The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-28
FIGHTING HIGHER RATES
NAVAL STORES AND LUMBERMEN
BEFORE THE COMMITS

The Opposition to the Proposed In-
crease in Freight Rates on Lumber
and Naval Stores-The Railroads
Arguments, and the Commission and
Lumbermen's Repies-The Effect OF
the Advance, IL Made.
The naval stores men and lumbermen of
Savannah are deeply interested in the de-
cision Of the railroad commission In the
question of an increase in the freight rates
upon lumber and naval stores.
Notice was given the naval stores men
and the lumber mill men a short while
ago that application had been made
by the railroads to increase the rates.
OF course those interested in the manu-
facture and sale of naval stores and lumber
are opposed to any increase in rates, as it
means loss to somebody, the producer
probably. unless there is a corresponding
increase in the price OF the product, which
is not likely.
THE QUESTION BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
The petitions of the railroads came up be.
fore the commission in Atlanta Tuesday,
and arguments in behalf of the railroads
were made by G. D. Owens, traffic man
ager Of the Plant system, and Hon.
8. G. McLendon of Thomasville, legal coun-
sci. Col. Owens stated that the present
prices OF naval stores are very much higher
than in former years, and that producers
cauld easily stand an increase in freight
rates. He submitted table showing that
in nearly all the other southern states the
railroads are allowed much higher rates for
the transportation Of lumber than in Geor-
gia.
The Savannah lumbermen and naval
stores men who are in attendance upon the
hearing Of the petition are W. B. Stillwell
j. B. Withers, John r. Young, G. D. Bald
win, ?. L. Peacock and John II. Hunter.
THE NAVAL STORES MEMS SIDE OF 1T.
A MORNING NEWS reporter interviewed
several interested parties yesterday upon
the increase in rates. A leading naval
stores man said that the railroads want
to make graduated advance in
rates Of from to IS per cent, according to
distance, the lesser advance for the longer
distance and the greater advance for the
shorter distance. For instance, where an
advance of 20 or IS per cent. would be
made for haul Of fifty miles, an advance
of only 5 per cent. would be made upon a
haul Of 200 miles, the result being to lessen
the difference between the long and short
haul.
The present rates on naval stores are, for
a distance of 200 miles 1013 cents per 100
pounds, 100 miles cents per 100, 80 miles
81 cents per 100.
THE LUMBER RATES.
On lumber the rates are, for 200 milessS2O
q car of "a, 900 pounds, 100 miles S14 car,
% miles $40 car. The proposed increase
would make the rates on naval stores about
9 S-5 cents per 100 for 100 miles,
as against fraction over IL cents for
200 miles, an increase of 3-5 cents on the
100 mile haul and of little over one cent
on the 200 mile haul On lumber the charges
would be for carrying car 100 miles 1850
in place of Sl4, as at present. and for 200
miles S21, in place of $40.
The rates on lumber and naval stores
were reduced by horizontal cut of 20 per
cent. in 1887. The basis Of the railroads
plea for asking an increase at present, it is
said, is that the last legislature delegated
the county and municipal authorities the
right to tax railroad property within their
limits, and the only relief they have Is an
increase in rates.
DIRECTING TO THE ADVANCE.
Just why naval stores and lumber were
selected for the increase cannot be told. but
probably because an increase could be made
on those articles without causing them to
be diverted into other channels, while if an
increase should be made in cotton or other
the diversion Of the traffic to competing
lines.
The naval stores men say that while it Is
true that naval stores are now bringing a
high price, the increased cost OF labor and
provisions, the advance in the price of
timber, and the gradual increase in hauling
expenses to reach the wooded territory.
have 80 increased the cost of production as
to more than make up for the increase in
price.
81 will just call special attention to that
last Item" said a naval stores man.
A CASE IN POINT.
when a turpentine distiller begins work
on the line OF new railroad for the first
year or two he can use the timber right
around his station, but in short while be
has to go farther back from the station. and
in few years he has to haul his product
several miles, which, of course, greatly in
creases his expenses. The same thing might
be said of lumber
A lumberman said last night that the
lumbermen of Georgia can better afford to
club together and pay the railroads the
amount of their county and municipal
taxes than to pay the increased freight
rates. The export lumber business at
present is at a very low ebb, there being
hardly any demand for the lumber, and the
market very dull.
shut down their mills anyhow, )" he said, $50
far as making any profit out of them,
but saw-mill is a very costly piece of
property. that becomes worthless In q short
while II left standing idle"
The naval stores men will have hearing
before the commission to-day.