Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-25
VEXATI0US AS EVER.
Not Much of a Chance for q Reduc-
tion of Coal Rates to Chicago.
HOW THE TARIFFS ARE ARRANGED
Talk Of Cutting the Window Glass Sched-
ule to the Pacific.
A PLEA FOR THE SUNDAY EXCURSIONS

The problem of lower freight rates on
Pittsburg coal to Chicago continues to be as
vexatious as ever. The present rate of 81 25
to the Windy City is too high to give the
local coal operators chance to compete in
the Chicago markets. The Chicago middle,
men accuse the railroads here of forming
combination to keep up the rates, and it has
been suggested as solution to the difficulty
that the coal operators and dealers enter
into contract to patronize the road that will
give them the best rates. The only trouble
is that the mines are located on all the
roads, and such an agreement could hardly
be carried out with any degree OF satisfac-
ton.
The railroad officials here deny that any
combination exists to keep up the Chicago
rates on coal. General Freight Agent Frank
Dean, OF the Lake Erie. said yesterday:
HOW CHANGES ARE MADE.
"There is nothing in that statement. The
railroads have simply entered into an agree
ment to make certain rate on coal, as we
do on any other product. These rates are
fixed by the Pittsburg Committee of Freight
Agents, and no changes are made before
the other roads are notified. There is no
attempt to keep up the rates. That is ridic-
ulous. The railroads always make the
lowest rates possible. If the coal rate to
Chicago from Pittsburg were changed corre-
spending changes would have to be made
from the Hooking Valley territory"
1t is claimed that the Baltimore and Ohio
road is in a better position to make con-
cessions than the Pennsylvania Company,
because the former road has fewer interme-
diate points to look after than the latter
line. The Baltimore and Ohio officials deny
this statement. and claim that the fact that
their road is the longest ought to be a
sufficient answer. Local railroad men say
that even if the Baltimore and Ohio carried
all the Pittsburg coal to Chicago at a lower
rate than the one established, it wouldn't
pay to make the sacrifice.
There are more ways than one of pinch
ing the Baltimore and Ohio" said one rail-
road man, "such proceeding would de-
moralize all the present rates. We couldn't |
treat any longer with the Baltimore and |
Ohio, and rate wars would be the result, |
and no agreements could be maintained.
NO DANGER OF IT.
"But there is no danger that such an
reduce the coal rates without consulting the
other lines first
General Freight Agent G. s. Wright, of
the b: o.: was not in yesterday, but
Division Freight Agent Galleher was. He
when told the coal men wanted a
rate OF 81 IS on coal to Chicago. "Well,
we can't blame the coal men Tor wanting
rates as low as they can get them,
but the present tariffs have
been in existence for long time. The rate
is as low as we can make it. 1t is not true
that any attempt is being made to keep up
The coal rates. 1 know of no unusual agree
nent entered into by the roads concerning
GOAL, any more than the ordinary agreement
made about rates on glass, iron, coke or mer-
The agents agree on a uniform
'ystem OF rates for all conditions, based on
he Chicago rates for Western points, and
IN New York for Eastern places.
Suppose, for example, that the coal
men should combine and agree to take coal
rom only that road that offered the lowest
ates. How long would such an agreement
De maintained? No time at all. In a
hort period the rates would be forced down
. low sum. No application. so far as I
Know, has been made to the roads for re-
luetion in rates by the coal men,"