The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-06-27
THE MERCHANDISE TARIFF.
THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE
TRAFFIC. MANAGERS DIS.
CUSS IT.
THEY SPEND THE ENTIRE DAv
POWWOWING
And Then Go Home With the Conscious
Feeling that They Have Set the
World and the Commission
On Fire.

The railroad commission and the vor;ous
railroad traffic managers, as well as few
Joppers, met yesterday in the commits
SONS sanctum and spat while about
the proposed merchandise tariff which
was promulgated by the commission not
long since after much labor and Mains
All the roads excepting the Katy and
the Fort Worth and Denver City and
international and Great Northern were
represented by either their traffic man.
ayers or by proxy, mostly the former
AS soon as the commission had spread its
SAILS for an all day set-to. Mr.. Farley
maue q personal explanation in substance
that he had revised his statements at
former meeting to the effect that the
railroads had not acted in good faith
in adjusting their rates. Had examined
their proposed tariff and was compelled
to admit the gentlemen had made fair
raas. Mr.. Farley then proceeded TO
an argument in favor of change of the
proposed commission rates so as to reduce
the charges for the second 90 miles out
of .jobbing points. Did not object to
higher rates the first 80 miles out in or
der to reduce their next 100 miles.
Mr.. Denison objected to extending the
mileage territory to 255 miles as it was
calculated to disturb interstate rates and
favored present common point distances.
Judge Reagan stated that the commits.
sion had received complaints from ship
pers against the adoption of the 100 miles;
the question is, which injury would re-
suit from extending the distance.
Mr.. Jones said it would disturb inter-
state rates and gave illustration how
thrOnph N Cnnh nnipfG n N n
would be affected.
Judge Reagan here stated that the
commission wanted a systematic tariff.
Mr.Farley said he didn't think symmetry
Of rates a necessity the first 80 miles
the rate might be increased. In that
distance we can take care of ourselves.
1t is the so or 100 miles beyond that
distance that we want rates adjusted.
Mr.. Farley submitted the proposed DIAL
las tariff conforming to commission rates
except as to the proposed change in $50
mile territory. Suggested conference
between railroad men and jobbers on this
tariff.
Mr.. Jones declined the conference as
representations of interstate lines are not
present.
Mr.. Turner indicated the difference
between the Dallas proposition and the
commissions and seemed to prefer COM
mission rates.
Mr.. Denison preferred the present
rates for 101 miles to the proposed
changes
Mr.. Collins took the same position as
Mr.. Farley-objected to tariff which he
held gave South Texas points decided
advantages.
Mr.. Terry showed how through rates
to Texas are made by adding barge rates
from st. Louis to New Orleans, and
Southern Pacific rate rom New Orleans
to Texas. Water rate down the Mississippi
govern through rates by rail, hence eX
tension of local mileage territory from
South Texas, for instance to Waco or
Corsicana, would unsettle through rates
by rail. The extension would compel
all rail lines to charge rates so as to
compete for the business at such points.
Mr.. Bein made a statement of the
situation, the purport of which was that
the interstate roads could not stand the
changes proposed. He stated as to the
proposition to raise rates in first 90 mile
territory so as to reduce in 100 miles
beyond that it would benefit roads il
North Texas as these jobbing points have
good business territory within 90 miles,
while there is no business in the first 30
miles out of Houston or Galveston.
Judge Reagan referred to an article
Ill IUe ANNho ,iv"i'S
the commission had made tariff invt-
ing another law suit. The article compar-
ed rates between distances to Galveston
and Houston without considering the
G cents differential. This the judge. SEEM
ed to consider false statement of com
parison. Both tariffs are mileage tariffs
and the statement Of the judge would
imply that all cotton has to go through
Galveston and Houston. The tariffs,
however, apply to cotton shipped to Dial
las and Fort Worth where there is no
differential, although there is not much
chance for Dallas or Fort Worth to do
a big cotton business, may it not be at
tributed to the abandonment of the. mile
age basis first adopted by the commission.
Chairman Reagan stated, in effect, on
account of through rates that the common
point line existing now could not be
changed. The commission then ADJOURN
ed for dinner.
1t has greater leavening strength than
any other and is therefore the cheapest
n D,;.,,e palinn Powder