The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-25
TnnSCOnlInenlaI Managers 10 Have
an Important Meeting.
WILL AFFECT EVERY ROAD
All Oriental Lines But One Have
SlgnIlled Their Intention 10 At
tend the Meeting.
srnilln pnri .Intelllgencer.

There In 10 be- a conference Of North.
western transcontincntni line freight
managers within n few days AT 81, Paul,
which. IL " given out. will be for the
purpose Of making an effort to come to
some kind Of an agreement for the res.
toratlon and inoraAu ~ frcighS rates
from 81. Paul 10 the Pacific coast and
the Orient Notices of the mcsting have
been sent 10 Canadian Pacific, Northern
Pacific and Gr'at Northern freight
agents and at present much gpecula-
tlon In rife ~ TO what will the outcome
Of what ls considered one OF the most
important meetings IN freight circles
for many months, II is stated by those
ia a position 10 know some OF the facts
thai behind che mesitlng aI0 the thrce
trans Pacific ocean freight lines. and
that an agreement has b,scn talked over
which. II contaminated. will result In
not only an Increase In the local and
through ralcs from 81. Paul to Seattle
on many OF the articles now being car
ricd In grglt tonnage. but also In the
rates on food stun building material
and raw produce to the Orient
From an official source II ls learned
that for some months past the steam
shlp lines Of both the Great Northern
and Northern Pacific have bccn urging
the putting into effect OF a higher com
moh-point rae to Japan and China,
Under the present arrangement. the
beats receive but percentage OF tho
rate made IN ST. Paul or further west
To the orient. This percentage, owing
to the limited tonnage OF the boats. has
not been sufficient To pay, one of the
causes for lhis lies In the fact that the
United States Is importing but very
small amount from japan and China.
and consequently the freight boats nrr
to return herc light loaded
and ofttimes carrying water baAast
On this account It ls claimed that the
through rate must be increased in or
der that they may continue In business.
Tn, grcal trouble heretofore. and In
fact ever since the advance In Oriental
freight rates was made six months ago,
has been that the Canadian Pacific re-
fused to enter into any such AN ar
Within the past 80 days the British
government has impressed several OF
the Canadian Pacific boats, both on the (
and Australian runs, which I
has so reduced the company's tonnage ,
that higher rate must be sought For
this reason. when the matter was again ,
preached. the ROAD was perfectly will
Ing to put the rates as high as any Of
The American lines wanted them.
THO now arrangement, II successfully
carried through, will affect freight rates
On every road In the United States car
.ylug goods TO the Pacific coast for ex-
port. lnasmuch as n through rate is
made by the original shipping line.
There II only one Oriental line that
,aa not yet signihed It's intention to at
end the meeting. The San Francisco
Inc is said TO be yet holding out, but
n all probability viii come in. as the
mall business done by Il comes to
arge extent from Southern California.
10 the meeting is success, and there
$ no one In railroad circles who does
lot think II will be. local rates will also
70 up. Owing to the great dearth Of
ars for Coast commodities and ship
nents to this point the various lines
AVE long been looking for an excuse
o increase the rates Under the steam
hip deal this will be furnished, and a
.eneral Increase is looked for in the new
ariffs TO be issued after the meeting
n st. Paul.