Omaha daily bee., 1888-11-04
THE VICTIMS OF EXTORTlON.
Iowa Jobbers Sustained In Their
Charges Against the Roads.
THE COMMISSIONERS RULING.
Determination an Interstate Ques-
tion Beyond the Control of tho
Board-Hawkeye Hap
,. penings.
The Iowa Jobbers.

DEs MONIES, Ia, Nov 81. Especial Telegram
to The BEE. The noted cases brought by
the jobbers of Davenport, Dubuque and Bur-
lington before the railroad commissioners
were decided to-day. They charge the roads
with conspiracy to maintain high and extor-
tionate rates, and discrimination against
Iowa cities. The commissioners find as fol-
lows:
1. The charge of conspiracy is, not sus.
tanned.
g. The charges of discrimination being in.
terstate, are beyond the control of the board.
g. The charge of unjust cxtortionate rates
is fully proven by evidence and sustained by
the board, which adopts the rates in the
classes, and A, d, c, ID, and
Il classes of the commissioners sche dule Of
June 2s with the addition of the lumber
rate in the Burlington case the western
classification having been adopted in lieu of
the Illinois classification The following is
a brief summary of the opinion:
The evidence on the question of discrim-
ination in interstate rates against Iowa
shippers develops system of rates so un-
just as to be a serious blow at the business
property of those thus engaged WITHIN the
state. The low rates obtained by Iowa
jobbers from the eastern markets are
neutralized by the high local rates within the
state, so that the fifth class rate in and the
fourth class rate out are largely in excess Of
the class from Chicago to Iowa points, and
our dealers are placed at such disadvantage
US to destroy largely their profits and seri
ously cripple their business. In fact, some
of them declare that unless relief comes i'll a
reduction of high local rates they will be
compelled to leave the state and 90 where
they can do business at a profit. In many
instances the discrimination in rates
in favor of Chicago merchants are 20
and 25 per cent, and representatives
OF Iowa business houses find themselves at
.l,,,I t,l, 10,
pete unless at a sacrifice; and the result is
that our business interests in Iowa are lam
gushing and the field given up largely to
Chicago dealers What is true of the Iowa
jobbing interest is largely the case in refer
ence to the manufacturing interests of the
state. The products of western manufac-
turers enjoy the benefits of low rates from
the east and also those from Ohio, Indiana
the product of the skill of
the workmen Of those states laid
down at our doors at lower rates than Iowa
manufacturers can transport their goods
from the manufactory IN Iowa to points with
i'll our own state under the present Iowa
distance tariff; hence Iowa industries are few
and far between, and struggling for exist
ence against great odds, and in some in-
stances shut down or removing from the
state to preserve an existence.
From u careful comparison of these rates
and the testimony IN this Investigation, the
commissioners are OF the opinion that the
charge of conspiracy made Is not sus-
taned there having been no evil
dence offered as to this allegation.
The proof of discrimination was
confined entirely to a comparison between
state and interstate business, over which the
commissioners have no jurisdiction, and
while the commissioners are unable to grant
relief against interstate Determinations they
are of opinion that q fair reduction of local
rates within the state is the proper remedy
to protect Iowa interests against the injus-
fhnty tod n mt I'M
Interstate rates.
The opinion is signed by Commissioners
Smith and Campbell. The other commis-
sioner, Mr. Dey, says he has been threatened
by the jobbers in case he did not give his
opinion before November 3, and so he de-
clines to state his views till after the election.