The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-03-22

New York, March 15.-The Times, dis |
cussing the new railroad problem, says:
1.-THE subcommittee of TIE dry goods mer-
chants, who recently petitioned for reclassif- |
cation of domestics, which are now shipped
as first-class freight, met in consultation at
Commissioner Fink's office yesterday with
representatives of the trunk-line roads. |
The merchants present stated what changes |
they desired in the classification, the argu.
ment in favor of these changes being based
on the fact that with the existing
rates they were unable TO compete in
Cincinnati, st. Louis, Louisville, and other
centres for the northwestern trade with
Southern manufacturers, who have now
entered that market as active and tormld-
able competitors. The only relief houses in
this city can see is the reduction in classi-
| fcation of domestics and consequent reduc-
tion In first rates. These requests were
| listened to and they were assured that they
should be given most careful consideration.
/ The question on the surface seems
a simple one, and the suggestion of
| the merchants plausible as a means OF
afTording them relief. In reality the ques.
tion is one of the most formidable. as well
as the most delicate the traffic managers
of the railroads have been called upon 20
consider. 1t goes far beyond the question
! n
ture expanse Of the great cotton industries
of the New England states. lt is a battle
for life by those manufacturers against
their ofsprings in the south.
The transportation Of these DO.
mestics to them is a very large source OF
income TO the trunk iinesi aud therelore y
is TO their manifest interest 70 foster the
business and prevent all possible encr1ach-
ments upon Il in the markets OF the west.
They find the young blood OF the southern
rnanufaci urers and railroads fOemen such
a. they never have heretofore been called
upon 70 meet; During the past lev year year
New England hesds and hands, with
ample capital. have gone south.
and these looms and spindless,
/, on ground where the cotton L
growing, have begun on an extensive fchls
! the manufacture Of sbeeIings and shirtings
: Of a quality in no way Inferior 20 the nss
: England product. These goods can Be lad
! doWn in st. Louis, Cincinnati, BOuisyilis
! and other centres st q isss price than NeS
! Fnrisud manufacturers can aii0rd. The
! eonth il nearer the western trade centres
? md 90 can reach consumers ~ les cost 10
! freight than can The New Bnglander. Then
! aiuo he deals direct with the consumer
4 vith e-hoDOrrd precedent
\ deais through commission bOuse'
, IN this CITY New England marutacturer
Z nave discussed propositions - tske tbei
/ | business out of TIE henos oi tne cnfnnls -
= sion merchants of this and other eAEferi
: rifies and dealing. as their southern csm
; uatitofs do. direct with the consumer
= Their AGENTS would, however, cost them =
= rrurh ~ their commissions - TIE h0nstt I
4 fhis citv. and tbey fDd The initial freigh
|, 80 handicap freight rntes ore
4 erarinr them IN The iac.
;. Hou. then. 20 rnnintsin the sufrernacr
N ti,s rusrEet % the Eest. i The que-ti1n -
I -. e--srr ~ arr-s Hoe - Feer tnt
a .--S.i-e.s IN drues-irs aud her wssler
= r~.1s IN rnefr rar'is i the sirn = =.
81 ~rmuittee. I1-- here IN frelEi
b. re lcoms o@ne
b. lirf lard nenrr tne r--l-1
- - .If-afir~ ard lower ratea. u
- -r-I~nsf irre-esI rere erte-s - arrl - =
ii rr- IN rt.e ~ ~ r-.tIsrn- lftre rEll-u1
NJ r.rtrs east rerinct CO. tc4--1r - of'l..s-
~ 80 f-rs Io~er trsirtt rstes- = urrlc =,
- 800 .lr.I-F rf - $1,000 s-rtt's-r -
y Fif ~ -, - ~ -. 81 r- 80 -s-a =
n. their r-lss-