The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-11-21
RAISED THE RATES.
ONE OF THE RESULTS OF THE
REPUBLICAN LANDSLIDE.
Another Lick at the Farmers Nv
the Railways.
minneapolis Times, Nov. II.

minneapolis Times, Nov. II.
The information was received i'm the
city yesterday to the effect that the
rate of wheat, flour and kindred grain
products from the Twin Cities to Chica-
go was to be increased from l2A cents,
the rate at present, to Is cents a hun
cred, this rate to apply to all North
western points, using the Twin Cities
as basis for differentials. The ac-
ton has been formally taken by the
western Freight Association, and the
orders for promulgating the new "a tie
will he Issued in few days. 1t is ex-
pected that twill go into effect about
the lst of December.
rms will be the highest rate
charged by Western roads for the
transportation Of grain products in
the history of shippers during the
past ten years, and before it is ac-
cepted the Minneapolis Chamber of
commerce and other bodies all over
the Northwest are likely to be heard
from. Applying as it does to Chicago
Minneapolis points it will also in
crease tho Eastern rates Just p cents.
making it that much more extensive
TO ship flour to the seaboard, the
whole Atlantic coast rate from Mime
apollS 10 the East reaching the high
est notch in five years. 1t will have a
tendency to curtail shipments for
European consumption, too, for the
rate will be so great via the railroads
that millcrs having storage facilities
will prefer to hold their product and
send it by way of the great Lakes
when navigation opens again.
In Il measure the action of the
western roads is discrimination
against the whole Northwest. The
new rate will only apply to Northwest
ern states, while Indina, Ohio and
Illinois millerS will not be affected by
the new tariff, and they will be en-
abled to ship to Chicago and the East
at a much less rate than that charged
to Northwestern millers and farmers.
one or the thoroughly posted rail
road men in this city, posted as well
on wheat and grain shipments, voiced
his opinion freely yesterday afternoon
in an interview on the subject.
II don't know what the railroads
can tie thinking Of" he said. "They
are evidently cOnSpiring to work as
much ruin as they can to this North
western country. We have gone
through 4 hard season for the farmers
and now the railroads shoulder part
of the burden of hard times on the
farmer by increasing the freight
rates. They have found that they
have got to increase their income in
some manner, and accordingly they
levy a greater tribute on the most
staple article shipped. The burden
will ultimately fall on the shoulders
of the farmer, too, you can depend up
on that. The miller, if he must pay
more freight rates to get his flour and
products into the markets of the
world, has only one alternative and
that is TO pay less for the raw ma
terial. That is just what he will do.
The miller cannot afford to charge
any more for his flour in the foreign
market in the present condition of
trade, for he enters in competition al
ready with those countries in which
labor is very much cheaper and in
which the manufacturer has other adj
vantagcs. l do not believe the millerS
will accept the new rate without op-
position, however, and they will as
sert their rights in manner that is
emphatic if they decide to fight the
roads -