The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-19
news OF RAILROADS
METROPOLITAN MERCHANTS MEET
IN COUNCIL ROOMS OF JOB
BEERS UNION
DISCUSS HARDWARE RATES

Representatives Present From Chi
cage, Omaha, St. Joseph, Duluth
and Observation-Disclosures j. Wait
Advances the Claims of ST. Louis
Business Men-RumOred Resignn-
ton OF Passenger Agent Lynch.
Hardware jobbers from Omaha, st.
Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Kansas CITY
and Chicago met yesterday at the Job
hers union with representatives of the
freight department of the Western roads
reaching points in Montana, to urge their
claims regarding changes in rate differ
entails en- hardware from Chicago and
Missouri river points into Montana The
conference occupied the greater part of
the morning and adjourned at l O'Clock
Both sides of the question were argued
and present rates discussed to the small
est details. The matter was left in the
hands of the railroads for consideration,
and decision will be announced as soon
as they have an opportunity to confer.
The jobbers present from outside points
were J. J. Wait, traffic manager Hib-
bard, Bartlett, Spencer & Co., Chicago;
w. 5. Wright, Rector & Wilhelmy Co.,
Omaha; ]. A. Warner, Wyeth Hardware
company, st. Joseph, Mo; w. NJ. Glass,
Lee, Glass, ANDERSEN Co, Omaha; w.
Z, Tricllett, Kansas City Transportation
bureau; A. NJ. Marshall and D. G. Black,
Marshall-Wells Hardware company, Du-
luth; &. ]. MOles, Janney, Semple, Hill
& Co., Minneapolis. St Paul jobberS
tod Nv yirI- IL
Hurry, T. G. Walther Jesse Gregg and
c. c. Townsend. The railroad officials
in attendance were G. o. Somers, Great
Northern; J. B. Baird and Robert Ran
toul, Northern Pacific; w. H. Knight,
general agent Union Pacific, Chicago.
The St Louis jobbers arranged to have
their claims presented by James ]. Wait,
of Chicago, and no representatives were
present in the conference from that city.
Owing to the position of the two cities
with reference TO the Eastern sources
Of supply and the rail connections with
Montana points, their claims were prac-
tically the same. The session opened at
10 o'clock, and the Chicago jobbers, rep
resenting the faction wishing for changes
in the present differentials, were allowed
to present their claims first.
The opening argument was made by
James ]. Wait. He gave an extended ex-
PLANTATION of the position and views of
the jobbers from Chicago and the terri
tory southwest, stating that under the
present conditions they were put at
grave disadvantage in competing with
Northern jObbers in Montana and adjacent
territory, on account of the lake and rail
rates available to Twin Cities and Du-
luth jobbers, which are lower than all
rail rates. To Montana points, he stated,
Chicago jobbers pay 60 cents more
than is charged from Missouri river
points. Chicago jobbers complain of the
rates from Cleveland and points East,
territory including the sources of sup
ply, the distance being approximately
the same to Montana points as via Du-
luth. The transportation companies
rates to Western points are very low,
and Chicago objects to having this bust
ness pass at rates lower than are avail
able to their jobbers.
AS a remedy to the present unfavorable
conditions the suggestion was made that
the rates from Cleveland West be raised,
and, failing in this the rail rates from
Chicago and st. Louis to Montana points
be reduced. This would place Chicago
and st. Louis on a footing enabling them
to compete with Duluth. Minneapolis, ST.
Paul Kansas City and the jobbers at
Missouri river gateways.
The argument of the Chicago and ST.
Louis jobbers was continued by several
other members of the delegation, but
was not accepted by the Twin City and
Duluth representatives. R. A Kirk,
Frank Hurry and T. G. waIthers opened
the case of the Northern shippers, claim
ing that the method proposed, that Of
lowering the Chicago rates, was unfair.
unless the rates from the Twin Cities
were prOpOrtiOnately reduced. The main
tenance of the present differentials was
insisted upon, and the claim advanced
that change such as proposed by the
Chicago jObbers. would react upon the
hardware merchants of the cities and Du-
luth in a manner even more decided
than the effect of the present rates on
the market south of st. Paul and Min
neapolis.
After the presentation of the claims
of the opposing delegations a general dis
CussiOn was opened, in which nearly
every one present took part. Railroad
men are of the opinion that the present
differentials are allowable, and that ST.
Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth, as well
as Kansas City and Missouri river points
are entitled to them. The Chicago deal
ers have presented the same claim be-
fore, and the effort to secure the change
in rates gives little prospect of success.
The arguments submitted were taken
under consideration and will be digested,
after which the railroad officials will hold
a conference and announce their decis-
ion.