Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-29
TO CHEAPEN LUMBER RATES.
The Alton and Burlington's Request
is Refused.
THAT MEAT HAUL COMPLAINT.
Some Sensational Te stim ony sGiven-
Chicago Packers Methods of
Getting Mate rial to Run On
Railroad Notes.
Sounding the Signal of War.

CH1cAeo, May 2S.--TSpecial Telegram to
The BEE, l-The decision of the executive
board of the Inter State Commerce Railway
association, on the request Of the Alton and
Burlington, for reduction of the lumber
rate from Chicago to the Missouri river was
made public to-day by Chairman Walker.
The decision is an extremely voluminous
one and refuses the request for the reduced
rate. The summing is as follows:
We do not feel justified in authorizing the
Chicago g. Alton, and Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy companies to make the proposed
reduction to 10 cents per 100 lbs. Such a
step would greatly disturb the lumber rates
of all the lines anu would almost inevitably
result in great loss, even to some which are
not involved in the controversy. 1t would
probably be met by reductions on the part OF
unjust. 1t would, no doubt. for
time, afford increased tonnage
to the roads, which are seeking 1t, but ton
mage without profit is OF no value except for
advertising and statistical purposes; and to
infiict direct losses upon the income of asso-
cated lines for the purpose of making an ex-
hibit of large tonnage, when no net revenue
above expenses Is in sight, would be consist
ent, neither with the principals OF this aSSo-
citation nor with an ordinary consideration
for the rights of others. When business
conditions have become so changed that
traffic can not be handled save at a unremun-
eraJlve rate the abandonment of the traffic
should be seriously considered. To insist
upon taking it, without profit, merely for the
sake of maintaining its possession is hardly
business like, nor Is 1t justice to competitors
The proposed 10-cent rate would prac-
tically be war rate and only justifi-
able as SUCH 1t is the part
of wisdom to count the cost before taking
the sword A conflict is proposed, which
may entail losses upon the various contest
- ,,,,n 1f 1,1ln nnl
which, after all, can only be settled upon
such plan as that which is above referred
| to. The executive board regards the pro-
posed lO-cent rates as one which is not justi-
fled by existing circumstances which would
be of no practical or substantial advantage
| to the roads which ask 1T; which would in.
vite immediate reductions by the southern
roads, and this would neutralze itself; and
which would work great injury to other lines
| in this association. The finding, therefore,
Is that the rate can not be properly author
lied.
Vice-President McMullin, of the Alton,
was seen this morning and said no action
would be taken IN the matter for two OF
three days. In answer'to a question he said
| the Alton was still of the same mind. AS he
has repeatedly said, ''the rate would be
established in any event." his answer was
easily translated. The decision of the COM
mission proposes a compromise rate of 1879
cents. Mr. McMullin said the Alton would
not compromise. He also said the demand OF
the Alton for division of the live stock
traffic would be pushed before Chairman
| Walker.
He added: "If our proposition is not given
we propose to take it, Yesterday, for in
stance, the ST. Paul took twenty-five cars of
live stock out of Kansas City and we didn't
get a car, although our line is shorter and
better. We propose to stop that kind of
business"
1t is the general opinion among Chicago
railroad men that the Alton will withdraw
from the famous Presidents association