New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-04
RAILWAY INTERESTS.
FREIGHT POOLS AND RATES.
FINK TxpLNNs THE UTILITY OF
DIvERTING FREIGHTs.

COMMISSIONER FINK FxpLuNs THE UTILITY OF
DIvERTING FREIGHTs.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: I have read with interest your edlto-
1ial in t0-days TRIBUNE upon "Freight Pools aud
Rates" Some additional explanation seems to be neces-
snry in order that full understanding OF the subject
NAV be had This railroad companies common carriers
are obliged TO forward freight their own road when
1t is offered to them; but when they engage for tho
accommodation shippers to assume the responsibility
forwarding freight to points OF destination oeyond the
terminus Of their road and thus become forwarders
In addition to being common carriers they becOme also
interested In the selection OF the connecting roads over
which the height to be forwarded; as much So not
more than the shipper; and for this reason they must
have voice I'm that selection This arises from the Tact
that railroad company, acting forwarder Issues
an deliver the freight at the point Oh des-
beyond the line of its own road This Involves
great responsibility railroad giving through ei VI
lading practically becomes responsible for the connecting
roads over which bill adng issued Should any
damage occur the goods mast know that such con-
necn roads are able make it good The connecting
roads become agents OF the road Issuing the Dill OF
adng they collect the money due that road ana hence
ii must have confidence in the ability and management
OF those roads carry out the Obligations which are as
sumed Oh their behalf.
1t is upon these grounds that the railroad companies
claim the right when shipments made beyond their
own line OF road through bills OF ladng upon the
condition only that they may select the roa'e over
which they viii forward the freight. II the shipper OBJ
ects this condition. the remedy is In bis own hahds
He can consgn mis- shipments to the terminus OF road
and make arrangements there 10 pay the road Tor It's
service and transfer his freight to any other road he
may select He has of to forge the advantages
which he would enjoy from the system OF through bill
ing place thereof he enjoys the privilege OF selecting
ms own route without any interference the part OF
the railroad companies fully exercising the rights guar
anteed to him under the common law
Now referring the injunction taken out BY the Con-
tinentaI Sugar Refinery Company against the diversion
of freight al Chicago directed by Commissioner Midg-
ley alluded your editorial 1t perfectly plain that
II tue bill ls1ing did contain condition by which
the railroad companies reserved the ngnt OF diversion,
upon objection being made by the shipper to such
diversion, his request should be coupled with.
There can be no deence 10 this the part OF the
railroad companies But in order to furnish no ground
Tor future inunctons 1t Ia oBly necessary TO notify
the complainant Boston that tie railroads west OF
Chicago will be parties 10 through bills OF ading
except condition that they may select the
routes Chicago by which the freight shall be for
wared and this condition Is not accepted by the Con
tinental sugar Refinery Company they have right to
ship TO locally and reshp from there by any
route they NAV select Tina OF course would put the
shipper To considerable Inconvenience lie Wond hot
recc We through hill of adag from Boston 20 Kansas
CITY winch Of value TO him. bat the he Is rec
lecting the route.
Now word further IN regard 10 the for these
diversions and the results to obtained thereby. The
case the Continental sugar kc0uery Company may dc
used as a nt illustration OF practical questions in-
VOWED For months 1t has been known and complaints
have been by competing roads that the Continental
sugar Refinery Com pany receiving special rates on
sugar from Boston. The method usually adopted in
SUCH eases by pool organization in order to break up
this unjust fayortsm divert the freight that Is
supposed to be carried at lower rates from the
toutcs carrying to other routes over which
fn tariff IA charged The fact that the coasignors in
This case insisted strcnuousy shipping over par
ucnlar route when ali he routes wcsi OF Chicago are
clrs lered to ali Ike In point OF accommodations and
m5, Is presuinpye evidence mat tne Charges maze III
tais well f0unGed
Now TIE OBJECT Of dycrting freight H. as have shown
ip tueaus-anO the Only pfar-
tc~bc means thAt the idItJsl '"lPuues ~ - 20 t
able 10 dcVae-to MAINTAIN lhc rntdDi' Hru 'aIIH
fates aud put all Shippers upon iO0ng 81 equalty'
H. the success OF tas tue railroad companies and the
public alike Interested. Ihe most btter OoiOhlhls
have bu malr by tue people agalnSt rr bdu manage
neu N account uf the unjust uis, animation caused ny
iayurtsm Of the kiut winch supposed 10 nave exsed
Chrayo ny rail and lake Is ~ cents per 100 pounds,
when certainly - low rae as can REASONABLY DE
I'D or de,rcu The pu0ic II Interest," IA the main
tanning Of this rate alike 10 all shippers Is Just tnat
.u.,r rHurry VA Boston saOud enjoy "A feuucdOh OF 4
cent. per 100 pounds as II supposed 10 nave pccn mae
easel, when pcrlaps III DVs.oh vi
lie shippers from New IOrk, elpaia and ia tim0re
ave held ~ 10 fu tariff rate oAJulJ the rail-
road comp while they use only legitimate means
10 break up ms Injustice nnd fANOlliism no. DC
.upuOrtcd ~ pubic senunentf Might they not even
us taa instead of the courts interfering IA favor OF
oAal, the methods adopted by Tue tHi'Icsu
nou,rant 60 suppress these should Ialaed
Yer York sept 3, 1883. AI.BERr FINK.