Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-08

The East Shore Tariffs Made HigheI
Than Those OF the West Shore.


Than Those OF the West Shore.
GRAND RAPIDS BOARD OF TRADE, !
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich,
Nov. %, 1891.
To the General Freight Agents of
Michigan Lines of Railroads.
DEAR sIRs-The manufacturers of
Grand Rapids through the freight
ommittee OF our Grand Rapids board
OF trade, come to you with the earnts st
and urgent appeal that you take the
necessary action to speedily secure for
Grand Rapids equal freight rates with
eastern and northern Wisconsin, for
western business the constant,
gradual decrease of business TO points
west Of the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, IN the face OF our persistent
efforts TO hold and extend such trade,
compsls Us 20 look to you for . remedy
which lies only in equallzing freight
rates with our competitive points on
the west shore Of Lake Michigan.
We see Wisconsin manufacturers To-
cate their mills on the east shore OF the
lake. cut Michigan timber into lumber
convey the same with cheap water rates
across the lake 70 points on the west
shore situated ~ q greater distance from
Chicago than the Grand Rapids manu-
facturer. make this lumber into furni-
ture OF the same character We manu-
fActufs, ship this furniture 10 western
points At chicago rates, while We are
compelled TO paw an excess over these
rates, amounting IN many instances to
a sum which sosorbs all the profit IN
the goods. This state of things has
.aused q decrease of IS per cent of
business TO such western points. All
this in face of the undlsputed fact that
Grand Rapids. located As she Is near
the east shore of Lake Michigan, geo.
graphically sustsins exactly the same
position to Chicago and the many rail-
roads csnterIng there As competitive
points on the west shore Of the lake.
would T..a Toward a. Increase.
This IL . matter. not alone OF equity,
but OF vital Importance; our interests
are mutual; Michigan lines cannot At
ford to see this industry so crippled.
Michigan lumber should be manufac-
tured by Michigan manufacturers into
tbe various produsts OF wood. and sup
ply her en- are Of the trade In tho great
and growing west. This IS a matter
that does not tend towards decrease of
revenues. but rather towards a salts
factory growing increase. With equal
rates TO points mentioned, comes not
only . double volume of outgoing ship
ments. but o corresponding increase of
incoming freight OF lumber and the
various supplies incidental to such
business.
This committee, who has the mat
ter in charge for the board
of trade, has positive sssur-
snces from several of the larg-
est railroad corporations OF the
west. that they will support this posi-
ton and accept the same divisions fer
Grand Rapids business that they now
do for business originating in western
and northern Wisconsin.
To veuld thus seem 20 us that 10 ask
eur Michigan lines 20 secure for us
these equal rates cannot but meet your
unqualified favor and support We
email therefore confidently expect that
very seon eur request will be granted,
belIsving that sound business principles,
equity and justice are the foundation
ct our demsnds
VERY respectfully.
r. r. FoeTE.
L.. G.. STow.
q. A. BALI.
&. g.. A NoFGr.
A. ;. MussEIwAs,
Committee.