New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-17
THAYER ON TRAFFIC.
p. r. r. Official Speaks in Defence
of Railroads.

J. B. Thayer, vice-president of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, in a speech last night At the
annual dinner OF the Traffic Club at the Waldorf
discussed the problems that confront the railroad
managers of to-day. The greatest problem. he
said was that Of how to restore state OF recip-
rocal understanding and fairness between the car
rters and the public.
Four hundred Industrial traffic managers wore
present George T. Smith, general agent of the
Pennsylvania Railroad. presided At the guests
table with him sat J. B. Thayer fourth vice-presi-
dent OF the Pennsylvania Railroad, who responded
to the toast OF Some Railway Problems: P. A.
S Franklin. president of the International Mer-
camille Marine Company. who told of traffic from
the point of view Of the steamship Interests;
Professor Logan G. Mcpherson, OF Johns Hopkins
University, had for his theme The Silent Part
ner'; J. A. Walker. vice-presdent and treasurer Of
the Dixon Crucible Company, discussed the ques-
ton Of traffic from "A Shippers View" while
CresweH Mclaughlin. editor Of The Schoolras-
ter" discussed The Art Of Saying Nothing
Briefly"
Fl. II. Vreeland president OF the New York City
Railway Company. sent regrets because of Illness.
Mr.. Thayer, speaking of the varying problems
that have confronted railroad managers, said the
question Of enlargement furnished the greatest
perpeXities to-day. The difficulty OF getting capt.
tai he said, was enhanced at present by the tmid-
ity Of the general public IN view of present attacks
on corporations He continued:
This brings US, then to our greatest and most
perpexing problem-that of how restore state
or reciprocal understanding and fairness between
believe that deepseated is the apparent hostility
Of the people that the management Of the railways
viii be taken practically out Of the hands of their
owners, and that great disasters are to follow,
son that whatever may have been the faults in the
6gsy,e ms r nos 5nI TaSces OF TaToad man
their public responsibilities
Reviewing the various forms these attacks have
taken, he said they were due to misrepresentation.
bur added:
entirely blameless. We are IN some respects only
realizing the wages Of past sins. We have done
have done and We have left undoae many Of
those things which we ought TO have done" Most
of the evils date back many years and many of
them might have been prevented had the govern
ment done its duty and enforced the Law.
Yet even in most recent years We can find some
mistakes with which TO concern ourselves II IS
not strange that many who have suffered loss
through delays I'm their traffic in their personal
prodtane business becaTse tbey coII5 moi ssC,,T
cars. should have become exasperated and,
Thought that the railroads We're lacking in fore
sight and management
In defence Of the railroads. however he said they
could not be blamed for rebating in the DAYS when
It common practice. He said the evil was
due mainly 10 competition between carriers He
blamed the government for not taking vigorous
steps for the suppression of Relating sooner than 1t
did He believes the evil Is practically checked to-
day. saying:
Upon the resumption Of business activity. In 1898
and lNsy, and later, following the passage Of the
, 81 tr PPoI '!IIiIIS was Presented-and IN
from the old methods. While since then there have
matter OF secret arrangements vet I think that
OF least within the last four five years II safe
and perhaps in many of the cases-whiie a tech
meal violation of the law-were actually not dis
say This advisedly so far as the Eastern situa-
sy1vania Railroad Company has not paid a rebate
for years and IL is fair 70 believe that that
H. without the necessity for such arrangements its
tho same policy
He then took up the question Of passes For
this evil. too, he blamed the public. To illustrate
he cited this incident:
Upon one occasion within the last two years
tai.eG upon ne Interstate commerce commission
and was very frankly told that It could make no
view of the fact that important public officials in
cud!ng Senators and the members OF Congress-
ITEM '''' " was not improper '0T them to accept
OF the dangers attending government interview
ton he said:
The danger does not lie in the provisions o: the
ence between its provisions and those OF the old
law. except IN respect 20 the powers OF the com
There was no necessity for the new law 50 far
ana discrimination was concerned
- II is from various other bills being presented in
Congress IN which the immediate danger lies. show
ment with the operation of railroads. with respect
signals and other methods OF operation. which
should properly be left to the railroads themselves.
This threatened interference OF the federal gov
eminent Is having powerful and dangerous in
HUeuce upon the legislatures Of the various states.
who apparently are in a slang term. seeing Con-
gress ana going ii five or six better in the bills
for reduction OF state rates, both passenger and
freight; for increase in taxation and all sorts of
measures which tend 10 reduce the earnings and
increase the expenses and hamper and delay the
actual development necessary.
Yet with the law the statute books,
our traffic problems stIu WIKI We TOR
hidden by law TO make formal agreements - TO
rates. Vet II Is universally recognized that in order
10 secure an equitable adjustment Of rates. 10 IS
absolutely necessary that the traffic managers Of
the railroads shall confer frequently. II IS well
known that such conferences are held and must be
held 10 prevent determinations, yet no definite
agreements be made
The present law stipulates that there shall be no
discrimination 10y railroads against persons
mUuities. Right here. however. the railroads are
face 10 face with problem all their own, which
Is Very serious one, and that is, How shall ii par
community ON its own line 10y some other railroad
seeking specially 70 favor community its line?
We are In the presence of this ridiculous situation
that the hand being threatened
with prosecution by the government for violation
of the Sherman act I'm respect 10 methods which,
and the Interstate Commerce commissioners agree
must be- followed IN order properly to discharge
responsibility 10 the public.
much. for the moment, for national prob
lem As state regulation: While not believing
now that we have "a national aw-that II is neCes-
commissions and special railroad laws at the same
time. II the people desire such commissions
have right 20 look upon such demand an
urChistic, but We feel that the working Of such