, 1877-02-17

CHICAGO, Feb. 15.-1 notlce IN your paper Of
tho 18th intt. the report OF what you turn
Ia very important mccting" OF tho Railroad
Freight Agents, to deciIe upon = schedule Of
freight rates between Chicago and European
ports. Any meeting or gathering Of such men
must, In the nature Of things, be an important
ono. Reports, schedules, tariff rates, aud
resolutions, 80 long "a they aro true and In
tended to bc guide to tho honest fuldllment
OF contract, cannot, at any TING, DO accu.
uulatcd IN o1cess; but when sipgly or unitslly
they haye tendency TO eurich one mau and to
ctIeat, rob and impovcrlsh others, they cease to
be commendabls or attractive. When mum.
bcr of freight agents mcct In council for no 10.
noccnt object 6t agreeing on flxcd tnte OF
freight 10 east, west, or the devil, 40 interest,"
Of kind. will surely b felt by the
outssdo world. Just now European snlppela
re exercised more on shs iab!llty 1 eaa resEon. @
on tho rates Of freight. From tho report Of the
meeting 1t IL clear shippers arc expected 70 be-
licye that the contract' OF railroad agents are
aa md endDE "aE % S. . ,ans os
perfect aud complete legal instruments for the
protection Of tho co1slguce and consignor,-as
correct tllls OF lading undoubtedly kc. On the
pcrienee I that some Il tho Chicago through bills
IL ladiDg arc practically worthless in England
as protection against injury to freight
terma, breach OF carrying CONTRACT anu
Worsc. 4 railrond Or fast llnc's
through bills Of ladtug, let them be ever 30 we'll
ornamcntc4 with banners, ships, and eagles,
and without tho signature Of ~ authorized
steamship agent, arc worthless documents to
purchaser OF conslRnce. They look very like an
invention TO enable ons 10 get ahead Of some.
tn4y, aud are an announcement to display OF
shafp practice. When bank hus ADVANCED on
or al Engllsh house has paid Tor propetty rep
resented by such pretended bills Of ladtug, aud
wheu on arrival Of the cargo there has been
found Rross fallure Of the terms to the freight
contract, it Is = hard case when the constgnce
hnda out that he can sus only for
hts. rights tho railroad In Anertca
law. law We who arc apested'' may we'll UT .9p
80 dull tn sight, so wise III Actton.h Probably
such condition to trade could not be found In
my other civilized country. II freight linea
lind that It u to &bctf interest to Secro through
i European frefGhts, the sooner they arrange for
bills of lading binding on the steamship Ut the
| port Of destination ltLe sounrr will cur direct
European trade be On Q true basis, aud 20 On to
increase. A!rcaly the injury done by these
spurious BILLS of ladIng has been very greaf, and
Ia Chicago, now wag their hesls Ut US and pass
BY. It Is to he hoped that our uewly-elccted
and genial otflrers Of the boatd Of Trade Will,
with what faculty they posseas, betake them,
sclves to III Impartial fnyc.tiRation Of this and
other uuaatlsfaetorY practlccs. know OF no
other external forcs which ought to have Within
It the intellectual insight, wisdom, tnoEal prtu.
| cple, aud courage to stamp out the organized
hypocElsies, shau.s, semblances, sharp PRACTICES
and confidence men that Que meets with III buA'
II every turn. Chicago cotamesce might soor