Telegram-herald., 1891-07-11
ABOUT IHE RAILROADS
Points Of Railway News Of Some
Local Interest.
THE GRAND RAPIDS FREIGHT TARIFF
IL win be Settled ~ Chicago Monday
~ the Meeting Of the Csstrai
frame Associations Local Aea
Want the Rate Reduced.

The question that is interesting the
railroad managers oflGrand Raplds just
now is the question Of the proposed re-
duction OF the freight tariff. TO s2 per
cent. OF the Chicago rate. Chicsgo's
rate to the East 10 taken as the basis OF
calculation of the rates of other cities.
About two months ago certain circum-
stances led 10 the reduction of the rates
from Saginaw. As result, competing
cities in Michigan have had to endure
discrimination IN competing for last
ern business. The Board of Trade took
such measures as they could to secure
y proportionate reduction. The ques-
ton IS one OF great Importance. ana
affects not only Grand Rapids, but the
entire State OF Michigan, end portion
of Indiana. The Central Traffic Asso-
ci alton meets TO consider the question
at Chicago Monday. The matter Was
placed in the hands OF the railway
managers, and Messrs. Goddard and
Blanchard as the Arbitration Commit
tee. The report will be made Monday.
The proposed red ductlon will meet with
opposition from points that would by
| it lose some of there advantages held
under the present rates. General
| Freight Agents Davis and Leavenworth,
OF the {. n W. NJ. and d., l.. d n. and
OF the G.. X. 4 1. roads respectively,
will attend the meeting.
What Railroad Men Say.
In regard to the question, Manager
| Heald has expressed himself in un-
eauivCcal terms: "If the decision of
! the arbitrators Is not favorable" he
said. 1--WE propose to appeal from the
| decision. We propose to protect Grand
| Rapids industry even from the dictates
OF the Central Traffic ASSOCIATION"
General Freight Agent Davis, In speak
ing OF the matter yesterday, said: ut
may seem to many a strange position
| that we take in this matter, and for the
| following reason: Ii the Grand Rapids
rate is reduced, the rate of other Mich
| igan cities must be reduced in proper
| tion. The result will be to decrease the
sum total OF revenue from freight.
Butthere is deeper reason. The
question can not be settled from
the standpoint of immediate rev.
enue only. Grand Rapids and North
| ern Michigan is not, as is the southern
portion of the State, a purely agri.
cultural country. 1t has been lum-
bering region and is just now In state
| of transition, TO All agricultural and
manufacturing locality. We act for
Grand Rapids when We favor this re-
duction. We want Grand Rapids to be
| in position to stand competition, to
expand its industries and to develop
iuto something greater. Our 1000
mites of lines emanating from this city
| furnish inlets aud outlets to traffic and
are developers of other places which
by interchange of commerce help
Grand Rapids.
What the Reduction will Do.
"The reduction will tend to increase
the Importance of Grand Rapids as a
! great center of distribution. If Grand
| Rapids industries are forced to work
under an incubus of unjust discrimina-
ton, giving competitors an advantage,
business will diminish and hurt our
business much more than the immedi-
ate decrease of revenue. In the long
run we will be better off. In short, We
are Grand Rapids institution. and her
interest is our interest. We feel the
Importance of this question very
strongly, and propose not only to kick
in case of An adverse decision, but to
do good deal of our kicking before
a decision Is rendered. President
Hughart, Of the G. X. & L., expressed
himself very forcibiy aud clearly
on the subject. "It IS not simply .
question of the snail reduction IN rev.
enue. Our manufacturers say that if
the rates are not reduced their business
Will be diminished. We must come to
their assistance, for it's much better for
us and for the city. We'd rather suffer
q temporary reduction than To shut off
the source of large portion OF our
revenue. It's much easier matter I o
reduce rates than TO put them up, and
they have been reduced very remark
able percentage in the history of the
past few years. If it were not for inn
proved means Of transportation, the
use of steel rails, ETC., ETC., We would
have lost a good deal of money on the
reductions. Whatever helps Grand
Rapids shippers helps us. That is the
point TO the very complex question.
why They Were Left.