Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-06
LUMBER AND COTTON.
Only Portion Of the Lumbermeu Com
Plainins-t otton StIlI Higher
Than III Other states.
Special to the Gazette.

| Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN. TEX, Aug. The schedule of
freight rates on cotton submitted by the
railroad commission 10 the general freight
agents makes an estimated cut on exist
ing rates of - to 30 per cent This is the
heaviest reduction contemplated by the
commission. On considering further the
arguments of the traffic men it may be
modified a trifie. but Judging from the APP
parent temper of the commission at the
present movement. IL IS doubtful If il will
allow the reduction to fall much below
those figures. Mr. Waldo il is said, admit
ted that the roads might he abe 10 stand a
reduction on cotton rates Of 10 per cent,
but that the commission thinks too little.
The average freight rate on cotton now is
estimated at about - Il bale The commits
sion appears to think that about 81 would
be reasonable compensation which would
be a saving on the crop this year Of some
thing like.
TWO MILLIONS.
The lumber mills of Southeast Texas, and
the roads that distribute their products, are
kicking vigorously or the mileage rate pro-
posed on lumber in the new schedules. The
maximum rate on lumber, so fixed, is no
greater than under the existing blanket
system, but the rates on Snort hauls are
less Here is where the shoe pinches. The
railroads think that they should be per-
mitted TO charge Corsicana, Waco, Hemp
stead, Brennan, and points near the mills
the same rate given TO Abilene, Cisco and
| Weatherford. The commission thinks
otherwise. The Southeast Texas millmen
contend that unless the blanket system in
vogue ut present shall be continued, they
will be compelled 10 knock under to the
competition from the mills OF Northeast
Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana These
mill men now sell their lumber in North
Texas almost under the very noses Of the
millmen of that region, by virtue of the
relatively cheap long maui rates afforded
them. They have longer hau!s than their
North Texas competitors, and fear that
UNDER MILEAGE SYSTEM
they would be placed at d disadvantage.
The commission feels they have no very
good ground of complaint against mileage
system. II holds that the southeast mill
men have already double advantage over
their northern competitors iii greater
supply of better timber and in the cheaper
cost OF milling II. Besides, they have a
monopoly of all of middle, south and south
west Texas, which no other mills can take
from them. The wisdom OF fleeing ium-
Der consumers situated near the mills in
order that the roads may be compensated in
that way for the relatively low rates al
lowed on long hauls into competitor ; ter
rltory, is hardly strong or convincing
enough 10 persuade the commission that
~,
of rates IS not practicable. The commits
sioners appear TO think it is, and will
doubtless Insist on trial at least of the
mileage system. They do not think that
equality and justice TO all parties consistent
with a system OF freight rates thatt appear
to prevail for the chief benefit of the Orange
and Beaumont mills, aud the roads That
control their output. They choose 10 con-
slider the interest of the public, and do not
appear 10 be much moved by the JeremiahS
OF those who tell them that the new sched
ule of lumber rates will close up the South
Texas mills. When this cry is raised, the
commissioners point to the mills in North
east Texas, and ask, why are they not COM
planning about the rates. They appear 10
be satisfactory TO the millmen up there.
Again, they recall the fact that some of the
largest milling concerns il Northeast Texas
have already collapsed, from whatever