The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-06
New York Makes LIN.

New York, January 5.--The Herald this
morning says; The trunk line railroads
have at last decided to take IA hand in Sc
storing the grain trade of New York,
which during the last two years has been
slipping away to the Southern ports on
account of the prohibitive terminal charges
here.
These terminal charges were made the
basis OF the complaint which the New
York Produce exchange filed with the in
terstate commerce commission several
weeks ago with a view to compelling the
railroads to grant the same facilities to
steamships for loading in this port that
are offered In Baltimore, Newport News
and other out ports, No charge is made
a some of the Southern ports.
The indications now are that the de-
sired result will be brought about by the
railroads, for they see that the business
interests OF the city are identical with
their own and that they have been heavy
losers by refusing TO oIfer as good faciil-
ties TO shippers as the Southern roads.
II is not known that the Joint Traffic
association has taken definite aclion, nut
such is believed to be the case. since the
organization is not so strict that there are
believed to be no violations OF the agree
ment. If so, there is a thorough under
siandng In regard to the actios of several
of the railroads.
The steamship Erwin is now taking on a
cargo Of corn AT the Erie elevator In Jer-
sey city. II goes TO Cork, Ireland, for or
ders. The corn was shipped from the West
and II is said 10 be exported on through
bill ot lad!ng In which the terminal o1srge
is urObahly absorbed.
the incident Is important because this
is said 10 be the first large steamship that
has loaded at a railroad elevator in this
vicinity In a number of years. although IL
is no uncommon thing for smaller craft to
do. Grain men take ii to mean hat induce
mens are offered to shippers in the West
which practically Offsets the elevator charge
OF a cent bushel, which rate was adopt
ed by the railroads in 1881 and which
since then has been the usual rate in ex-
cess of the usual terminal charges.
Prior to that time ocean steamships
were loaded without this extra tax. The
extra charge diverted business from New
York, and there was no longer need TO
keep the slips at the railroad elevators
dIedged out for large steamships. The
trunk lines. however, as II by concerted
plan have recently dredged out their slips,
and are apparently preparing to resume
their wontcd activity In the export graio
trade.
For some time past most of the grain
from the railroad elevators intended for
export has been lightered. and OF course a
COOL round tax has been imposed for the
loading. In the opinion Of grain men the
invitation to large steamships to come TO
the elevators means nothing less than the
Offering Of free loading, or some conces-
SIGN equivalent 10 this, which may be
granted to The shipper in the West.
1t is believed about the produce exchange
that the action OF the Erie is simply the
beginning OF a programme for beating the
Southern railroads at their own game, at
which all Of the other trunk lines VIII
take a part. and that they are prepared 10
get the business as best they may
Queen and Crescent Changes.
The death Of General Freight and Pas-
senger Agent Hardy Of the Queen and Cres-
cent at New Orleans several days ago, has
caused tho promotion Of several of the
younger members of the company's roster
The advancement Of A. +. Barnett, division
freight agent. to the position made vacant
| by Mr.. Hardy's death, has already been an
! nounced in The Post, but other pTomot'"hs
| were not learned until yesterday
E. D. Wolf. commercial agent OF the ro,o'
| with headquarters at Dallas, while In ins
| city yesterday made known the pronoHoh