The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-24
Goddard Replies to Shippers.

Seymour n. Forbes, secretary of the
Buffalo Merchants Exchange, was the first
representative of the shippers heard yester-
day at the meeting of the Eastern trunk
line and classification committee, in New
York. Mr.. Forbes spoke of the unjust
classification of tinware. both nestled and
Grated, and stamped ware. A. G. Bruins
man and l.. Emerson, of Cincinnati, in
terested in the carriage builders trade
made a protest against the present CLASH
fication. Mr.. Emerson urged a medium rate
upon cheap vehicles wherein competition
had brought the profits down to small
percentage. Protests from several other
carriage builders were heard, and then
VIM. Mechler, of the chemical industry,
and Mr.. T. Z. Hull, representing the brew
ers of Cincinnati, Chicago, Cleveland and
indianapolis, explained the difficulties met
with in these lines under the present CLASH
fication and asked for the old schedule.
.. ID. Person, of Chicago, representing
pressed and paving brick manufacturers,
business. He declared that without new
classification and an adjustment Of the
rates they would be confined to local mar
kets and have to give up the outside work
to the Western dealer.
W. l.. Mccarthy. representing the whole
sale grocers OF New York and vicinity,
SAID tnaI the present cIdSSlncdllOn placed
the small retailer in the smaller towns at
a great disadvantage owing to the discrim-
nation made in favor of large shippers
who could afford to lay in carload lots.
This ended the complaints from the ship
pers and Chairman Goddard stated that
the grievances and protests filed would be
most carefully considered.
In speaking of the fact that the ship
pers were all anxious to return to the
classification of 1898 and 1899. Mr.. Goddard
said there were two or three matters that
1t would be well for the shippers to remem-
Der as being responsible for the schedule
of the last two years That the year 1898
could be safely stated as a year of maxi
mum tonnage, coupled with the further
fact that the year 1899 was year of mini
mum expenses TO railways. THAT is, said
he, railway materials could be purchased
much cheaper than to-day, iron and steel
in many instances being 100 to 200 per cent.
higher now, and the expense of oper-
ating by reason OF this advance necessarily
had to be increased. Rates that meant a
good profit then would mean losses to-
day." The meeting then adjourned and the
classification committee went Immediately
into executive session.
After its adjournment Chairman Goddard
stated that they had only formally Gis-
cussed the situation. while We wish to
satisfy our customers, the shippers said
the chairman, yet ii is practically impos-
sible to make classification that will suit
all. Some features will suit some classes
of manufacturers and be beneficial to them,
yet they will work hardships on others. To
reach an equitable basis will require an
endless amount of labor. Yet all these pro-
tests will be carefully considered and we
will do all in our power to make IL sat-
| isfactory. We will get down to work in a
| few days and continue until IL is finished.
When asked If he had any idea how soon
| the new or amended classifcations would
| be in effect. Mr.. Goddard replied that he