The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-21
CALL In THE COMMISSION.
HOW MEMPHIS is Disseminated
AGAINST BY RAILROADS.
Commissioner Phillips, OF the Freight
Bureau, Calling In tho Assistance Of
Friendly Corporations in O Test Be-
rore the Commission.

The Memphis Freight Bureau has Tor
several months been using proper exertion
to secure for this city modification in
rates TO points in Alabama, Georgia and
Florida, so rs TO put the merchants OF
Memphis somewhat on an equality with
those Of Nashville, and TO secure all the
territorial advantages Memphis should
possess against other trade centers OF more
remote location. From the letter APP
pended from tho commissioner Of the bu-
reau, addressed 10 the general freight
agent OF the Kansas City, Memphis q
birmingham Railroad, II will be seen that
the Bureau finds IL necessary TO invoke the
assistance OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Popular belief Is that the kansas City
Road IL friendly 10 Memphis interests, and
the Bureau believes 80 too, and il is for
this reason that their cooperation issought
at the forthcoming conference between the
railway magnates OF the South and the
Interstate Commission at Washington, ID.
9. II is also hoped that the Memphis &
Charleston, Louisville & Nashville and
such other roads as are members OF the
Southern Railway & Steamship Associa-
ton and have community OF interest
with Memphis merchants in the prosperity
Of Memphis, will cooperate with tho
Kansas City Road and the Bureau in hav-
ing this city accorded lis rights in the
matter OF freight rates heretofore denied
it. The merchants themselves are urged
30 see that the Freight Bureau is fully
supported in this matter and that il be not
allowed TO perish uniimcly. II Is now
living issue and with the cooperation of
tho home roads should DO pushed TO sue
cessiul conclusion.
The following is the letter.
ROOM H. CoIroE EXCHANGE BrGLDMG,)
MtMfnis fBEignr BUREAU.
MElrlus, Tenn, November 20, 1855.
N. l.. Sargent, Esq., General Freight Agent Kansas
city Memphis 4 birmingham Railroad, Kansas
city, Mo;
Dear Sir-Tho Bureau returns thanks
for yours OF 10Th inst Under same date
we received communication from Mr..
Thomas III. Carter, Commissioner Of South
orn Railway d Steamboat Association,
reading rs follows
s. Phillips, Memphis. Tenn:
| have your favor OF the eth inst. This
was one Of the subjects for consideration
by our Rate Committee at the recent meet
ing held in New York. but owing 10 tho
absence OF Mr.. Sargent General Freight
Agent Of the kansas City, Memphis q
birmingham Railroad, the committee
deemed II expedient 10 take no action in
regard 10 rates from Memphis.
This matter Of the adjustment Of Mem
phis rates 10 the Southeast was brought TO
the attention OF the Southern Railway and
Steamship Association by this Bureau in
June last, Now II is November and moth
ing done, nor the smallest prospect of
anything being done Under these cir
cumsianees there is nothing lett but to in
woke the aid OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission. petition is therefore in
and will be- forwarded 10 the
Commission at once. In view Of tlie fact
that Nashville is only iorty-three miles
nearer than Memphis to birmingham,
Cnlora and Montgomery, We fail 10 SEQ
how the association can justify itself In
charging from 20 to 10 per cent more ON
the higher classes from Memphis than
they do from Nashville on business plss-
ing through those points 10 points on con.
Meeting lines and Ia Caluw aud Monigom-
cry proper We also f,il 10 see how the
Interstate Commerce law b. complied with |
In changing more from Memphis "a Calcra |
than from Memphis Ia Selma. tie business !
passing through Calcm b. reach sclmu.
IA your road will probably be- repre- |
scntUd by yourself ut the conference TO be
hold los the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion aud representatives, OF Southern roads
Of Washington, ID. G., on December rs. /
when the subject Of making rates 20
southern points Is 10 be considered. our
board Of directors desire 20 express the
hope that your company viii consider 1t to
W. interest IN favor a revision of rates from
Memphis 10 al points In Alabama, Gcnr-
gia and florida controlled hy thr Southern
Railway anl Steamship Association. We
nr willing that proper allowance should
be made iur the iOuy.thco miles add.
tional haul. but think that This should not
exceed TO per cent. on lea than carloads
and per cent ON carloads
We had hoped this matter could he set.
tod without thc intervention OF thc ma
iunal commission. aud Il b. with great re-
luclucc We seek its aid.
Tho reductions recently made by your
company tu Birmingham. Ala, in oppusi-
ton tn thr WISHES Oi thr Southern Railway
and Steamship AHOciallonaup very greatly
appreciated, II dp.a look 90 this llurolu
al 10 Toe existence ui thut Association WAS
contrary io public policy and that lho In.
trw'uio Commerce tommH ion should
order ]. Ca dissolve Immediately. AB long
as 20 exists ID ,a plain ,hll Ibis city will rc-
CTNy bat slow recognition, ID gl all, ol its
rights. Nouu truly IS. puuuis,
Commissioner.