The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-17
EITHER WOULD AFFECT
THE COMING ELECTION
Hartman and Others, Represent
ing Western Interests, Urge
Immediate Advance. While
Eastern Men Fear Such
Action Would Rctard
Flow Of Business.
Special to The Times -Dispatch.]
: I,yV YORK July l6t-TwentS


~ five heads OF leading Ameri-
can railroads met to-day to
discuss the question OF rais-
ing freight rates 10 per
cent. or cutting the wages OF 1,65o.000
employees an equal amount Either
decision promises to have widespread
effect on the coming presidential cleo
tion.
Should the governments influence
prevail against a raise In rates, an
element OF the meeting holds the club
reduction in wages an inevitable strike
of several million employees would un-
doubtedly follow, seriously affecting
the result of the election. To avert
this 1t Is likely that the meeting Will
postpone any action until after the
election.
Divergence OF Opinion.
Considerable divergence OF opinion
appeared in the discussion as to the
policy OF raising the scheduled rates
at the present time. owing to the dull
ness OF trade and the opposition that
has been already displayed on the part
of shippers to the proposed increase.
On the one hand, 1t was argued, the
necessities. of the railroads are urgent.
and while strict economies are being
practiced IN operating expenses. the re-
dnction OF wages on large scale has
not been resorted to. On the other
hand. the effect of raising the rates
before any marked Improvement in gen
eral freight traffic has set in may be
TO retard the flow of rising business
that is expected with the fall. This
consideration appeals more strongly
TO the Eastern lines than to the Vest
ern, which can rely on the usual ship
ments of fruit and grain.
IL was reported that officers of the
Pennsylvanin. who had hitherto advo-l
Gated an early raising OF the scheduled
rates, have now changed their opinion
In the matter, and. together with the
Lackawanna, Reading and Lehigh vaI-
ley, are opposed TO an immediate ad
vance and In this attitude were decid-
edly at variance with the policy advo-
Gated by hIr. Hartman and the lines
allied with him.
The discussion brought out very
clearly the fact that great difference
OF opinion exists among the railway
authorities themselves on the question
whether rates shall be Increased. The
matter of reduction of wages was not
discussed.
No Agreement Reached.
At the close of the conference al
statement was given out by Mr.. Nc
Cain. the secretary OF the association,
rs follows:
THE question OF an advance In
freight rates was discussed at
length. and reports from the
committee having in charge the
OH Tt N$
but It was found that this work
had not progressed to such point
as to make definite action practI-
cable at this time"
No date was set for another meeting
President Delano, of the Wabash, said
tonight that the principal obstacles
that stand In the way OF general and
horizontal increase are State laws and
local conditions. Asked IL there was
any possibility OF the trunk lines aban-
sdoning their intention OF making rail-
road increases, Mr.. Delano replied:
No; Increases will be made on many
classes and commodities and that be-
fore very long
Those Who Attended.
Among those present at the confer.
snce were James McCrea, president OF
the Pennsylvania: w. G. Brown. vice.
president Of the New York Central; r. !.
ID. Underwood. president Of the Erie;
r. H. Hartman. representing the
Union Pacific and Delaware and Hudson
interests; William H. Truesdale, presl-
dent OF the Lackawanna; George n.
Baer, president of the Reading; L. T..
Lore, president OF the Delaware and
Hudson: Frederick Delano, president
OF the Wabash, and Oscar S. Murray,
president of the Baltimore and Ohio.
9& 7fs c. --------
!. TEMPLE is DISCIPLINED