Show REDUCTION IN FREIGHT RATES w CHICAGO March 4The Times this morning says Chicago merchants are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the proposed reduction in freight rates to the Pacific Coast which was announced in the Times nearly a week ago It has already been stated that the Central Pacific Pa-cific people have not concurred in the resolution to reduce rates which was adopted by other lines in the Transcontinental Transcon-tinental Association and which have been agreed to by the lines between Chicago and the Missouri River The very apparent ap-parent reason for the Central Pacifics I I action is that a reduction from this city I would give toChicago merchants a share i b of the California trade which is now II J practically monopolized by New York jobbers The Sunset route Central Pacific via j New Orleans has persistently refused to pool its business with the trunk lines nor will it be a party to any kind of agree I ment to maintain rates By cutting the j tariff on California freight which it can do profitably on account of its steamer line Ii from New York to Orleans it has been enabled to secure a large proportion of the t through traffic between New York and San Francisco The all rail lines have i endured this condition of things as long j as they will and it can be accepted as settled that a resolution to reduce rates s from Chicago to San Francisco will be carried into effect within a few days 91 I A prominent transcontinental manager was asked yesterday what effect the Central Cen-tral Pacifics action would have uIt is safe to assume said he that it will < not thwart the proposed reduction in rates from Chicago to the Pacific We shall i put the rates into effect as soon as necessary c neces-sary The preliminary arrangements are perfected and we will soon see what the Central Pacific will do If the Huntington i w Hunting-ton system persists in refusing to concur y harmony will cease to exist in the Transcontinental Trans-continental and the pool will have to be dissolved I am inclined to think however that Huntington will regard re-gard theinterests of his Central Pacific as equally important with his sunset route and will not jeopardize the welfare of the J il m former ia order to build up thQ latter 1J J 1 |