The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-28
MERCHANTS AND SHIPPERS
Hold Meeting and Take Steps to Prevent
Railroads Discriminating Against
indianapolis

About nifty manufacturers and shippers OF the
city met last night, by invitation, in joint con
ference with the governors of the Board of
Trade, Hon. A. d. Lynch in the chair. The
meeting, as heretofore announced, for the
purpose OF canvassng in limited way the
grievances of manufacturers and shippers, and
TO secure il possible association committee
within the Board of Trade whose business it will
be to look after their interests. Mr. Lynch
called for expressions from the visitors,
to which very general response was accorded.
Colonel A. d. 6treight recounted, at some length
the condition of freight rates with respect to
Indianapolis and the manifold ANNOUNCEMENTS
with which manufacturers have to deal under
the present arrangement. Taking the produc-
tion a chairs, for example, he said that the raw
material can be shipped to Boston and reshlpped
TO chicago, ready for market, cheaper
imam the manufactured article
DS shipped from Indianapolis to
Chicago: All goods, he said ordered from this
city by Kansas City dealers are ordered shipped
via chicago. because the freight is lower by that
imam by direct route. All roads discriminate
against this city in favor OF Chicago west and
SSiLcinnatl south He said, further that prIvi-
reyes are accorded TO nearly all other cities that
are denied to Indianapolis, in the matter of
stopping loaded cars in transit. To illustrate,
he said that carload of hardwood
lumber, wanted ct Burlington. VT, can
be billed Through to Boston, to which
place a Burlington firm desires to ship
a load or OF pine. At Burlington the requisite
change of lumber is made without additional ex-
pense, nut II like privilege is asked at Indian
apolls, stopping the car one day will cost $50 ex-
ira. After citing other incidents, Mr.. Streight
concluded by saying that the railroad authorities
here would be fair with Indianapolis people if
they could, but that men in higher positions COM
PEELED this unjust discrimination. He suggested
that local authorities should present this matter
to the managers of the respective roads at their
next general meeting.
Judge L. B. Martindale, j. A. Closer, Otto
Steenhan, L. c. Hopkins, and many others made
MD Murfi dala infp
the following resolution, which was unani-
mousy adopted, by visitors and board separate
ly, and then by Joint ballot:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this meeting
tnat the committee on manufacturing shall
hereafter be designated the committee on
manufacturing and shipping.
THAT 1t shall consist of fifteen members, to be
appointed from members engaged in manufac-
turing IN and in the vicinity of indianapolis,
witt with power to make rules and regulations, sub
Ject to the approval of the board.
"That they shall have power to appoint sub
committees from their number to perform such
du ii as they may assign.
THAT prominent duty of said
committee of fifteen shall be
to protect the manufacturing and shipping in
terests of Indianapolis against unfair railroad
discrimination.
"Resolved, That the committee on bylaws be
instructed to report such amendment or amend
mtnts OF the bylaws as may be necessary the
carrying OF the above proposed change into ex-
ecutiOn,"
The feeling among the visiting manufacturers
ana shippers is one of confidence the purpose
and ability OF the Board of Trade TO render ma
terlal aid in abolshing the complained of griev-
ances, and the general sentiment is that an or
ganzatiOn within the board Will be
much more effective than separate
organization could possibly be. The
committee will report the action of the joint
meeting at the regular session of the Manufac-
turers and Shippers Association, at the Board
OF Trade rooms, next Friday evening. There is
hardly doubt that last nights action will be
eoncurred in, and the association will consider
II advisable to resolve Itself into Board of
Trade committee.