Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-13
CHEAPER FREIGHT RATES
Demanded by the New York Dry Goods
Trade for
Domestic Cotton and ether Low.Grade
Fabrics.

New YORK, June 12-The.Stste Railroad
Commission continued its session to-day.
Chsres S. Smith presented on behalf of the
dry goods trade their views with regard to
the proper classification If domestic cJtton
and other low-grade fabrics on the Western
tariff. Their report showed hat the several
changes in the classification of these goods
were recommended principally in the case Of
domestics, piece goods Of cotton Schedules
were annexed 10 the report, showing that the
consumption of cotton in the United States
had increased from 73l ,725 bales 10 1865 10
1854, $50 bales in The last fiscal year, while
exports OF M manufactured goods had increased
FROM 1,lS0,7S6 yards to IA, 520,074 yards
during the same tinaO. The present clssaifi-
cation of dry goods has been ia existence
sircs 1865, and it is claimed that the lower
| ing OF the classification was dem 1uded by
the increase Of business only. The railroad
represented was the New York Central and
| Huison River, Mr.. D.pew and President
Hayden being present. They opposed the
| reduction demanded, on the grvund that cot
| ton goods were not competitive, and are sim.
| ply used for the pGrpo of a,trsciog trade
| TO the warehouses OF Western mi6dle men.
| There is no profit on IT,. N now, and any re-
duction would simply allow Western Healers
to sell at lower price. No one but Western
| ID.
nor would they to any epprecis bic extent.
Mr., Woodhouse, OF the Dry Goods Com.
mittee, argued that cheap cotton fabrics
should be placed on the same basis as grain.
Mr.. Green, Of Columbus, o., said the chip
mepls of his firm Of the cheaper fabrics
| shoSed in proportion 10 the whole shipments
percent igs OF 81 26 in tonnage and AZ Z
in value. The next high grade dry goods.
| including wOOieus, manufactured goods, etc,
| gave in tonnage percentage of 1864 and in
value 27.01. The third class, such as no.
| lions, small wares, etc, g percentage of ton
mage Of II and OF value OF 247 and Il DOR
! and table oilelosbs percentage Of tonnage
| of 05 10 and Of zAlt--.-+-ct.oo. lie called
turreuron 10 the fact that nearly all the
articles on the proposed schedule submitted
| BY the committee had been reduced from the
FIRST class 10 the fourth cisss, or the lowest.
This would Involve reduction from seventy
| five cents to thiTty-iEe Cents per 100 pounds
on through freight rates to Chicago No re-
| duclion was recommended in higher priced
| goods, it being usual to ship those in cases.
Other low-priGsd goods packed iu cases and
| shipped in bulk were lowered IN classjfca
| ton. He thought the growth of the Eastern
| dry goods trade in the West showed that
| freight rates had not been unfavorable,
| though he thought further reduction pos.
sble without injury to the railroads.
1t was decided that the railroad men
| should submit TO the Commission a new
| schedule OF rates ia accordance with their
| idea. This will be submitted to Commits.
sioner Fink, to be aid before Joint exscu.
| tive committee of the trunk lines
Further hearing on the freight question
WE postponed two weeks.