The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-10

President James j. Hill took excep-
ton to the remarks of MIR. Bowers to
the effect that the reduction of rates
on the Great Northern was involun-
tary. fgg
1--WE were not compelled to reduce tho
rates." said Mr.. Hill. I'VE could raise
the rates and justify and depend on in
crease
'The bulk of the traffic establishes the
cost of traffic. With three times the
bulk of traffic it is reasonable to as
sumo that the cost will be reduced one
third. Coming this way the principal
freight is grain. wheat; coarse grain
will get the most Of the grain in the
southwest. That is the important in
fluence In controlling the business. The
interstate business is furnishing the
state Of Minnesota its rates and its In
come" s-~s.
Judge Wilson, of the Omaha. said
ther was no doubt that the people in
the southwest were entitled to lust and
reasonable rates. Their only conten-
ton was the southwestern rates were
higher than the rates on northern lines.
The Great Northern and Northern Pa
cific can take a long train of wheat
from its initial point and carry it un-
broken to the terminal point, while the
southern roads are obliged to carry
III.
conditions in the two sections are en-
tfrely different, said Judge Wilson. and
arguments that seem conclusive are no
arguments at all.
SENATOR MILLER'S FIX.
Senator Miller said it appeared to
him that the people in his locality
were far enough south to come In for
high rates on products and far enough
north N in tha frl,,
merchandise and he thought they had
cause for complaint. He thought there
should be some way to compromise
rates ON both classes of freight
General Traffic Manager J. T. Clarke.
Of the Omaha, said the tariff on flax
varied greatly which was due to local
and peculiar conditions. Mr. Bird said
the discrepancy was due partly to the
fact that the flax shipments are much
less than wheat, but that no one could
tell exactly why the rate varied at
neighboring points.
1T may be that in the southwest
rates need revising said Mr.. Hill.
but whatever Is done in Minnesota
must apply also to theiDakotas. and
town would be large and material
one when applied to all points. This
state is getting the benefit Of the busi-
ness, which originates terminates
in this state. while the other states
pay the bills"
Mr.. Earring suggested that the con-
ference be continued at a later day
when all the representatives of the
roads could bring their tariff sheets
and be prepared to go over the whole
situation. .-
Senator Miller said there was no
question that the people in the south
west We're charged too much for, freight
and thatvthe railroad men could best
adjust matters, If they felt so disposed.
He did not think. it worth while to hold
another meeting.
AIfs, a general reduction in rates is
wanted" said Mfr. Hill, .'it night be
| reached by a comparison of tariffs.
Railroad wages in this state have irI-
creased 40 per cent, Which IS an argu-
ment for raising rates. The state
| wants more taxes, and if the matter
| is carried beyond a reasonable point
| you will fall down, as you did in the
| milk case, and if it is successfully car
| rfed on. free government will be at
an end. conditions may arise where
| one place may not be justly treated,
| and 1t has a reasonable cause for
| complaint, but if an attempt Is made
| to reach general reduction Of rates
| it will fail. The people have not been
ready to look upon a railroad invest
ment as they would on an investment
| of their own. In Duluth the Great
| Northern gives a low rate because the
people need it. They cannot raise
anything but wheat You are not in a
position to get a general reduction, and
what you are getting is paid for by the
people in other places. If it were not
for Nebraska you wouldn't ship a
trainload Of grain a day"
1t was agreed to adjourn the confer
ence to Feb. %. when all rates will be
compared.