The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20
REGULATING FREIGHTS.
A BUREAU RICH IN PROMISE FOR
MEMPHIS PROSPERITY.
Unfair Determination Against Memphis
in Rates Being Effectually Corrected
Tho Institution in Experienced and
Competent Hands.

II Is not an item OF news 10 say that
Memphis has been victim of railroad dis
elimination, much TO her detriment, and
that st. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville and
even Nashville have proflted by this dis.
elimination. II is fact that these other
cities have been able TO send their goods
right into the territory Of Memphis, and
establish their trade by virtue solely OF
the difference in freight charges. No city
in tho country welcomes railroad within
It's confines more cordially than Memphis.
The merchants and manufacturers have
at last awakened TO full sense OF their
duty, not only TO themselves, but 10 their
customers in the five or six States adjoin-
ing. They have formulated and have now
in operation what is known as the Men,
phis Freight bureau.
IL has no connection whatever with the
boards Of trade and is supported by indi-
yidual membership. The charter members
are $. ii. Brooks, OF Brooks, Nicely & Co.,
president; John X. Speed, w. A. Ever
man, DIR. d. 7. Porter, r. Mcintyre and
T. Is. Trozcvant. Tho business Of the con.
Germ IL under the management OF COM
missioner, Mr.. :. Phillips, an experienced
railroad official, who resigned an important
Office with the Missouri Pacific system TO
accept the position here. The business OF
the commissioner is not alone TO look after
the rcciiiicatiOn OF any discrimination in
freight charges from shippers In tho city,
but also Of shippers TO the city from all
points contiguous TO Memphis trade. In
addition 10 this the commissioner also fur
nishcs, promptly on request, the rates OF
charges TO merchants 10 points on anyroad
leading from the city. Another important
duty no performs, and which Is Of
material benefit 10 merchants. Is 10 look
after the prompt payment Of any damages
due from the railroad companies by reason
OF losses by fire or delay, or 10 tho adjust
ment OF differences In bills Of lading.
While as n matter OF course the majority
OF the freight is brought and carried ON
cans the bureau has TO do with all manner
OF common carriers, either by land or
water
A ease In point, and ono which tho at
tontion OF the commission was first called
10, was the charges on nails from this city
10 point sixty or seventy miles distant,
the charge being AZ cents per 100, whereas
from ~. Louis twice the distance from the
same point only 80 cents was charged.
This trade 10y fair treatment belonged 20
Memphis, and customers preferred Il, but
they could not make reasonable profit
aud pay the difference In favor OF the rail.
road company. Tho commissioner laid the
matter before the proper railroad official,
and DO Il said 10 the credit Of the company
/. they readily corrected The matter, aud
Memphis has now an equal showing with
! her distant competition.
said leading Front street merchant:
This freight bureau u something that
Memphis has sorcly needed Tor many years.
II has been In operation now about six
weeks, and has already accomplished
great deal for Memphis trade. A certain
railroad had been owing our firm several
hundred dollars for months for cotton
burned. We had tried IN every way 10
get tho company 10 settle, but a. wo had
no one well enough acquainted with rail.
road business 10 know how TO talk to
the auditor OF the company We placed the
matter In the hands OF the commissioner,
and in less than two weeks the claim was
satisfactorily settled. Tho bureau acted
wisely In getting iirst-clnss railroad man
TO attend TO its business. None other would
have been worth cent, for he knows how
10 deal with tho carriers"
Mr.. Phillips has his olIicc for the pres.
cnt In tho exchange builling. but the
amount Of business that Is pouring in
upon him, he expects TO have 30 move
into larger quarters before much longrr.
There can be but little doubt that sch
bureau will prove OF incalCulablc benefit
10 the city, and the merchants are highly
gratiaed at It's establishment and tho
efficient work Il has accomplished 20 FAR.