Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-16
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
New England Cotton Factories Unable
TO Compete with the SOuth in
the Western Earkets.
The Great Trunk.Line Railroads Asked
to Come 10 Their Aida Frank
Confession.

NEW York, March 15.-The Times, dis
cussiug the new railroad problem, says: The
subcommittee OF the dIy-goods merchants,
who recently petitioned for a Classification
of domestics, which are now shipped az
6rst. class freight, met in consultation al
Commissioner Fink's Office, yesterday, with
representatives Of the trunk line roads.
Among the merchants present were Messrs.
c. NJ. Bliss, L. g. Woodhouse, WIN. ID. Far
we'll, Of this city, and Mr.. Green, of Green,
Joyce & Co. of Columbus, o. The mer-
chants stated what changes they desired IN
classification, the argument in favor OF these
changes being based on the fact that, with
existing rates, they are unsbie TO compete in
Cincinnati, Louisville, st. Louis and other
ceuters for the Northwestern trade with
Southern manufacturers, who have now en-
tered that market "a
ACTIVE AND FORMIDABLE COMPETITORS.
The only relief the houses of this city can
see is in \ reduction Of the classification Of
domestics and q consequent reduction In
freight rales. Their requests were listened
to, and they were assured that they shou d
be given the most careful consideration. The
question on the surface seems 8 simple one,
and the sugg ss,ioR of the merchants plausible
az means of sfording them relief. IL
reality, the question is one Of the most
formidable, as we'll ss delicate, that the
traffic managers OF railroads have been
called upon 10 consider. 1t goes far beyond
the question of freight rates. 1t is ques
ton Of the future existence of the great cot
ton industries OF the New England States; it
iaa
BATTLE FOR LIFE
by those manufactures against their off,
springs in the South. The transportation of
these domestics to the West is very large
source of income 10 the trunk lines, and
therefore it is to their manifest interest to
foster the business and prevent all possible
eucroachments upon it in the markets of the
West. They find the young blood of the
Southern manufacturers and railroads foe
men such as they have never heretofore been
called upon to meet. During the past few
years New EDgland heads and hands, with
ample capital, have gone South, and these
looms and spindleS, on the ground where the
cotton is grown, have began on an extensive
scale the manufacture OF sheetIngs and shirt
ings Of quality in
NO WAY INFERIOR TO THE NEW ENGLAND
PRODUCT.
These goods eau be laid down in st. Louis,
Cincinnati, Louisville and other ceuters at a
less price than the New England manufac-
turers can afford. The SoutherHer is nearer
the Western trade centers, and SO can reach
consumers at less cost for freight than can
the New Highlander. There, too, he deals
directly with the consumer, while the New
Highlander, in accordance with time
honored precedent, deals through commits
sion house in this city. New Eogland man
ufacturers have discussed seriously the
proposition 10 take their business out of the
hands of mmission merchants in this aud
other cities, and dealing, as their Southern
competitors do, direct with the consumers.
Their agents would, however, cost them as
much as their commissions to the houses in
this city, and they fnd the initial freight
handicap and freight rates after manufsc-
ture staring them in the face. How then to
MAINTAIN THEIR SUPREMACY
in the markets of the West is a question
they are trying to solve. How to keep their
business 10 domestics aud their Western
trade in their hands, lie the aim OF the COM
mission houses. Just here the freight rates
loom up as a possible relief, and hence they
petition for reclassifcatiou and lower rates.
The rsilroad interest here enters as another
factor in the trying problem. Ii the railroads
OF the East reduce the Classification OF do
mestics, and thus lower freight rates, it would
certainly afford relief, provided the Southern
roads did not also reduce their classification
and lower their rates.