New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-31
CUTTING EASTWARD RATES.
REDUCTIONS GENERAL FROM ST. PAUL.
ONLY WISCONSIN CENTRAL IN DOUBT AZ TO
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE
BURLINGTON AND n oRTHERN..

BURLINGTON AND NORTHERN.
st. Paul. May 30 (specIaD.-The principal develop
ment to-day In the freight rate situation vas the
meeting Of the Burlington and Northern rates by the
other roads running east from st. Paul with the pos
slble exception OF the Wisconsin Central The local
representatives Of that lire had not received nstrc
tons up 10 the time their Offices closed. The action
Of the St. Paul and Kansas City Road created con-
sternaton early In the day, It's freight
aennt teleuaphing Instructions to quote rates
based on "a cents for 100 pounds
for frstclass business. This was quoted as an all
rail rate The roads competitors could not
definitely ascertain whether these rates applied 10 all
lines east OF Chicago whether or not 1t was con-
fined 10 tho National Dispatch, the only all Ial
dnornual line running TO the seaboaru. Inc III
ference. however. the former, and In the early
part Of the day a number Of kilograms were rushed
into Chicago II Is fair 10 presume that the St. PAU
and Kansas City freight department modified It's an
nOuncouent somewhat. for none OF tue other roads
was quoted less than 81 "a by tho dherentlal lines
4 telegram published IN some II tho papers was also
misleading luasmuch It stated that the Burlington
and Northern had cut the Chicagost Paul rate to
80 cents. From this IL would appear as II this ratio
would 10 applied upon local business from Chicago.
This Is not tho esse. The cut was simply In the
proportion Of the through rate 1t was learned to-day
that the Milwaukee ard ST. Paul took tho stand Il did
upon ruling from Commissioner FalthOrns office that
the Grand Haven and Milwaukee route was lake
and rail line From the fact that Mr. Fs,horn him.
self is absent from Chicago, It f. supposed that the
ruling was made by Of his clerks. That II should
be made was q great surprise 10 all local officials.
Ever since this route established, efforts have
been madg to secure a ruling 20 this effect. Not
wlthstaadIng that the lines constituting the route
have always maintained that It was frstclass In
every respect Il has been allowed dfIerentsl,
except upon Eastbound -four shipments, and this was
only granted because OF the double handling made
necessary by the transfer from rail TO Lake. This
dlaerental was never more than sufficient 20 detray
the expenses OF this extra handling. The lake and
rail lines have Us yeD taken definite action as
regards this dlRcrcntial The rates now, both by
way Of Chicago and Duluth. are based upon 80 cents
for nrstcaS5 freight the proportions being 81 cents
TO Chicago and 80 cents beyond This gives the local
lines higher rata upon freight received at Chicago
frum the boats than upon that received fIOm
the railroads The boat people have taken tho matter
I'm band and a dispatch from Commissioner Fink
authorizing a dGcronual Is momentArtly expected
some think the rates mentioned today (70 cents for
nr,.t claSsl arc too bow, and that tho hStoiass
rate WI not Do lower than 70 cents. Last year
the rates based upon 50 cents at the opening
hoy were cut 10 90 cents, the lowest rate reached
during tho season. so far as Eastbound business Is
concerned there IS not much danger OF any oreaE
There Is nothing moving east Just now but hour, aud
the upon that IL cents, Is about as low aS any
wants 10 30.