El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-06-23

the answer Is not SaLl61acCOry anu L
hope you will comply with our request
tail dealers and consumers OF Texas on
the basis in effect prior to June l,
1898.
The retail dealers Of Texas have no
have no traffic man to
compile Information and present their
pleas tosthe commission. have not SUI
fcient time or capital to spare to be
present at the various hearings called
at the instance of the jObbers and
large dealers of the state. While the
tonnage of the retail dealers is far
greater in the aggregate and OF far
more value to the railroads than that
of the jobbers, they have not the OPP
portunity of concentrating their
freight, and q majority of them being
at non-cOmpetitive stations. they have
not the influence with the railroads
that the jobbers.have, all of whom are
stations
No one appreciates the jobbers of
Texas more than myself, but like other
retailers of the state, 1 object to being
taxed with increased freight rates to
increase the profits of the Texas job
bers.
You are so much more familiar with
Western classification, the rates of
freight, the differences between car
loads aud less than car loads, the rules
as to mixed car loads as in effect to
other states, ETC., that it seems to me
to be unnecessary to call your atten-
ton to the fact that the Texas whole
saler already has far greater pro-
lection than in other states, and yet
asks and you grant him still more.
1 maintain that rule SO prevalent
on mixed carloads as that heretofore
in effect on wire, nails, staples, ETC.,
to Texas-one so universally prevalent
as that rule is known to be-is not con-
trary to any legitimate rule of bust
ness.
maintain further that the differ
ence between $50 as charged on these
articles in car loads and 90c as charg-
ed in less than car loads, is an un-
difference and affords the
Texas jobber protection at the expense
Of the Texas retailer and consumer. l
maintain that the withdrawal of the
mixed carload rule in effect to other
states is still greater protection to the
Texas jobber, who in most cases is also
) retailer.
1t must be we'll known to you that
wire, nails, staples and hay bale ties
Ire manufactured by the same con-
,erns, shipped from the same house,
Ind are aatural mixed carload COM
nodities. 1 do not object to buying
Foods of Texas wholesalers: On the
contrary, they are of great value to
myself and other retail dealers of Tex
10, but their advantage of time, quick
less with which they can fill our ord
RS, etc., is sufficiently great to enable
hem to get higher prices
han we pay IL in ST. ;, Louis, New New
This ia all the protection they need
md when you increase the freight
'ates by Withdrawing mixed carloads,
Increasing the classification on ammu.
litiOn, tinware, galvanized ironware.
tic, as was done under authority of
,ermit the railroads Of the state to I'M
awfully take the money out Of the
,ockets of the retailers and put into
he pockets of the wholesalers.
The withdrawal of mixed rating on
beet iron and corrugated iron (anOther
orm of sheet iron) is subjected to the
anne criticism as made on wire and
ails.
The demand of Texas wholesalers for
he withdrawal of mixed carload rating
n stoves, hollow ware and stove fur
liture seems to me Ito be more mex
disable than others, as it simple taxes
he retailers with but little probability
# benefit to the wholesalers. They |
nay sell little hollow ware and stove |
urniture at higher prices, but they |
an not expect to sell many stoves to
etailers.
These changes have caused the re-
alters of the state to understand that |
hey must look after their own inte- |
ests, and merely hope that not only |
7ill order No. GIG be rescinded, but in |
II future cases the retail dealers will |
re given ample opportunity to be heard |
efore an order affecting them is is
ued. Yours very truly,
G. B Spencer.