The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-17
FREIGHT DETERMINATIONS.

COMPLAINTS OF ROCHESTER, MILLERs AND
OTHERS AGAINST THE ADVANTAGEOUS RATES
GIVEN BY RAILWAYS TO WESTERN SHIPPERS.
ROCHESTER, n. y, August IL. 1879.
The Hepburn Legislative committee charged with
the investigation of railroad freight determinations
met here this morning Messrs. Hepburn. Baker
aud Lowe present. H. p Laning is counsel before
the committee for the Central Railroad Company
and ex-Judge Shipman represents the New York.
Lake Erie and Western Railroad. John II. Martin
dale and Simon Sterne appear for the milers and
the New York Board Of Trade. though the latter
not present to-day.
James A. Kinds. miller. was the first witness.
He testified For two years past the milers here
have been losing money. and We attribute 1t to un-
favorable freight rates; mills depend on Vest
en wheat. but the rates from Milwaukee hero are
more than from Milwaukee to New York; we had to
pay large rate to New York. and lost our jobbing
trade in competition. the West had fifty cents q
barrel the advantage; can give other reason for
the loss of trade; our location is favorable and
former customers they prefer TO deal here, but
the lower rate from the West prevents;
for wheat from Milwaukee to Rochester aud about
20 cents to 20 cents on to New York. the repo rted
rate then from Milwaukee to New York on -four
was. all rail. 81 cents; tho difference barrel of
-four would be 80 cents against Rochester, the
difference against Rochester u car load of -four
from Milwaukee would be S43 20 at that time; do
not know that millers here have special rates the
Central Erie; mill cheaper in Roches-
ter than they can in Milwaukee mills aud power
cost less; give us pro rates and do not want
to change my location as miller; 1 have had
duction of cents on the Erie.
RUINoUs 40 ROCHESTER, MILLING.
James NJ. Whitney testified The discrimination
in freight rates against Rochester runous the
Nrxv Nnr frn1 aIA
reason tor it except freight discrimination; l
understand that Western millers have better rates
than our milers; when was in the business there
eleven mills on Browns race, there are
six we used to figure that the twcnty-one mills in
the city produced $50 barrels day; they more
in the winter than when l was in the business;
think there is not half much wheat grown
in Western New York as there used to be; it is
principally consumed by country mtllers. who sell
at home; the place Is avoided by large manufac-
turers because OF this discrimination in freight
rates.
NJ +. Berste testifed-I am a miller and have
been in business here since 1874 in 1874 the busi-
ness was prohtab e. bought largely in the Roches-
ter market OF New York wheat and sold in New Eng
land, Southern New York and Eastern Pennsylvania;
the year ending with June. 1877. the last profit
barrels this year it will foot up about ~ 900;
think the falling off about the last year;
the main reason is that We not able to compete
with Western millers; one reason Is that the wheat
grown mere is pot good and We can't buy Western
wheat profitaby at the present freight rates; have
known through rates to Utica from Milwaukee to be
lower than the combined rates from Milwaukee to
Rochester and from Rochester to Utica could
compete with the West IL the rates were the same.
FLUCTUATIONS IMPERIL PROFITS.
c. i. Pond. miller, testiied:-We cannot deliver
grain flour East low they from the
Western States mill power here costs $50. 900. while
out West it cost 100000; yet Determinations
have killed our milling business; we do not
sell in New York commission;
sell at the first chance cannot
afford to hold flour because of the fluctuations
of rates. which imperil profits; under such circum-
stances 1t is only question OF time when the local
milling business will be killed. except for the local
market.
Charles Salmon shipper. said cannot even
afford bring superior Genesee wheat here and ship
it to Liverpool when Minnesota ihillers could get
much lower rates for the same distance.
Adjourned until Monday.