The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-19
AMONG THE RAILROADS.
Nothing New Has Developed In The Freight
Rate Situation.
EMERGENCY RATE INJURIOUS TO HOUSTON
Jcbbiug Business Belonging 10 TEX.
AS Is being Driven 10 New Or
leans and st. Louis-Notes.

The adjustment and regulation OF
freight rates is a great deal like the
mechanism OF watch. There are GER
tain distributing centers upon which rates
are based. and when one OF these rates is
disturbed 1t has about the same effect as
fthe breaking of small wheel in watch
lit interrupts and disturbs the whole
situation
In Texas, Houston, Galveston, San Au-
tonic, Austin, Waco, Dallas, Fort Worth
and one or two other points are regarded
as distributing points. and rates are
based accordingly.
When the Frisco put in the Parts rate
on commodities cents per hundred
higher than Texarkana, the wheels OF
commerce were affected and in attempt
ing to repair the damage the Texas rail-
1 road commission simply played havoc, ac-
cording to the statements made by rail-
road and business men. In discussing the
commissions action yesterday the rail-
road meu expressed themselves about as
follows.
Their action was too sweeping. 1t was
like attempting to repair watch with a
crowhar. They priced out all the Wheels
and don't seem to be able to get them
back.
Quite naturally the Texas jobbers look
to the Texas commission to protect Texas
Instead Of doing 50, however. the pill ad-
ministered to the patient, in the way Of
OF the emergency rate, has wrought
havoc and created chaos
Emergency rates are supposed to DO
applied for the purpose of bringing to time
some irregularity in interstata rates. Mild
remedies often work. but in this Instance
the application is regarded as being en-
tirely 10 drastic.
Houston and Galveston merchants are
without Just cause or reason, simply made
TO throw up their hands and permit New
Orleans and st. Louis 20 walk off with the
business that belongs to them. and all
on account of the commissions emergency
rate.
At this season Galveston has been doing
an enormous business in cement for in
stance. The erect of the commission 5
rate is to drive all this business to New
Orleans.
Let us take bagglng and ties into con-
sideration. 1t does not require any great
length Of time to stock UP the interior
merchants. This trade belongs to Texas
, jobbers by right, yet the Texas commits
: sion, looked to by Texans for protection,
has driven this business to New Orleans,
I and the result is that the Texas jobbers.
prived OF their legitimate business, And
the same conditions prevail all along the
line
The above is the sentiment expressed.
not particularly by the railroads, but
by the jobbers az we'll
AS long as this emergency rate is con-
tinued. just so long will New orleans
and st. Louis jobbng houses, who con-
tribute nothing to the support of the
State government or institutions, reap a
harvest and scoop r'bandsome PROFITS
which should properly go TO our home
merchants.
1t was not this roads, but the commits
sion, which started the decentralization. is
. what railroad traffic men say True, the
= Frisco put in a cut rate to Paris, but,
c IL is held that this was not of sufficient
. importance ms to call for the sweeping
emergency rate. The M, X. and T. was
= opposed TO the cut, but when the commits
sion took action, there was nothing left
for the road to do but comply. Other
: roads followed the Katy voluntarily and
then the Sunset-Centrsl lines entered
a protest.
Mr.. Bein. traffic manager of the South
q ern Pacific, remained over in Austin yes
terday to argue the case with the commits
. sion. He is expected back to-day and a
' conference will likely be held on his re-
turn.
Yesterday everything was In statu quo
. so far as the rate situation was concerned,
but the protests made were numerous
= and Vigorous. What the outcome viii be
( no one will predict beyond saying that i
the commission does not give the relief
asked for there is liable to be an awful
Decentralization of tariffs which will be
liable to simply cripple some of the weak
L er lines.
!. losing thousands of dollars daily because
the emergency rate makes II to the adj
vantage Of their customers to buy else
where.
While the railroads centering in Hous
4 ton are working hard to protest this sec
: ton the Kansas City Southern is work,
ing against Houston in order TO buile
Q up Beaumont. This is natural and pa,
: triotic on the part of the Pee Gee ano
Beaumonters appreciate the efforts of TINS
= new Lochinvar in the railway world
!, However officials and commercial agents
:, of those roads which are doing their
+. best TO assist Houston really thihk ina
. they should receive patronage which II
,, diverted to roads which are trying TO tea
, down Houston business In order TO buil'
2 up rival cities. Railroad men are grea
v advocates OF reciprocity. They are VIII
IS ing to assist community and they OK
pect such community, by way OF reclproc
g ity to assist them.
This Is simply a sDeck on the horlIol
: az present, but, like the TeXarkana STU
alton, it may develop into war cloud o
\ considerable magnitude.
COMMISSION RATE STANDS.
A hallway Representatives Trying =
sfraiwhfeu Out Matters.