The times., 1899-05-11
ADJUSTING RAIL RATES.
Railroad Managers Before the Inter
state Commerce Commission.

Yesterday representatives of Western
railroads conferred with the Interstate
Commerce Commission for the general dis
cussion of the rate question, this being
the third conference of this nature this
year More than a hundred prominent rail-
road men were present. No agreement OF
any kind was reached as to changes in the
existing order of things. The meeting was
an informal one in the interests of more
cordial and harmonious relations between
the roads, and the general lines of discuss
ion taken up at the former meetings were
continued. All the railroad men present
again individually stated that their roads
were strictly adhering to the rate schedules
and that they intended to do SO.
+ The chief topic under discussion was that
Of rates on grain to New York and the
other Eastern ports. A few OF those pres
ent were in favor of a lesser rate on grain
to be exported than on that for consump-
ton in this country. The Commission has
not yet formally expressed its opinion on
this question, but it is believed to favor
uniform rates. The railroad men also in a
majority of instances seemed to believe the
/ uniform rates preferable. This question is
very difficult one on account of the COM
| petition which the northern roads have
with the Gulf roads and also with the lake
routes. Both the Gulf roads and the Lake
steamers can haul grain at less cost, and
in order to get the business the Northern
! roads have to give the same rate, and thus
make less profit, or none whatever.
The advantages of the Gulf roads il this
class of business were under discussion
! incidentally. The recent improvements in
/ the harbor at Galveston have deepened it
SO that the largest ocean steamers can
! enter at all times. The ocean rate from
Galveston to Europe is little, if any, greater
than that from New York. The haul from
/ st. Louis or Kansas City to Galveston,
however, is much shorter and less expen-
| sive than that from these points to the
North Atlantic seaboard. 1t has thus come
! to be the fact that the rate to the Gulf
fixes the rate to seaboard points In a
slightly different form the Lake routes
make the same problem for the Northern
roads.
1t was one of the opinions expressed
quite generally that the very good and suf-
ficient reason why the roads are net cutting
rates at present is that they are already
so low that nothing can be cut off and
leave any profit.
1t is the hope OF the Commission and of
the railroads that general agreement can
be reached as to the adjustment OF rates
which shall be equitable and satisfactory 10
all, as far as possible. The roads hope that
| II this can be done a higher schedule can
be adopted This, 1t is believed, would
be the best solution Of the present unsat-
isfactory condition OF affairs in the alb
sence of pooling law. The roads all
want pooling law, however.
A committee was appointed Of several OF
the men present at the last meeting a
month ago to further discuss the situation
and 1t made its report yesterday through
Paul Morton. Chairman. No recommenda.
tion was given, except that the meetings
with the Commission be continued. II was
agreed informally that monthly meetings
| be held on the first Tuesday of each month