St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-08
The Uniform Bill Of Lading Is
a One-Sided Cinch
Scheme.
Representatives Of CONNER
cial Interests Tackle the
Trunk Lines.
Common Carriers Are Deter
mined to Give the Bill
a Trial.
They May Modify, but Will Re-
fuse to Utterly Abol-
ish It,

Chicago, Aug. This afternoon at
q meeting composed of representatives
of the principal commercial organize
tions of this country, with reference to
the enforcement of the so-called uni
form bill OF lading, the following reso-
buttons were adopted:
Whereas. Representatives of the CONNER
cial interests of Duluth, Minneapolis st.
Paul Milwaukee, Chicago, ST. Louis, Peoria,
Toledo, Detroit Indianapolis, Buffalo, Bos-
ton, Cincinnati. Louisville and Kansas City,
in connection with the Millers National as
ISOLATION and the distillers' and cattle feeders
committee of the United States, have united
in patient effort by conference and fair re-
presentation to induce the carriers represen-
tatives to defer the adoption of the so-called
uniform bill of lading, until its terms, con-
ditons applications and scope be fully ex-
amined and properly understood BY. shippers;
and
Whereas, Notwithstanding express agree
ment to recommend a reasonable extension
of time, said carriers representatives did
recommend the immediate adoption and en-
foreement of said instrument; and,
Whereas The practical effect of this act
ion has been an advance in rates ranging
from 20 to so per cent above the prices
which were charged for transporting the
same commodities and products under pre-
cisely similar conditions and circumstances
prior to Aug. l,
Whereas, The document under considera-
ton is nota bill of ladiDg, but is special
contract or mutual agreement to which the
shippers we represent have not consented.
Whereas, The alternative OF shipping at
higher rates i'll order 10 secure customary
service and protection has no basis in law or
equity.
Whereas The arguments and explanations
presented by the carriers to this conference
do not afford justification for their hasty
action.
Resolved, That our earnest protest against
the unjust and unreasonable course pursued
by the railways embraced in the Central
Traffic, Trunk Line, Southern railroad and
Steamship association and lake lines be re-
corded.
Resolved, That we recommend to all ship
pers ana receivers that they continue to make
protest against the enforcement of this spe-
cial contract, and that all charges which may
be eXacted as compensation for shipping
under customary conditions and liability be
submitted to proper legal tribunals for the
purpose of testing their business and reason
ableness.
A telegram was sent to Chairman
Blanchard in New York, requesting
that the carriers bill of Iading be not
ton of bill which should be satisfac-
tory to both shippers and carriers. No
reply was received to the telegram and
the convention adjourned subject to
the call of the chair. The Chicago COM
mittee of the Central Traffic association
at meeting to-day instructed agents
at all points west of Chicago where bills
Of lading are issued to refuse to indorSe
the through rate ON the initial or West
nrn lines receipts. If a shipper insists
Oh through rate the Western receipt is
to be taken up and a new uniform bill
Of lading issued instead.