The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-22
A Hard Nut 10 Crack.

NEW YORK, March 15.-The Times,
discussing the new railroad problem,
says the subcommittee of the dry
goods merchants who recently petit
toned for a Reconsideration for dOmeS-
tics which are now shipped as first
class freight met in consultation at
Commissioner Finks' Office yesterday
with a representative of the trunk
line roads. The merchants present
stated what changes they desired in
the classification, the argument in
favor of these changes being based on
the fact that with existing rates they
were unable to competein Cincinnati,
Louisville. st. Louis and other centres
for the northwestern trade, and with
the southern manufacturers who have
now entered that market as active
and formidable competitors. The
only relief the houses of this city can
see is the reduction in the classified
ton of domestic5 and cOnSe-
quent reduction in freight rates.
Their request were listened to and
they were assured that they should
be given the most careful considera-
ton. The question on the. surface
seems a simple one and the sugges-
ton of the merchants plausible as a
means to afford them relief. In re-
atty the question is one of the most
formidable as well as delicate, the
trai6c managers of the railroads have
been called upon to consider. 1t goes
far beyond a question of freight rates.
1t is question of the future eX-
pense of the great cotton industries of
the New England states. 1t is bat
tie for life by those manufacturers
against their offspring in the south.
The transportion of these domestics
to them is a very large source Of in
come to trunk lines, and, therefore,
it is to their manifest interest to foS-
ter the business and prevent all pos
sible encroachmentS upon it in the
markets of the west. They find the
young blood of southern manufac-
turers and railroads foemen such as
they have never heretofore been
called upon to meet. During
the past few years New England
heads and hands, with ample capital,
have gone south, and these looms and
spindles on the ground where the cot
ton is grown have begun on an extern
sive scale the manufacture of sheet
ings and shirtings of quality in no
way inferior to the New England
product, and these goods can be laid
down in st. Louis, Cincinnati, Louis
vile and other centers at less price
than the New England manufacturers
can afford. The south is nearer the
western trade centers, and so can
reach consumers at a less cost fol-
freight than can the New Highlander
Then, also, he deals direct with the
consumer, when New England, in ac-
cordance with time-honored prece
dent, deals through commission
houses in this city. The New Eng
land manufacturers have discussed
the proposition to take their bushes;
out of the hands of commission mer
chants, in this and other eastern cities
and dealing, as their southern com
petors do. direct with the con
suners. Their agents would, how
ever, cost them as much as theil
commission houses in this city, anC
they find the initial freight handicap
and freight rates, after manufacture
staring them in the face. How theI
to maintain supremacy in the mark
cts of the vest is the question thel
are trying to solve. How to keel
their business in domestics and theil
western trade in their hands is thu
aim of the commission merchants
just here the freight rate looms up a
possible relief and hence the petition
for re-classification and lower rates
The railroad interest here enters a
another factor in the trying problem
If the railroads of the east reduce tn
classification Of domestics and thu
lower freight rates it would certainl.
afford relief. provided the southern
Fu1-H do not also reI.-lE class ''c1<1cl