Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-28
FREIGHT ON LUMBER.
CONFERENCE OF RAILROAD OFFICERS
AND Committeeman.
IL n Truc That There Il Unjust DiscrImi-
nation Against the People of
Richmond?

Interests members Of the Chamber OF
Commerce. several lumber merchants, and
two officials Of the Richmond and Peters
burg railroad had a conference yesterday
evening in the rooms of the Chamber Of
Commerce.
They talked over the charges for hauling
lumber 10 Richmond from points beyond
Petersburg.
1t was claimed by the lumbermen that
the Richmond and Petersburg road IS dis
eliminating against Richmond IN these
rates.
After both sides bad explained the situa-
tion the railroad people asked that the
meeting adjourn 10 some future day 10 al
low them 10 present some facts which they
were not then fully IN possession OF.
The meeting adjourned 10 Monday
THOSE PRESENT.
Mcssrs. Thomas p. Campbell. 7. II. Elicit,
md q. w Taylor represented the Board OF
Public Interests: Messrs. J.. {. Younger,
$. ". Travcrs. and 0. J.. COttrell the Cham
Der Of Commerce: Mcssrs. II. Is. Ialia-
ferro. Lyon & Montague. and Isaac Mercer,
the lumbcrmcn; Major Fred. Il. scott the
Richmond and Petersburg railroad. and
Mr. Sol. Haas the Associated Railways.
City-Attorney c. v Meredith came IN
during the conference.
TIE BEGNNISG.
Tho meeting was the result Of n resolu-
ton introduced into the Common COun-
ell by Mr Campbell. IL charges that the
Richmond and Petersburg road Is discrlm-
mating against Richmond merchants IN
that the rates upon q certain class Of mer-
chandse have boenincreasedtwo cents per
hundred pounds between Manchester and
Richmond.
The paper was referred TO the Board Of
Public Interests, and by them 10 this sub
committee.
THE LUMBrnMrN's sIDr.
When this resolution was read Yesterday
Nr TaliaferrO was requested 10 explain IN
detail where the discrimination Is made.
He said the rates on lumber coming from
North Carolina and the counties IN virginia
south Of Petersburg have been increased
two cents per hundred pounds between
Manchester and Richmond, while no III
crease has been made from the points south
of Petersburg 10 Manchester.
Mr.. 1aliaforT3 also stated that when tins
increase was ordered no additional charge
was made for lumber received from the
Norfolk and Western road at Petersburg
and brought here by the Richmond ana
Petersburg road.
OTHER VIEWS.
Mr.. Ivon indorsed all Mr. Taliaferro had
said and added that while the road charges
the iumbcrmen fifty cents per day for c1ch
car not uuloadcd no such charge Is made
for cars containing gram or other meichan-
disc.
llr Mercer conceded in the views of
Mc9-r- ral.aforo and Lyon.
Mr.. Tahatorro here added that at con-
ference nj which Major Myers. Mr.. Emcr-
son. and several lumbermcn were present
he thought Mr. Emerson said that II was
not a profitable business 10 the ROAD 10
haul lumber. and Manchester was better
suited for the lumber terminus than Rich
mond.
80 FACILITIES II MANCHESTER.
Mcs-r,. Lyon & Montague explained
that tho railroad company have not The IA
cilities for handling lumber IN Manchester :
that they have only space there TO unload
1--WE cars, and the ground at this season ., Gi =;
the year is SO muddy where the lumber ls
uut of that j, is almost impossible for
teams TO haul It away.
PRESIDENT SCOTT.
Major Scott was invited 90 speak for his
road. but hc SAID the traffic business OF that
Iinc is managed by Mr.. Sol. Haas. supcrin-
tauicnt of the Associated Railways. and lao
preferred that gentleman To- speak first.
sIE. HAAS.
Mr.. Haas said the investigation had as
eu1ucl "a a. dinerent shape and from what hc
had expected. He had hoped 70 have a
statement from Mr.. james, the freight
AGENT of thcr0ad, which would throw some
lignt on the matter but the report could
not Dee Cotton ready for presentation. In a
General way he could state that 1t costs
about rs much % handle car between
Richmond end Manchester as one between
FT,,,.l..5f ..r .tftl Pos Dr- lllTr
Nr. Iaiiatcrro wanted 90 know about tho
rates ou lumber received over the Norfolk
and Western road.
Mr.. Haas replied that ii was an oversight
on their part that the freight was otmade
the same a. on lumber coming from south
of Petersburg.
THE DISCRIMINATION.
Mr.. Mercer said the condition Of affairs
was "a discrimination against the lumber
merchants south of Petersburg.
Mr.. Haas did not think the meeting was
held 10 discuss the discrimination agalu- &
umbcr-dcalors beyond Petersburg. He
could not see any discrimination against
Richmond i'm that the rates on lumber r..
coived over the Norfolk and Western road
were not changed. but it did appear DIS
elimination against southern merchants.
The j. ne. Mr. Haas said. did not appear
10 hc made ont. The lumberncn don't
complain So much that the rates are TWO
cents higher 10 Richmond than TO Man
chester. but that they are two cents
cheaper To- Manchester than 20 Richmond.
NEw REGULATIONS.
The railroad officials, Mr. Haas added,
had intended 10 reduce the rates and put
in use some regulations which would end
the trouble. and were preparing the papers
Yesterday when summoned 10 appear
before the committee. He wanted action
postponcd in order that the committee
could see the yards in Richmond and Man
chester. and at the next meeting he would
present some facts which would have an
important bearing on the subject.
TuE IuMBERMEN Won't UNLOAD.
Major Scott explained at length why the
| increase was made. IL was found neces-
sary 70 do this because the lumbermcn
would not unload their ears promptly.
/ The company WIS compelled 10 use the
! ears and something lad 10 be done % pre-
vent their remaining for days IN Rich
moud. The North Carolina roads said
they must have their cars promptly, ana
advised that rates Doe increased, winch
would probably cause them 10 be unloaded
sooner
After considerable further discussion the
committee adjourned 10 meet at T. o'clock
Monday in the office of Mr.. Sol. Haas.
THE GREAT GUN-MAKsR.
Does He Really Mean To Have an Estab-