New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-12
TWIST IN IMMIGRANT POOL
Erie Threatens Its Disruption by
Refusing to Make Terms.
| BIG ROADS ASK COMPROMISE
Lehigt and Lackawanna Ready
to Go Back if Erie's Business
Can Be Controlled.

The Ellis Island pool that has controlled
for SO many years the Immigrant traffic Of
the railroads is in imminent danger OF dis
solution. as a result OF the declaration OF
Independence Of the Lehigh Valley and the
I.ackawanna a month ago. An attempt
was made by the roads remaining In the
pool 70 get together yesterday and decide
on means to force the rebels back into the
fold, but the Erie. over which the fight
began. remained out OF yesterday confer
ence. and this may mean the breaking MP
II the pool with each road out for all OF
the traffic 1t can get.
The Lehigh Valley and the Lsckawanna
Withdrew from the pool or March be-
cause they thought the Erie was getting
more than its fair share OF the immigrant
business Since tina; time they have been
going out FOR al the Ellis Island business
they could get. without considering the
pro rata 81 he other roads. They nave
done so much routing OF immigrants III
their five weeks OF independence that the
question became a serious one with the
other roads. and the conference was called
TO consider ways and means or satisfying
| the malcontents.
When the representatives or the Penn
sylvania. the West Shore. the New York
Central the New York. Ontario e. West
ern and the Baltimore & Ohio got 20 the
offices Of the Trunk Lire Association. how
ever they found that no one had come
from the Erie. The Erie suspected that
an sud-avor was to he made 10 cut down
It's share OF the business. and. Ike the
Lehigh Valley ana the Tackawsnna. II sat
I tight TO SEQ what would happen. That
road has enjoyed for Years an extra bulk
of the Immigrant traffic. and IL does not
care 20 give up this business. il II can be-
helped. Furthermore. II feels that IL is nov
in strong position. so far as the Elie
Island passengers are concerned. 70 pu-
up a good fight to hold what It has had
for so many years.
II II sticks 70 this position the result, is
likely 20 be the entire disruption % the
pool. as the traffic managers OF some Of
the other roads feel thar the Lshigh Val
Icy and the Lackawanna were not so far
wrong whom they said that Il was time TO
stop discrimination IN favor % the Erie.
II f. understood that a practical ultimatum
was issued By the Pennsylvania yester-
day that all he roads must get together
/
would cut rates on the traffic. and also
would offer a big increase in the commits
sions TO the steamship companies for bust
ness routed over the Pennsylvania lines
from the other eide or tie water
As the Pennsylvania heretofore has been
opposed always TO paying commissions 10
the steam shp companies in any form. the
other roads remaining In the pool are maxi
ing every endeavor 20 find a way to induce
the Erie 10 give up some Of its rights un-
der the present agreement and bring tho
recalcitrants back into tho association.
Under present conditions the Lehigh VAL
lev and the LackawsIna are satisfied.
They have not had 20 raise their commits
sions but have found II sufficient 10 In
crease their business 10 go out in the usual
way with runners promises Of superior ac-
commodations, higher speed ami the oidl-
nary Inducements They are willing 10 go
| back into the pool. however provided the
Eriss share Of the business can be cut
down TO what they consider a fair proper
ton
When these TWO roads first broke away
from the pool II was supposed that the
problem was a simple one Of finding a way
4
talk Of a general cut in rates and an in
crease in commissions 10 the steamship
companies. which would cut the margin OF
profit down go that the two roads would
have TO come back into the pool in self
protection The Pennsylvania was the
Il ader in this plan, but it soon developed
! that the Central was It's only supporter.
! The other roads did not care 20 go into
fight through which they would have 10
/ Lose q lot OF money. They said that the
railroad rate decision mad gone against
them, and they did not feel like losing more
money IN fight for the immigrant traffic.
The Lehigh Valley and the Lackawanna
are right" they said. We will cut down
the Erie's share OF the business. the other
roads will come back into the pool and
we will all De happy again
Then the Erie bucked. The lions share
~ the immigrant traffic was given 10 II
rany years ago, when II was heavily in
volved in debt, It's earnings were small AID
\ its liked charges FAR exceeded it's income.
| The general purpose OF the pool was 70
equalze losses In other departments for
the smaller roads through the Income from
\ the Ellis Island business. The division OF
the trafrc made at that time has lasted
through the period Of the growth of the
Erie until the Lehigh Valley and the Lack
awanna, after grumbling FOR months. at
last withdrew from the pool.
The refusal of the Erie to consent 10 a
reduction In It's snare Of the immigrant
/ business complicated The situation but the
| big roads faced Il with what f. practically
double ultimatum. striking the Erie on
one hand and the Lehigh Valley and the
! Lackavanna on the other. The Erie -
! told that IL must have it's share OF the
business cut or GO into a fight 10 hold any
business at all. The Lehigh Valley and
the Lackawsnna are told that they must
! come back or fight. The rebels without
the fence and the spoiled child within are
oil waiting TO see II the biz stick Is TO be
used or only shaken.