Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-16
Classification of Don,estics.


New York, March 15.-The Times, dis
cussing the new railroad problem, says the
subcommittee of the dry goods merchants,
who recently petitioned for a reclassifca-
ton for 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. Among the merchants present
were Messrs. G. n. Bliss, l.. G. Woodhouse,
VIM. D. Farrell of this city and Mr.. Green,
of Green, Joyce & Co., of Columbus, Ohio.
The merchants stated what changes they
desired in classification, the argument in
favor of the changes being based on
the fact that with existing
rates they were unable to compete with
Cincinnati, Louisvill and st. Louis and
other centers for the northwestern trade
with southern manufacturers who have
entered that market as active and formid-
able competitors. The only relief the
houses in this city can see is in a reduction
of the classification of domestics and con-
sequent reduction in freight rates. Their
requests were listened to, and they were
assured that they should be given a more
careful consideration. The question on
the surface seems a simple one, and the
suggestion of the merchants plaus-
lble as a means of affording them
relief. In reality the question is
one of the most formidable as well as del
icate the traffic managers of railroads
have been called upon to consider. It goes
far beyond the question of freight rates.
1t is a question of the future existence of
the great cotton industries of the New
England states. It Is q battle for life by
those manufactures against their offspring
in the South. The transportation of these
domestics to the West is a very large
source of income to the trunk lines, and
therefore it is to their manifest interest to
foster the business and prevent all
possible encroachments upon its
markets of the West. They find the young
blood of the Southern manufacturers and
the 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, land these looms and spindles in
the ground where the cotton is grown have
been built on an extensive scale. The
manufacture of sheeting and shirtings is
of quality IN no way inferior to the New
England products. The goods can be laid
down in st. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville
olhO .OILOL SSutcIS db d lcSS pTlC0 Indu Now
England manufacturers can afford.
The Southerner is nearer to the
Western trade centers and so
can reach consumers at less cost for
freight than can the New Highlander.
Then, too, he deals direct with consumer
while the New Highlander, in accordance
with time honored precedent, deals through
commission house in this city. New
England manufacturers have discussed
seriously the proposition to take their
business out of the hands of commission
merchants in this and other eastern cities.
and dealing as their southern competitors
do, direct with the consumers Their
agents would, however, cost them as much
as their commission to the houses
In this city, and they find the
initial handicap and freight rate
after manufacture staring them in the face.
How they are to maintain their supremacy
IN the markets of the West is the question
they are trying to solve. How to keep
their business in domestics and their West
ern trade in their hands is the aim of the
commission houses. Just here the freight
rate looms up as a possible relief, and
hence the petition for reclassifcatiou and
lower rates. The railroad interest here
enters as another factor in the trying prob
lem. If the railroads of the East reduce
the classification of domestics and TINS
lower freight rates, it would certainly
afford relief, provided the Southern roads
did not also reduce their classification and
lower their rates.