The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-03
RAILROADS ENLISTED.
THEY PERCEIVE MUTUAL ADvANT-
AGES IN THE FREIGHT BUREAU.
A Recent Meeting Of the Two Interests,
Mutual Discussion, and the Import
ant Enterprise Is Forging Ahead With
the Cooperation Of All.

AS predicted In Tm APPEAL several weeks
ago, the Memphis Freight bureau Is destined
to be most material and beneficial acquisi-
ton to the business interests of Memphis.
Its organization has been on the most sys-
tematic and thorough methods and the con-
duct of its affairs placed in experienced
hands, Mr. S. Phillips who has spent his
business life in the railroad service, thus
enabling him to act with the utmost intel
ligcnco in the adjustment Of differences in
freight rates or losses between the members
OF the bureau, the railroads and steamboat
lines.
The bureau is only about two months old,
but so popular have It's advantages become
that already II numbers among its subscrb-
crs the majority Of the wholesale and retail
houses and manufactorics
The accommodation 10 shippers Of being
furnished ON the shortest notice with special
or general rates, is convenience largely to
be appreciated.
AT first some Of the rail- oads were inclined
tn regard the bureau rs inimical TO them.
but this idea has been di-pcllcd. While the
prime object Of the bureau Is to protect
Memphis merchants and shippers TO Mem
phis from unjust discrimination in freight
charges, as in favor Of other cities, IL is at
the same time beneficial to the railrCa Is
themselves.
For instance, when the Bald Knob railroad
started business few days ago. Commits
Sloner Phillips saw from their freight charges
that they were much higher than those of
the Kansas City road 10 parallel points for
some distance out IN Arkansas, thus barring
that road from the business nearer to il than
to the Kansas City road by reason Of the
more cxorbitant freight rate. II was also
an Inconvenience to shippers nearest the
Bald Knob from the fact that they were COM
PEELED ~ HAL their products n further dis
lance in order 10 transfer them 10 Memphis.
The commissioner at once addressed u let
ter To General Freight Agent Murray, of the
liald Knob road, and received the following
reply, dated at ST. Louis
Acknowledging the receipt Of your favor
OF May -, giving us a comparative state
mcnt Of rates ON classes AMI commodities To
points In Arkansas on our Memphis line
with those To opposite stations on the Kan
sns city, Springfield 4 Memphis railway.
We have given instructions to have ourutcs
put in line with those of the Kansas City,
Springfield 4 Memphis road, and will be
glad 10 send you copy Of our instructions"
In view Of the fugt that some Of the roads
did not seem fully Ia comprehend the scope
Of the bureaus work, or take over-kindly 10
the ends IL was ondcnyoring 10 accomplish,
the directors, through Commissioner Phillips,
a few days since invited the representatives
ut all railroad and steamboat lines In the
city 10 meet at tho commissioners office 80
that they might be given thorough insight
into the purposes for which the bureau WIS
created The gentlemen invited responded
quite chccriully, aud Commissioner Phillips
addressed them ns follows:
Gentlemen. Ia calling thi, meeting the
directors Of the Memphis Freight bureau
desire Ia have a friendly talk with the rail
road and steamboat representatives. They
desire To state explicitly the purposes for
which the bureau was established, tocXplnin
how it, interests arr largely identified with
thc interest, Ut the railroads aud steamboats,;
| To oblitcritc u possible amy erroneous inn
| prcssiuns which may prevail ihnt the bureau
| intends IA hamper the transportation lines
| Ia any way 10y undue scrutiny Of their af-
iairS, by attempting To impose any unrca-
| suunhlc regulations ur by cNaCting anything
incompatible with their rights a, shippers
aud customers Of rail and river lines In
| order therefore, that IL may Ice understood
what description Of an organization the
Memphis u eight bureau il will. on behalf
ol the directors state that IL isAn institution
chartered under the laws of the State Of
Tennessee. This Is the charter, aud NJ the
objects are stated Nv detail I will read from
II. tScc copy Of charter anncXcd)
You OILS re the bureau i constituted for
tn general purpose ui forwarding and pro-
tccting the Interests " the merchants aud
shippers ~ the city NJ Memphis, ~ well rs
of their patrons, IN all matters connected
with, or relating tn freight. freight rates and
transportation, aud embracing all business
with, aud all manner NJ claims against com
mon carriers, whether railroad or steamboat.
or other species of common carriers. and i'm
which said merchants. shippers aud patrons
may be concerned. The membership. com
prising nearly all the wholesale aud larger
retail houses Of this city fully understand
the objects sought by the creation Of the
bureau, aud have elected the following gen
tlcmcn NJ their first board OF DIRECTOR 10
see that what Is sought Is, II possible OBJ
tanned:
s. II. brooks. President.
John X. Speed, Nicc-Prpsidcnt
u. r. Porter Treasurer.
W. A. Eycrman. SECRETARY.
Drctors-J. NJ. Guuihar, A. II Trcadwcll,
John w. billiard. J. a. Gondwyn, T. T.. Van.
Nlect. J. r. jordan, II. e.. Thompson, W. 4.
Cartwright John johnson. 4. Mclntyro, W.
l.. Proudht, A. w. Ncwsom, 7. n. Trczcvant.
Executive Committec-S. H. Brooks, 4.
Mcintyre, A. II. TrcalNcll.
lNt NufINlNffs Mfltn HultfttlnN
rates ~ freight, making contracts for trans.
portalion aud adjusting claims u It's menu.
hcp, u doing what H. members require u 10
do and what Il Is legally empowered 90 do.
la keeping the burcau furnished promptly
with all regular aud special tariffs, aud such
other information PERTAINING 10 rates OF
freight as may be mutually beneficial, the
present method OF soliciting will become
limited, requiring lcs, labor on the part of
railroads, relieving the merchant 81 a tar
upon his time aud bringing 10 both gcncr-
ally, the advantages obtained by central.
izing II facilities.
In adjusting claims through the bureau
the transportation lines will have the al.
vantage Of receiving NJ all times such orig.
inal papers, when 1biainablc, ~ they require
aud not copies. N frequently sent them now.
owing to lack Of knowlclrr All necessary
correspondence relating ~ claims will. ID r
designed, be- carried on through the bureau
aud not by the claimants direct with The
railroads aud steanhNais a. has been the
custom hcrctoforn. The directors trust the
railroad aud stcamboli companies will cheer.
fully agree 81 this arrangement. As the an.
thorlcd ngrnt and representative OF the
commercial Interests ui Memphis the BUREAU.
Though It's director rrspcctfully rcuuircs
that all the claims oi iis member. forwarded
through IT, Office be settled Tor directly with
the bureau ON behalf ui the claimanis'
Investigation and comparison will also he
made from time 10 time a. 10 rtcs current
frum other cities 30 The sections sunliled by
Memphis, with the Wow of giving Informa.
ton 10 the home road, ~ 20 discriminn.
lions against thcm, that measures may bc