Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-04
THOSE GRAIN RATES
Further Information on the Cut
that Effects Virginia.
Relieved that Tho Interstate Conn
mcrcc Commission Has No Juris-
diciion In tho Mnstcr-Thc cues
ton IIuru TO Mcet

The Virginan- Pilot Il few days ago
noted the fact of Il cut in grain rates
from the West to Atlantic ports. and
that Norfolk and Newport News were
left out in the cold, under the new ar
rangcment.
1t seems that shippers at many points
made contracts under the impression
that Virginia points would be equally
favored with Baltimore Washington
and other ports ana have suffered
heavy losses.
The following letter. written on June
eth, by Mr. Joseph Gregg. II heavy
Chicago grain shipper. to Messrs. Il. Il.
Hodges ., Co.. of Norfolk, indica. es
that these unfavorable rates are to con-
tinue for some time. 10 the manifest
ana serious injury to the trade of all
Virginia points
AS perhaps you are well aware,
there was a decline in rates from Chi
caSo To Baltimore and Washington on
June "a from II cents down To cents
on corn. and from ii cents down to 10
cents on oats. making the lowest tariff
rates 10 Baltimore and Washington |
have ever known. We all supposed
WREN these rates were announced that
Virginia rates would also decline: hu.
the lines at Chicago interested In Viz
Sinin business had meeting ana re-
solved not to disturb the Virginia rates
at all. y good many outside points.
however. | unders q ID. jumped to the
conclusion that whatever rates they
we're getting to Baltimore and Wash
inSton would apply TO Virginia cities.
and have been making some very low
quotations. which have completely de-
rrTr1-sI 7Zcd the VIrElnia trade. ] am told
1at- t,... Il
ter that the people who made the low
quotations and made sales on corn
based on what they supposed would be
an cent rate to Virginia cities would
have to pay tho fun tariff rate of II
cents. |. for one. am opposed to the
Virginia lines charging II cents from
Chicago to Virginia cities. while they
are only charging cents To Baltimore
on corn. but have been unable yet to
move them towards making n lower
rate. ana the present outlook is that
the Virginia rates will not be disturbed
at all. The present low rates To Bal
timorc and Washington are not expect
ed TO last long. as they are below the
cost Of transportation"
THE ROADS RESPONSIBLE
Ii was surmised at first that an APP
peal in this matter might be made to
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
but this is now considered improba BILE
~ - ''""V ~ ,u'"H ii"t '"tct-
ing Norfolk or other Virginia points.
For this reason, ii is said, the Inter-
state Commerce Commission has no
jurisdiction in the matter.
The roads bringing grain and corn
into Virginia are the Norfolk and West
crn and Chesapeake and Ohio. These
roads are disinclincd to cut grain rates.
as they have plenty of other business
and don't wish to carry grain below
cost as this is said to be what the other
roads are doing under the present cut
rates.
The Virginia cities now seem 10 be n
the mercy of the roads making the cut.
unless the Norfolk and Western and
the Chesapeake and Ohio can by some
means. cqualize rates by securing n
raise from the cut rates now in force or
make their rates equal to The rates 10
Baltimore. Washington, New York,
Boston and Philadelphia