The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-29
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Something About its Efforts to Correct
Classification OF Freight Rates.

SIGSSl1ICICIOn Oh = sC's III AsatS--
Although the Chamber of Commerce
has on Two previous occasions referred 10
the new Southern classification. described
its injurious effects, ana stated WHAT "15
being done through its Inland Irade Com
mittee and Traffic Bureau IN the premises,
1t IS stll N continuous receipt OF most
urgent appeals Tor assistance from some
Of It's members VINO pay Que regard 10
the effect OF freight rates upon their nust-
ness. II is therefore proper to say, Iof
the information OF that ctuss OF It's mem
UerS. Well as tor DINERS, WHO VIII,
tier on, learn to their cost, unless reAel
IS obtained, the far-reachlng ana dlsas-
trous effect of this new CLASSIFICATION, that
the Traffic Bureau of the Chamber, III
conjunction with similar organizations in
other cites, has been and stiil Is putting
forth most strenuous efforts 10 secure tHe
one Of the most pressing necessities was
the immediate correction of the classi1ca-
ton OF canned goods TO points N South
Carolina, and through the active efforts
of the Traffic Bureau the classification TO
these points has been restored. Nh!e
tbs is u most important article OF trace
with the South, and the correction IS very
gratifying, the advances made N TINS
classification are OF such a sweeping and
wholesale character tnat, as stated before,
the only practical and satisfactory soiu-
ton is the restoration of the old classtt-
cation, and this should be done without
further delay, as shippers have already
is considered q most unw!Se and unJusti-
fable action on the part of the curriers',
taken apparently With utlSi N-5l eSti!t VI
the interest OF their patrons, who had no
opportunity of being heard before the in
jury was inflicted.
That this situation IS becoming intoler-
able, and TO show that the utteranCes OF
this Chamber IRE very dispassonate, II
will be instructive to read extracts from
the petition OF the Merchants Association
Of New York to the Classification Com
nltttee OF the carriers. After desert ing
the advances in this classification in great
detail, the paper referred to goes on to
again. comparison of the old with the
new classification list shows that since
OF these 80 articles have been advanced
from second to first class, - from third
to second 50 from fourth to third. SO from
fifth TO fourth, 10 from sixth to fourth,
and 46 from sixth to fifth, etc. Many in
stances. too, are found of advances from
fourth to first and from third to frat 3:
classes lower than sixth are gradually
disappearing from the list, OF these lower
by letters, 1o9 appeared in the classitica-
ton governing prior TO February 1st but
there are now 10 be found but IS. the bal
ance having been advanced to higher
classes. In addition TO these advances,
Classification No. y contains over 10 in
stances Of discriminat:on. against buyers
of small los of merchandise, as there APP
pears TINT number of new distinctions
made between the rates on carloads and
less than carloads. II mas be
claim that during the era Of depression
their rates We're reduced to encourage
trade, but in the next brenth, when pro-
tests are made against unreasonable ad-
Vances. they deny that the rate OF freight
makes material difference. claiming the
6er pays it and epenaRts a Sho }b
advance to their prices and pass the add
ed burden along.
1t is volume of business rather than
percentage of profits that commercial in
tereSts are seeking to-day, put When the
traffic statistics begin to, show that the
to increase their trade and areas OF dis
fribut:on are meeting with success, It
seems that the resulting increase in rail
road earnings has the effect OF so stlmu-
hitting the avarice of managers that the
temptation to play for h sner stakes proves
too strong for their business Judgment:
The slow progress OF the South, not
withstanding its great natural resources.
is one Of the best illustrations of the eff
feet OF high freight rates ana narrow
transportation policy. You have for years years.
to q large extent, isolated yourselves
through what appears TO those accus-
toned to broader methods a business
your producers. consumers ana connect
ing lines in contiguous territory, that IS
narrow TO the point OF seLtisnness, ana Eot'
are also more often in conflict with tn. the
are railroads of any other section There |
is need Of greater nctivity ana more DIVER,
serve, and You can contribute more TO |
that end than any group or men IN the
South but you cannot help your people, |
which IS the first step toward heiplnS
by raising your freight rates
the foregoing extracts are that the first |
paragraph shows that out of $500 articles
COMPOSING the entire classi5icatton, ls11
attributed TO the carriers in the second |
para pa "a graph in reference to, the consumer
paying the freight. and that, therefore, |
vance to their prices and pass the burden |
along, is that the statement ignores the
fact that an advance in prices limits IS con
tribution. and agatn. that the merchant IS
not always able TO add the advance but
has TO meet the prices of compeIIns mer-
have not had this burden added: and,
finally. that the last paragraph Is most
striking and important one Win reIeience
development.