Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-29
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
A LIVELY MEETING YESTERDAY.

Unsatisfactory Report from the Railroad
Commissioner---The High School CUES
tion---A Lively MISUNDERSTANDING the
Subject to the People.
The regular meeting of the Chamber took
place yesterday morning, and as usual was
we'll attended.
A communication was read from the off
GERS of the Odd-Fellows' Colony, stating the
objects thereof, and that several thousand
documents showing the advantages, resour-
ces, &C., of the State had been distributed,
and asking the cooperation of the committee
of the Chamber on immigration, was read
and placed on file.
Also a communication from President
King and Secretary Judson of the State Ag-
ricultural Society, stating that the society
would meet in this city on the 9Th of Febru-
ary, for the election of officers for the ensu-
ing year, at which meeting each County Ag-
ricultural Society will be entitled to three
delegates, and societies composed Of two or
more counties, to four delegates.
communication was presented with a
splendidly illustrated copy Of the Centennial
History of Fall River, Mass. which was ac-
cepted with the thanks of the Chamber.
Also letter from q. S. HOLSTER, ESQ.,,
with the certificate of award of the United
States Centennial Commission to the Horti-
cultural society for the exhibition of 1l9
varieties of apples grown within the borders
of the State. The diploma embodying the
above fact is on exhibition in the Chamber.
THE QUINBY & HALLowELL COMPLAINT.
Governor Marshall, to whom the matter
had been previously referred, submitted the
following report and proposed communica-
ton Herewith:
ST. PAUL. Jan. 26, 1878.
To the Chamber of Commerce:
I The undersigned, to whom was referred the
letter of Quinby & Hallowell and the reply
thereto of Gen. Manager Sargent, of the
Northern Pacific railroad company relating to
charges on sleigh, would respectfully report
1 that the facts set forth by Mr.. Sargent in ex-
PLANTATION and Justification are true, as appears
from the Freight Tariffs of the Northern Pa
cifc, and the other railroads referred to.
Nevertheless, it appears to your committee
that the hardship that Messrs. Quiuby & Hal
lowell complain of, is real grievance, that the
Northern Pacific and other roads having simila,
tariffs, might remedy, by adopting a different
/ system of charges freight of the kind re
ferred to-a system which has the sanction of
and is in practice on some
OF the railroads: viz, to charge
sleighs etc, instead of one first class rate or
an arbitrary estimated weight.
i This would be more equal to shippers, and as
equitable, it is believed, to the railroads, as tn.
system under which the case before the cham
Der occurred. submit draft of communi
mending this change. like Recommendation
should be made to the other railroad companie
of this city, whose published tariffs are tn
same as the Northern Pacific.
Respectfully, WIZ. R. MARSHAL.
Committee.
COMMUNICATION.
To the Gen. Manager Northern Pacific Railroad
Company:
SIR: Referring to the complaint of Messrs
Qulmby d Hallowell, to which we have you
reply under date of 18th inst, we would re
spectfully ask you to consider the justice ant
expediency Of adopting the rule in practice b,
some OF the railroad companies, of charging
carriages, sleighs DC, instead of one first-elas
rate on the estimated or arbitrary rate, il
the case of Messrs. of Quimby & Hallowell o
5000. lbs. This would be more equal to ship
!. pers and probably as equitable to the Rail
road your present system
The manufacturers of this city suffer hard
ship in competing with Eastern manufacturers
who at certain seasons of the year, as shown il
your statement get very low rates on re
turning from the East, otherwise empty. It il
believed by this chamber that the change abov,
suggested would remedy the manifest hard
ships which our manufacturers suffer, as shown
in this case of Messrs. Quimby & Hallowell.
Respectfully.
!, Gen. Bishop explained the usages of rail
roads in the carriage of this kind of freight
Such articles were estimated at weight suf
ficient to cover boxing and allow for spac,
occupied.
Mr.. Banning said it would be more digni
fed in the chamber to lay the memorial o
petition to the company on the table. Th
communication of Messrs. Quinby and Hal
lowell had been referred to the railroad com
missioner, and by him returned to the Cham
Der with the request that they appeal to tn
company for redress. A law should b.
passed creating Board of railroad commits
] sioners with authority to fix rates and to en-
force them. It is not mere question of
J sleigh alone; it is one etfecting the transpor
tation of millions of bushels of wheat. Il
fact, the vital interests of the State are
stake.
Gov. Marshal said this was some miscon
ception about the matter. In fran
} ing tariffs, railroads desired t
make them equitable. The tari1
} makes an arbitrary rate of 5000 pound
upon all carriages and a covered carriage 0
1,6O0 pounds would be sent at the same rat
} as was charged for this sleigh of 400 pounds
If Messrs. @. and h. were engaged in tn
manufacture of all kinds of sleighs and car
| riages, it would about equalze itself. H
: thought that the exigencies of the case woul,
be met by referring the matter to the com
! pany and calling their attention to the un
equal operation of the present rule upon on
manufactures. Public opinion was the bes
} means of correcting abuses of this nature.
: Mr.. Drake said he believed railroad mel
, were of ordinary honesty and could be reliet
upon 10 do right. Some arbitrary rule wa
, necessary. There was no object in thei
, discriminating against one man in favor o
! another. He favored sending the paper as
} declaration to the company Of the chambe