The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-27
NO DISCRIMINATION In RATES.
Business Men Deny that They Are Treated Un-
fairly by the Railroads Centering Here.

A few weeks ago, when the Mercantile Asso-
citation was considering the exposition question,
two leading merchants asserted that Indianapo-
lis suffered from railroad discrimination. A
prompt denial on the part of one or two compa-
MES followed, but the effect of the charges was
not altogether wiped out It has here and there
ever, Journal reporter yesterday found. after
visiting several Meridianstreet merchants. that
they had little If any fault to find to their
lations with the railway companies centering at
this point
Secretary Blake, of the Board of Trade had
heard Of no recent cases os where other cities
were favored with lower rates than indianapolis.
'It is true. said he, ''some rumors Of the kind
have been in circulation, but as they did not
come to me in my official capacity, paid no at
tention to them. IF any Indianap oils shipper
has any information in regard to discrimination
against him he can secure q speedy rectifcation
of the matter by filing formally with me the
requisite affidavit or bills of lading facts upon
which our railroad committee can act. This has
not been DONE and do not believe any serious
differences as to rates exist Two years ago a
Dayton. o., firm got its goods to Greencastle and
other points west of here at lower rate than
the Panhandle gave Indianapolis shippers. It
was speedily rectifed. A little later the Wabash
people gave rates on certain class of freight
from Noblesyille to Toledo at 9 cents. with
rebate of e while cents was charged from
Noblesville to this city, only twenty miles away.
Since then we have had no difference with these
roads, nor with any other, as far as I officially
know"
The representative of leading dry goods
house said his firm had no complaint, except as
to local rate to Brazil, which operated against
the trade somewhat ssBut on the other hand"
he continued, s'we do as well as Chicago in
reaching trade beyond local lines. Chicago has
a % cent rate to Brazil. while we have been
charged IS. This is explained partly by local
tariff, and the fact that the Chicago route is
coal road. Cars on this line go to that city
loaded, OF course, with coal, and
would come back empty If the company
did not offer cheap freight rates.
Altogether the roads are inclined to deal fairly
with Indianapolis merchants. We ship goods to
points in Iowa at rates as low as those offered
Chicago. Our trade extends within thirty five
miles of that city. Representatives OF all roads
have advised us to send our travelling men to the
furthest points, assuring US that they will give
US rates as low as can be given any competing
city This is being done, and the railroads are
fulfilling their promises After all, / do not
think there is anything upon which serious COM
plant can be made
"Have you heard anything in regard to Gin
cinnat being favored with cheap excursion rates
by the Big Four9'
sIt is probable that Cincinnati enjoys an ad-
vantage that way. Inc Big -Four Is virtually
Cincinnati road, and then again the city has
more attractions to the excursionsts outside of
the main purpose of shopping"
This was the general tenor of answers, the
merchants feeling satisfied with the treatment
they were getting and assuring the reporter that
when errors and differences occurred, they al
ways found the roads willing to adjust affairs in
the interest of Indianapolis. In one or two in
stances complaint was made against the 0. 81
NJ, but discrimination from this road was to be
expected. One or two firms found that the
Evansville e. Indianapolis road relieved them Of
the 0. g. Ms exactions The latter company
says it would like to charge indianapolis travel
ing here allow two names on commercial travel
ers mile tickets but there is disparity as to the
allowance OF baggage. The Eastern roads let
300 pounds go without charge, but the Indianap-
The merchants report trade fair, with an in
crease in some lines, especially dry goods, be-
yond the July sales of last year.