Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-07

Des Moines, Nov. THE Jobbefs'
and Manufacturers Associa ton OF this
city, backed by a number OF large
shippers not in the association, will
have q hearing before the United
States commerce commission in Chi
cago at an early date with reference to
q number Of complaints it has made
against existing railroad rates in and
out OF Des Moines.
One Of the important measures to be
taken up will be the application to-
have Des Moines made a basing point
Tor railroad freight shipments. At the
present time the Mississippi river is.
the first basing point west Of Chicago
and the Missouri river the second Linz
coin has also been made q basing point.
as has also Sioux Falls, while the next
5basing point Is Denver. BY this are
Management the difference between rates
On interstate shipments of freights
from the east to Des Moines and to
Omaha Is out Of all proportion to the
difference in distance, and the same is
Moines shipments. Statistics have
been prepared to show that the volume
of freight originating in Des Moines is
larger than that originating at any
Missouri river town, with the single
exception OF Kansas City; far in ex-
cess of that originating at the Missis-
sippi river towns in Iowa and at Lin
coin and Sioux Falls, and that the
amount OF freight received here is also
greater than at any Of the points ex-
icept Kansas City; still the railroads
/ have persistently refused to recognize
/ 1.-THE claims Of the city to become a bas-
ling point and have granted special IA
ivors in the way of rates to the river
towns. Lincoln, Sioux Falls and Min
Ineapolis and St. Paul. 1t will be shown
THAT the difference III the rates be-
Tween eastern points and Des Moines
ard the Missouri river or Mississippi
Iriver towns is not nearly as much as
1.-THE local rates within the state. For
instance the difference in favor OF Des
lMones on shipments on the same class
5iof goods from Chicago to Dies Moines
and Omaha is not equal to the local
sIrates from Des Moines to over one
9half the intermediate points between
i the two cities.
once before this matter was taken
\ up with the commission, but it failed
Ito receive attention, presumably be-
cause OF. Influential opposition in the
I Interests Of the river towns which were
q benefited by the discrimination. The
last time, however the matter was
\ taken up thru members of the Iowa
n delegation in congress instead Of d.
i rectly and hearing is assured. It Is
4 conf IDENTIFY expected that as result
4 of the hearing the commission will &C
about II to enforce rates that viii make
Des Aioines a basing point and put II
on an equality. distance and all things
considered. with Omaha, Kansas City
Sioux Falls and all other towns at bas,
ing points. If this Is done it will assist
very materially in tile building UP o,
ijobbing and manufacturing interests
AT this point and will prove especially
& advantageous to the development o.
the packing industry in Des Moines
which heretofore has suffered because
iof the extraordinary favors granted
1.-THE Missouri river towns.
At the. same time it Is expected tha
la complaint will be heard from thu
!. shippers of dairy products with refer
"a ence to an alleged discrimination in IA
..Ivor OF shippers Of car load lots a
!. against the shippers of less than ca
-AEload lots and that some minor com
!. lplaints with reference to rates on farm
-limplements, etc. will be heard.