Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-19
A THREE-CENT CUT.
The c., B. & Ms 7-Cent Rate on Iron
in Carloads to st. Paul
FROM TIE PITTSBURG TERRITORY.
The Slash is Supposed to be Slap at the
Rail and Lake Lines.
LOCAL IRON SHIPPERS BENEFITED

With the exception of few cheap COM
modify rates that went into effect early in
July, on the Chicago, Burlington and
Northern, there have been mo reductions in
Western rates since JanuHy. The rail-
roads have been congratulating themselves
on their ability to maintain tariffs. Now
comes the c., B. s. N. again. and announces
q reduction of cents per 100 pounds on
articles of iron and steel manu-
factdre in car loads from Pittsburg
and points taking Pittsburg rates
to st. Paul, Minneapolis, Mimi, transfer,
Winona and Lacrosse. The cut will apply
also from Wheeling. Youngstown. New Cas-
tie and the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys.
The new rates will be cents, making
through rate of Is cents, or only cent
higher than the rail and lake rates. They
will 60 into effect to-day.
IT PUZZLES THEM ALL.
The circular announcing the reduction is
signed by w. B. Hamlin, General Freight
Agent of the Chicago, Burlington and
Northern. Usually such circulars are
signed by the officials of the Chicago, Bur-
lington and Quincy, who control the former
road. 1t looks as if the Co." though al
ways aggressive, has nothing to do with the
cut
The local representatives could give no
explanation of the reduction, unless the
trunk lines have been guilty of some under
handed work with the rail and lake lines,
and the c., B. & N. had discovered it,
and took this method to square the account.
The agents do not believe it is direct
slap at the other st. Paul roads, and the
supposition is the latter roads will meet the
cut.
What effect the reduction will have on
the trunk lines who are now figuring on an
advance in iron rates to be made September
! is yet to be seen. It is expected the old
iron rates will be restored, and possibly
the less than car load rate will be
made 35 cents from New York to Chicago,
cents more than it was before the last
great cut was made. The Pittsburg rates
depend altogether on the Chicago basis, and
the manufacturers are anxiously waiting
the decision of the trunk lines before they
make their fall contracts.
AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
The Northwestern reduction will be good
news to the local shippers. On the strength
OF the cut the agents of the Chicago, Bur-
lington and Northern scooped considerable
Pittsburg business on Saturday. and even
succeeded in stopping several cars OF iron
thar were being loaded.
The present iron rate from Chicago to the
Northwest is 10 cents in carload lots Last
summer it was 9 cents, but rate as low as
z cents has not been offered within the past
two years. A proportionate cut is also
made from seaboard points to the North
western territory. The cut will have a
strong tendency to demoralize Western
rates, which have been steadily maintained
up to this time. Though the navigation
season is almost over the rail and lake lines
will have to do something to hold the bust
ness for the balance of the season. While
the roads are cutting the shippers reap the
profits, and the stockholders are left.