The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-31
COMPLAINTS ABoUr FREIGHT RATES.
Merchants Protesting against DETERMINATION
In Favor Of Other cities.


In a largely-attended meeting, yesterday,
the Chamber Of Commerce discussed the ques
ton whether the railroad trunk lines holding
charters from this State have the right to fix
freight rates that discriminate against the bust
ness Of this city. The President said thnt the
remarks should be based upon the following
facts 4 merchant in Chicago is charged by the
trunk lines 81 hundred from New York To
Chicago for Il certain class Of freight. Tho
same merchant can send tho same freight over
the same routes ut twenty-five cents less per
hundred. If he ships from Boston via New York
the lines mourning the expense Of carrying the
freight from Boston to New York and also Of
transshipment in this city. The sugar. tea and
grocery dry goods. metal and iron. and leather
trades were represented in the meeting.
F. b. Thurber said there was bond Of mu-
tual interest between the railroad companies
and the merchants and also an antagonism.
He argued that it was unfair for the railroads
to take tho lions share Of profits that should be
cQuitably divided with the business community.
Measures should b. taken by the Chamber OF
Comm rce to remedy the evil The interests OF
New York demanded tnrff at lcast MS low rs
those from and to other great seaboarl cities.
Special contracts 70 large shippers should not
b. allowed. The rates Of the pooling railroad
rinusly interfere with trade in heavy goods.
Chauncey VI, Depow. who, zane 70 make
Railroad. said that Mr.. Vanderbilt was willing
to confer with the bus mess men OF the city. md
g. do all in his power To- promotethe interests OF
the Commonwealth. According TO Mr. Dcpews
view. one OF the greatest detriments to the com
merce OF the city was the heavy port and wharf
charges. This did not exist in Baltimore and
Philadelphia. Mr.. Depew said: Our rails
run within forty feet Of the river piers. ard vet
the city will not allow us 10 cross those forty
feet. The city will not let us build pier unless
we aeccde 10 conditions which we cannot AFFORD
to fulfil"
Van vakenburgh Leavitt wrote to the prcsi-
dent Of the Chamber OF Commerce: " W. re-
ceiyed orders from house in ~. Louis to ship
their goods 20 Boston 10y Fall River line care OF
Merchants Despatch Every one knows that
MeIrhants' Despatch means New York Cen
tral Railroad. A manufacturing firm In North
Adams announce TO their customers that they
have arranged 10 snip goods 10 81. Louis nj 60
cents per hundred. New York rate is SIPS
per hundred These goods 70 by New York
Central Railroad from Troy"
Charles ;. Smith asked MIR. Dcpew to explain
Why goods could be shipped cheaper from
Boston than from New York. Mr.. Depew re-
pled that the railroad company could not afford
To- cut down rates from New York on nino-
tenths of its freight because one-terth was car
ried cheaper from Boston.
II was resolved that "a special committee Of
commercial interests u this city. to be known
az the Committee on Railroad Transportation
of the Chamber Of Commerce. be appointed to
inquire into and report to the Chamber upon
the relations existing between the commerce Of
this city and the lead ing railroad lines connect
INK New York with the West. and what meas
urrs are necessary 10 insure for the commerce
OF this city permanent and reasonably equitable
rites Of freight" the Chair appointed COM
mlttee OF seven.