New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-24
RAILWAY INTERESTS.
COMPLAINTS OF DRY-GOODs RATES.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS HEAR ARGUMENTS
OF MERCHANTS AND COMMISSIONER FINK.

OOMfLAlNI0 VI Dh1-OOOD hAlro'
THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS HEAR ARGUMENTS
OF MERCHANTS AND COMMISSIONER FINK.
The State Board of Railroad Commissioners
guye hearing yesterday to the complaints Of
goods merchants against the present rates on that class
OF merchandise. The railroads were represented by
Commissioner Albert Fink, Chauncey NJ. Depew, H. j.
Hayden third vice president Of the NewYork Central,
and r. c. Vlas, traffic manager OF the New-York Lake
Erie and WesterfRarosd Numbers OF prominent dry
goods men were present Those merchants some time
ago conferred with the executive committee Of the trunk
lines on the subject OF lower rates Their petition
was denied. and subsequently the case was
taken TO the Railroad Commissioners The
changes in rates sought low grades
Of goods. letter read from Marshall Fold Co...
Parson, Pire Co. and other prominent Chicago dry
goods houses asking better classification Of dry
goods.
Charlie, g. Smith submitted statement in behalf ofthe
merchants. He said that the railroad classification
schedules were the growth OF wel-considered and
iarly applied principles OF justice. The freight rate
on a carload OF coffee sugar from NewYOrk to Chi
cago, rstcass would cost shipper $40 The freight
carload OF domestic drygoods the basis OF
rate would cost the shipper $3.50 The domestic goods
would load car to its full capacity the cost OF hauling
and handling the freight the same as In the case OF
sugar coffee At the present tariff 1t cost on the
average to deliver bale Of sheetngs por cont on
lis cost from New-York to Chicago 4 per cent
10 81 Louis, and Gig per cent TO ST.
Joseph. Mr. Smith charged that the false representa-
ton or the contents of packages which some shippers
bad practiscd wnked ut by railroad employees aud
that the honest shippers the sufferers. The first
class freight lie said paid money to the rail-
roads for their service the fourth class, with only
about One-ha OF the labor and cost OF service Similar
arguments were urged by l.. G. Woodhouse and other
dry goods men.
Commissioner Fink then took the stand. lie IL still
somewhat lame from his recent Illness with MUSCULAR
rheumatism, but otherwise looked we'll He conceded
promptly that there principle governing the
classification OF freight by the railroads They followed
the rule Of making that the traffic would stand
The roads obliged to carry grain aud Othor food
products at low profit, at no profit at all
sometimes at loss II the cost o. transportation
was The cement applied 10 the making OF rates IN many
cases the wateTrOue3 would rob the railroads OF con-
petitve traffic production would bs dmlnished III
large districts This OF discrimination bene-
hcia 10 general trade and to the people II the exact
cost OF Transport a;iOn, with reasonable profit added,
should De charged each article, without reference 10
its nature. farmers would be unable 10 send gram To
Europe, the business interests Of New York would be
ruucd aud the goods trade would share in that ruin
" We charge twice aa mucn u the average cost on
may carry tae other thre"qu9Ttcrs at less thdn
cost We do this on the Irucpc tat tue dry gOOus
men sell their coarse domestic goods Tor Ht,lc CT
10 PROFIT They 10 II to get custom IN other directions,
ana 80 do We The same principle governs all the rail-
roads IN the world"
Mr. Fink also testified that about 20 per cent Of the
freight charges OF the roads tn pay the IN
irrrst on AZ investment OF per cent Iue capital III
vested IN railroads. Including wa.cr did not exceed
S11OOO mile. lie considered tnat the reduction In
rates asked by nc drySOOds men would not benefit the
cJnHuiner
The commissioners adjourned Tie hearing in the case
70 next month. Their .oilugs IN tai. city ale nov
ended fog the present