The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-27

read by Colonel Purcell. which is hereto
attached and made part of this report,
but while their force was probably appre-
ciated by the railroad agents present as
general principles, they do not appear TO
your committee to have been conceded az
proper basis for the construction OF the
tariff to go into effect on December LIST.
Under these circumstances, your COM
mittee has felt constrained to make this
full report OF their proceedings, to ex-
press their profound conviction that the
situation Is a most serious one, and to
state that they view. with the gravest APP
prehension, an association or combina-
ton OF the rail and water carriers be-
tween Richmond and Eastern cities. The
effect or tendency Of such an associa-
ton Is to elevate water rates TO the level
Of rail rates, which will inevitably result
In contracting our sphere Of operations
and I'm lowering our profit in the terri
tory which might be left to us.
They would. therefore, impress upon
the Chamber the supreme Importance OF
guarding against this danger and Of pre-
serving and developing our traffic by
water by every means in our power that
being best calculated TO insure our fu-
ture growth and development. SO, while
willing, as Indicative of q conservative
spirit to acquiesce. IL It meets with the
approval OF the Chamber Ia trial OF
the proposed tariff until its effect can
be fully measured. your committee feels
fully assured that should this associa-
tion threaten the maintenance and de-
velOpment Of their business interests and
through It the welfare and growth OF
our city, that our business men and
citizens will show that united wisdom
and enterprise necessary to meet so seri-
Gus q crisis and avert so great an in
jury. With this assurance, your commit
tee respectfully submits this report for
such further action and instruction as
may seem best to the Chamber.
Paper submitted at the conference with
the transportation AGENT:
LIST. We insist that the same classifi-
cation shall apply to freghts from
Northern cities to Richmond as apply
from those cities TO all points south Of
us.
Cd. That the rates OF freight from New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore shall
be made on a parity with other water
line rates.
We observe that it is claimed that the
new rates are not higher than water
rates were before the severe competition
between the rail and water lines. But
that was five years ago or more, and
we protest against RELOCATING our market
TO Il position OF I'VE years ago, SlHct
which time rates of every character have
declined at every point.
We recognize the fact that in many
instances rates have been below pro-
ftable point TO the transportation lines;
but we protest against a policy that
would levy the loss of the whole business
on about two-ffths thereof
In conclusion, IL it is necessary that
the transportation lines shall have an adj
vance in rates, we will cordially CO.
operate in classification and schedule
of rates uniform and equal in its advance
on through as well as local. business.
provided that this market shall he pre-
served in the Importance as a distribut-
ing centre, to which its present volume
of trade justly entities It.
We decline to admit as just to us any
principle Of a freight tariff which does
not, recognize the Importance OF our
present trade. manufactures and geo
graphical position. and therefore a cor
responding diferential OF rates in our
favor as against through rates to our
markets.
After a full discussion OF the situation.
the report was unanimously adopted, and
a number of copies was ordered TO be
printed and sent TO each member Of the
Chamber, but a further resolution was
adopted continuing the matter in the
hands Of the committee with instructions
to persevere in their efforts to have rates
reduced according to the policy Indicated
I'm the report and in the paper attached
thereto.
In the discussion which preceded the
adoption Of the report, n number OF sug-
gestions were made as to the best mode
of securing full relief from any rates
which may place Richmond at a disad-
vantage and deprive her Of the prestige
she has heretofore enjoyed, all of which
will be duly considered by the committee.
Mr. Harry b. Skidmore, representing the
North American Review, was at his re-
quest then introduced to the body by the
president Of the Chamber, the object of
Mr.. Skdmore being to secure the ihdorse-
ment by the Chamber of a plan for secur-
ing a write-up Of Richmond in his journal.
Mr.. Skidmore having been heard upon
this subject, a resolution was offered by
Mr. Samuel REGISTER to the effect that
while the Chamber was pleased TO have
Mr.. Skidmore appear before them and
duly appreciated the literary value OF the
journal, which he represented, that 1t was
the sense Of this meeting that the pre-
sent was an inopportune time FOR the
body TO give its Endorsement to the plan
he proposed.
There being no further business before
the Chamber. the meeting then ADJOURNED.