The New York herald., 1874-12-10
LIGHrERAGE OF GRAIN.

LIGHrERAGE OF GRAIN.
The Produce Exchange and tho Rail-
roads.
The following communication has been re-
ceived from Mr.. Franklin Edson, the President OF
the Produce Exchange. in reference to the COM
munication lately published IN these columns
from Vice President Blanchard. OF the Erie Rail.
way. and the collateral questions relative to the
lignterage or grain. 1t VIII be found OF general
interest TO all ciuzens and property holders:-
To THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK PRODUCE
EXCHANGE INTERESTED IN THE RECEIPT AND
DELIVERY OF GRAIN AT THIS PoRT:-
GENTLEAEN-ln accordance with nv duty as set
forth IN section % OF the bylaws, and in view OF
and the commerce OF this city OF the matter OF
simplifying and facilitating the handing OF grain
a6rvng 2, rail- respec.my supmit a ior your
negotiations with the railway lines, together
with some suggestions and remarks upon the
terminating here have become carriers
OF grain, and the receipts from these
nnt until during sA the past winter one ins sions
discharged or time 200 cars Of grain per day.
Wnen IT Is remembered that each 200 car loads OF
this grain was consigned TO probably more than
twenty different merchants. and that each con-
signment or one car or more must be Kept sepa-
rate and that all this was done WI hout the aid OF
any OF the modern appliances In use in other cities
for handing grain, some idea may be had OF the
the grain and to the carrier, that must have at
tended the attainment OF such result. In the
midst Oh these almost overwhelming difficulties lt
was suggested TO by one or more OF the railway
managers tnat some thing should be done TO sim
plIly tle handing o. grain arriving 6y rail-
TINS excnange tin January, 1874, to confer with
the managers OF the three trunk lines, with q view
to maturing some plan Tor the accomplishment OF
the desired opJect. Many meetings were held and
negotiations were carried on from January
until April without the accomplishment OF
any result. On April Q, 1874, a petition signed
by eiRhty-one firms (members OF this Exchange),
was presen ed to the trunk lines requesting them
to build elevators at the terminal points OF the
several railroads, with suf1cient storage CAPACITY
to accommodate the business OF the roads and the
grain trade OF this city," This petition still re-
mains IN the hands Of the managers OF the three
trunk railway lines without protest, ana is con-
by TINS Exchange. ON the 7tn Of April, 1874 plan
was submitted to the grain trade BY Mr.. Knee
establishment OF New YORK grades OF Inspection,
IN accordance with which all grain arriving by
weighed and consondstea with grain Of the same
kind and quality Dy transfer direct to boats and
barges, 50 tina. all grain should be aloat, ready for
delivery to buyer, In accordance with the custom
soa was mmedas esried a' 70 sr0pTs spa
Of o the Exchange and shree railway Ix ecaIs
representing the three trunk lines terminating
mere WIN TINS proposition d as basis thus aoie
ishment Of system OF New York grades Tor all
kinds OF grain, pooling the same By delivery to
that grain thus graded ana pooled would be ready
for delivery afioat In accordance with custom.
for their adoption the following amendment was
proposed mo charge for elevation or unloading
boats sn,a nor any other charges, cha shall 90 imposed
cept as provide by the above rules" Tins amend
ment was carried and subsequently ratified. The
the negotiations were therefore, Tor time sus-
pended. 1t VIII be observed tnat We now hold
as pss0n psns q sSdns Ssa u9G ssn the Ss fs.rSs
2! es i. Sp1e,s9I dlMpxiisy AS e acc, ,sssom%oSs.s sSs
noating warehouses IN lieu OF stationary e:eva-
tors. As before stated. the nrst OF these proposi
| SO large number OF frms doing business IN grain
1t is entitled to the consideration which the ram
NJ an eaFy aav 90 ha
apparent CONFUSION Early In september the rail-
roads sent us notice tsst they would no longer
| ave car lots. meeting Of the trade was lmme-
diatey neld to consider this new order. aud con-
ference COMMITTEES appointed. which brought in
their recommendations, as contained In the ma
jorlty and minority reports. Tne report OF the
thorized expression OF this Exchange upon
the subjects which II treated. Viewing It
Railway addressed me letter, heretofore printed
in the HERALD wherein he explains the position
OF the railroads In refusing to pay the yexed
puts IT, that 1t has not heretofore oeen customary
with them; that they cannot anord 70 bear 1t, as
with them that Ii exceeds their duties as COM
mon carriers; and that 1t Is not In accordance
with usage elsewhere. In granting the privilege
to pool grain, thereby giving up It's identl subj
ctent safeguards should certainly be provided to
protect us hereafter against any new charges or
restrictions on the part OF the railway companies.
In the course OF further negotiations upon this
subject while am aware that 1t Is the fashion to
denounce railway companies as monopolies, as
composed oftnnumerable rings ana dealing un.
justly by those who have dealings with them at
the same time believe we can afford to act In
accordance with those golden principles which
lie at the foundation OF our institution, and which,
In becoming members OF she Produce Exchange,
We have bound ourselves to incucate, W.,
Just and equitable principles IN trade. My object
In laying these papers before the members OF the
grain trade Is that they may have all the docu-
mentS before them Tor their careful study ana con-
slderatlon; and IN the hope also that they may
very soon take steps to more fully discuss the
matter ana arrive at something that will accom-.
pllsn that winch has become necessity In this
port-viz., Q more simple aud speedy, less waste
ful and costly method OF handling grain arriving
Dy rail. FRANKLIN EDISON, President.
NEW YORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE, Dec. T. 1874
The minority report referred to az having peen
adopted BY the Exchange, embraces the folio wing
proposition. signed by Mr. Carlos cobb, and here
tofore reported, viz. IA recommendation to the
Exchange to reafirm Its acts OF July 80, 1874 and
leave the responsibility of the refusal OF the grad
.nl~o tnA uifaAaA Au