The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-29
THE PRACTICE OF UNDERBILLING.
Board Of Trade Men Want 1t Discontinued, as
They DO that of Raising Weights.

The Board of Trade held meeting yesterday
after the regular grain call of the day. for the
purpose of discussing the question of underbll-
ing and of taking action in connection with
other com mereial exchanges over the country in
the matter of bringing this subject to the at
tention Of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
It seems that it has been quite common prac-
tice for some merchants to underbill carloads
of grain. and much cornmoner practice for the
railroads TO raise the weights earss generally
that they handle, in order to meet this system
of undertaking. so that much confusion and dis
satisfaction has arisen on both sides account
of the evil. Many grain merchants were COM
PEELED to underbill in order to meet less serfrpu-
lous competitors. When VIM. Scott called the
meeting to order resolutions calling for the APP
pointment of committee to investigate the
matter under consideration, which were sub
mittedsst previous meeting by Mr.. Wooden,
of j. A. Closer e Co., were again read.
Dir. Wooden, IN favoring them, said that the
railroads were now trying 60 have the Inter
state commerce Commission make it a penalty
10 under bill grain. All grain men daprecate
the practice, and would have it stopped It they
could. Boards OF trade all the country
Recognizes mat something must be done. and
many of them have already taken the inltiatory
steps in the matter But it is manifest in
justice, he continued. grain shippers TO have
such clause as IS proposed by railroad compa-
MES put II that law, and leave the grain men no
remedy against the systematic raising of
weights that is now generally practiced by.
the companies. He thought clause ought also
be inserted in the law compelling the railroad
companies to deliver the exact amount of grain
mentioned in the y-biil. This would stop the
raising of weights which the grain men desire.
He suggested that committee be appointed to
prepare suitable memorial emoodying the
views of the board on this subject, to be pro
sented at some subsequent meeting.
General Fostor favored this plan. He thought
the whole matter as it stood. source of endless
confusion and dissatisfaction. and that it had
tendency to destroy the morals of trade. Then
the merchant who is conscientious has
chance against his less scrupulous neighbor who
practices underbilling. Some railroad com
panies had winked at the practice In order TO get
business. It is dishonesty all around, pure and
simple, and ought to be stopped as soon as
possible.
William Cooper, of Miner & Cooper gave
several instances where the firm had been vic
timized by the railroad companies practice of
raising weights. Other members of the board
EXPRESSED themselves quite freely. all agreeing
that some change must be made AT the sug-
gestion of Mr.. Scott, the committee was in
structed to confer with . similar committee to
be appointed by the railroads, both to present
their respective sides of the question to the
board of governors at early day, when some
final disposition will be made in the matter.