffs and not 10 dis-
crminate between the large and small Shippers.
AT the meeting tomorrow definite action nay
he taken looking to insuring as far as poSsloie
against possible future contingencies which mighs
preciptate decentralization In rates