The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-08
SHUT OUT BY HIGH RATES.
SAVANNAH MERCHANTS SAY THEY
CANNOT DO BUSINESS IN FLORIDA.

Rates on Several Classes of Freight
From Savannah to Florida Points
Raised-JacksonviIle Is Nearer ana
Gets Better Rates-Freight Traffic
Manager ID. II. Jack Says an ADJUST
ing Meeting Will BE Held.
GrOcers' Association VIII Try TO
Get MiIease Books Restored in
Florida.
Freight rates from Savannah TO Florida
points are not what local wholesale mer-
chants think they should be, and rail-
road men admit that little adjustment
would not be out of ihe way.
For some months the merchants have
been dissatisfied with the rates They say
Savannah is Disseminated against in favor
Of Jacksonville, and that it is impossible
to send trveling men into Florida with
the results that should obtain.
There have been one or two moves of
late upon the part of the railroads that
have added to the discomfort of the mer-
chants, one being the withdrawal of the
mileage books in Florida. When this was
done a few weeks ago a protest followed
from the merchants of Savannah, who are
accustomed to have three and four meI.
each travelling at the same time in
the state. The increase in the fare made
necessary by the withdrawal OF the books
makes a considerable item of expense in
a year, and the merchants want the roads
to restore the books or make some other
arrangement by which lower rates can
be secured
1T is claimed Jacksonville wholesale
houses are favored in passenger rates, and
that they get concessions from the roads
that are denied Savannah A drummer
for a Savannah firm told his employers
an interesting story a day or two ago. A
Jacksonville drummer. he said, always
gets receipt now from the railroad
agent when he buys a ticket. The trav-
cling man did not know what arrange
ment is had between the roads and the
Jacksonville houses. He thinks there must
be something to make 1t to the advantage
of the Jacksonville people to get the re-
ceipts. A member of the firm was asked
if his drummers cannot also get the re-
ceipts. II guess they cam he said "but
1 do not see what good they could do us.
We would not know what to do with
them. Unless we have some kind of an
agreement we cannot get a rebate"
Mr.. d. F. Jack, freight traffic mana
ger of the Plant System, was asked about
the rates protested against by the mer-
chants He said TIE Plant System is
ready TO do all it can for Savannah. There
is no discrimination, he said, that is con-
Cured in. by the road. Mr.. Jack says
meeting of representatives of all the lines
interested in the Florida business from
Savannah and from Jacksonville will be
held within two weeks for the purpose of
re-adjusting the rates 1t is not yet
known where this meeting will be held.
! The place of meeting must be contingent
| upon the convenience of the officials.
Some months ago the rates on certain
| classes of freight from Savannah to Flor
! ida points were advanced, particularly the
rate on heavy freights. Only a few COM
modities are hauled at the old rate.
| Among the items upon which rates have
been advanced are salt, fertilizers, meat
and flour 1t will be the object of the
meeting to SO arrange the rates as to re-
move, so far as possible the cause of COM
| plant on the part of the merchants.
Mr.. Jack says the greater distance of
points in Florida from Savannah makes it
natural that rates should be lower from
| Jacksonville and other Florida distribut-
ing points. He says the basis is not made
| upon mileage. That, however has some
sible for the increase.
Matters are about evened up" Mr.
| Jack said, when the through rates to the
| destination of goods are considered. That
is, provided the water routes preserve
their rates. These routes are not der
the interstate commerce commission, so
rebates may be given without fear of the
cases beng taken up. If the rates are
maintained between New York and Jack
sonville, which are scaled according to
/ classes from 10 to cents above those
from New York to Savannah then the
cost of transportation to the destination is
| the same via Savannah or via Jackson
vile. The differential in Savannahs ia
vor via the steamship routes is offset by
the advantage Jacksonville has in the rail
rates"
In reference to the withdrawal of the
mileage books in Florida Mr. Jack said
the merchants should rest quiet as there
Will now be no uncertainty about whit
may be granted competitors There has
always seemed to be a feeling. he said.
that the roads were making concessions IA,
one merchant that were NOT enjoyed by
another Some thought a competitor was
being supplied with mileage books flee
on account of the shipping he did by a
certain line. Then there have been els-
picions of rebates and other things to keen
the merchants disturbed. Mr. Jack cays
tne Idct OF all the merchants being now
placed on the same footing and knowing
that nothing in the way of concessions cen
be secured should induce them to accent
the withdrawal of the mileage books.
Rates from the West to Savannah and
Jacksonville, and, in fact, to Port Tampa,
ave about the same. On pro-
ducts received from the west
there can be no question about
the Florida distributing points enjoying
advantages. The local rates are in their
favor and the through rates being the
same, they can place goods with their
buyers at figures that cannot be reached
by Savannah.
A leading railroad official whose line
is not interested in the Florida business.
was asked about the situation. at is
folly" he said, for the merchants Of sa-
vanuah TO want to get into Jaeksonville's
legitimate territory. He considered Flor
ida as naturally belonging 10 Jacksonville.
and should be supplied there rather tnsn
liz Savannah. Savannah merchants have
no more right to go down into Jackson
ville's territory to sell goods. he said, than
those of Jacksonville have to come no 10
I