The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-24
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION
u. keasler Addresses n Tur,
ter to Hon. j. H. R.u,,,,

Il IL. keasler Addresses n rur,
Ter to Hon. j. II. Reagan.
Austin. Texas. June 23.--The followip
letter. Just received, explains itself an
VIII be read with interest by the mer
chants of Texas:
Hon. j. II. Reagan, Chairman Texas
haiiioad Commission. Austin, Texas,
hughes Springs, Texas, June 20
Dear sir: am in receipt OF your let
Ter IN answer to petition asking can
eeiialion OF commission circular No.
ol9, OF May q, 1885 Am | to under
stand that the commission declines To
consider this application, and its rea-
son for doing so is because other re-
tail dealers in other towns in the state
have also asked that the circular be
cancelled?
How is Texas benefited by the in
crease in rate on mixed car loads of
nails. wire, fencing and ay bale ties
from IS cents per 100 pounds 10 90 cents
per 100 pounds? Do you consider the
interests of a few would be iobbers
in Texas more important to the State
than that Of all the retail dealers and
consumers Of the State? Are you aware
Of the fact that the withdrawal of mixed
car load rate on nails, wire etc, in
creases the cost TO me on these art-
cles 81 cents per 100 pounds and there
by increases the cost to my customers
l-3 cent per pound. and for what pur-
pose? Are you aware OF the fact that
the increase applies TO every retailer in
Texas?
You say to enable the jobbers of
Dallas and other Texas cities TO sell us
their goods. Is it fair to tax me and
my customers for the benefit of Dallas
iobbers? Is it fair to tax any retailer
or consumer of Texas for the benefit OF
Texas iobhers?
Is 1t fair to force me TO buy more
stoves than I need to enable some
Texas iobber to sell me little stove
furniturssor hollow ware that | could
otherwisS ship with a car load Of
stoves, and thereby sell both at lower
prices Is it fair to make special rules
for Texas jobbers not made for Job
bers in other States?
You state that the increased rate on
tinware has not been so great as stated.
The railroad exception sheet reads:
Articles, rates in Western classifica-
ton:
One and onehalf times first class. to
Texas three times first class.
First class, to Texas two times hrst
class.
Second class. TO Texas first class.
Third class. TO Texas second class.
Fourth class, 10 Texas third class,
First class ST. Louis to hughes
Springs Is $3.50; two times first class,
81 60: three times iirst class, So 80
For further information respectfully
refer Won TO tariff of railroads Oh file
in your office.
do YOU think it reasonable that
should pay double what | have paid
heretofore in tinware (Which l must
do ON at least two classes) TO enable
few Texas tin shops 10 make larger
profits upon their goods?
notice you do not refer to paper
cartridges advanced from ST.. IL to 81 80
per 100 pounds. Is that also done TO
build IN Texas iobbers? Is Ii cents
per hundred an actual necessity to en-
able them to make a profit or was IT
done to prevent paper cartridges heing
Skinned with other hardware at seconu
class. and thereby harass the retaller
into buying from the Texas jopperF
believe Yourself and other meni-
hers of the commission have been MIS-
led nv the so-caled jobbers OF Texas,
and that the failure OF our Tetaiieis
TO take up this matter carrier mas pre-
vented you from getting 'hioIiiH' lo .n
needed otherwise circular. NO olS
would never have been issued, ana hopS
that the circular will be caheehsu'
and the railroads ordered 10 restore 'he
rates to former basis. furiher NOPE
in future that the retailers OF lhe o'rte
viii he given ample opportunity to be
heard before another order of this kind
is issued Yours truly,
T. b. Keasler.