The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-16
FRUIT GROWERS APPLICATION.
Asks the Commission TO Reduce the
Freight Rates.

Nsi<S tHC commission TO Reuucc the
Freight Rates.
Austin, Texas March 15.--The fruit
growers made application to the railroad
commission this morning for a reduction
Of rates on fruits, melons, vegetables ETC.,
both in car loads and less than car load
lots.
Mr.. r.. r. Lockett, representing East
and North Texas producers, complained
that rates were SO high that fruit and veg
etnbles rotted on the ground, and he asked
such reductions as would enable these
producers to move their crops TO market
Judge Reagan suggested the ccusidera-
ton of a local rate Tor thirty or fifty miles
to concentrate and make up car load ship
ments Of fruit and berries
General Freight Agent Barnhart of the
Cotton Belt and General Freight Agent
Turner Of the International and Great
Northern both objected to the proposed
reductions, claiming that the rates were
already low enough; that the present car
load maximum, 20 cents, should not be
reduced that broken shipments, less than
car loads. amount to very little.
MIR. Jones of the Houston and Texas
Central asked why reduced rate was
wanted. claiming that each locality pro-
duce its own vegetables.
Mr.. Mayneld could not see why the
roads objected to n change OF rates II,
as their agents averred, each neighborhood
produced its own vegetables, and there
would be no shipments,
Mr. Jones admitted that some articles
would move, but that the rates on melons,
for instance were already too low.
Mr. Barnhart of the Cotton Belt claimed
that not only Ia II unprofitable TO haul
vegetables in less than car loads over ttty
miles. but also the shipment of vegetables
in summer by freight is very risky ana
improbable business
General Attorney Freeman of the Texas
and Pacific did not object so much to the
present rates He pointed out that the
vegetable season In Texas, on account OF
the hot weather. is short As soon as the
Texas season Ia over. there Is n movement
from outside the State. reduction OIL
the present rates therefore, would not
benefit the Texas producers, but would
materially reduce the earnings OF the
roads. Large shipments from without the
State could then be distributed largely at
the expense OF the roads TO the dissdVan-
tage of LEGAL producers
Mr.. Martin Of the Arkansas Pass SAID
that the railroads always were foremost
in fostering enterprises along their INES
Low rates instead OF helping producers as
Mr.. I,ockett claimed, would put the rail-
roads at "A great disadvantage IN CERTAIN
seasons He asked that his road be ex-
empted. His road, to permit prompt trans
portation of fruits and vegetables in less
than car loads. waived their contract with
the express company and allowed the lat
ter to make rates for these products that
we're practically as lew as for freight train
service.
Mr.. G. Faulkner of Waco, member OF
the State Horticultural Society, statea
thai he was satisfied with the car load
rates. but suggested a lower rate on less
than car loads. He was interested IN
Rocknort and Corpus Christi had shipped
over the Arkansas Pass road; this road haa
always more than met the producers haif
way: he was not here fighting the roaus,
bnt irving TO point out more clearly where
certain matters especially concentration
privileges and lower rate on less than
car load lots would build up profitable
business for roads and producers.