The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-27
THE RATE SITUATION.
Work of the Traffic Men In Chicago
the TOpic in Uouston.

WORK OF the Traffic Men In Chicago
the Topic In Houston.
Railroad men have followed with interest
tho proceedings of the Texas traffic men
who met in Chicago for the purpose OF
eftecting an adjustment of the Texas rate
situation and which were published ex-
clusively in The Post
Although nothing definite was given out
as to the basis of the agreement reached
whereby rates would be raised on certain
articles OF commerce, it is apparent that
tho traffic men were all willing to make
concessions. AT no time has there been
such a general feeling of uncertainty
amounting to suspicion. each road suspect
ing its competitor OF making secret cuts
under established tariffs
1t was determined that the plan evolved
in the Chicago conference would be sub
mitted to the, railroad commission for
ratification. This plan has not yet been
made public, nor do freight men in Hous-
ton know the basis OF the agreement.
! Considerable criticism OF the commits
sion emergency rate was INDUCED In at
/ the Chicago meeting but 1t is understood
that the emergency rate was put into effect
at the suggestion of certain lines inter-
ested. who appealed to the Texas com
missioners.
No matter now the matter may be finally
adjusted, there Will be the usual wall
from some point, All parties can not be
satisfied. Railroads are democratic. Their
object ia to give the best of satisfaction
to the greatest number, but 1t is difficult
for either the commissioners to determine
at times what In really best, consequently
mistakes are often made.
Certain towns and elements are everlast-
40 ,r,Ia TIA
has been heard and the remedy applied as
they suggest, they hunt up some other
pretoNt FOR causing trouble They have at
last cried wolf. wolf once too often, as
they got the worst of the present melee
they stirred UP.
In their present frame OF mind, traffic
men seem to realize that no matter what
they attempt, they will not be able to give
satisfaction to all parties, so they will dc
what they believe to be what ia Just and
equitable to all interests concerned and
= let the chrouic klckers croak themselves
v hoarse
/ On Wednesday at st. Louis representa-
o tivos OF the Missouri Pacific. Texas and
PaCifc Cotton Belt and TeXarkana and
Q Fort Smith will meet for the purpose OF
. adjusting the TeXarkana Shreveport situa-
. tion--lf 1t is possible of adjustment Thes,
: gentlemen have difficult task to perform
but they may he able to reach a compro-
I mise. which, while not entirely satisfac-
4 tory to all interests, will still form "a gooc
4 working basis, and may eventuate In NOR,
- satisfactory conditions in the future.
[ The Post reporter was informed b!
d a representative OF one OF the interests,
roads that there was not the least like
& lihood of he railroads engaging In litiga
: tion with the railroad commission. o.
. the contrary, he expects a perfectly har
a monious adjustment on basis agreeable
4 TO both the commission and the railwa,
interests. He was not prepared to civ
any details, but said that within the mex
few days a meeting would be held In Dial
las. when the whole subject would b.
taken up and gone over with the Texa
- and Pacific people, who would probabl
agree to raise certain rates to Texarkana
n eliminating from the commodity a numbe
W or articles which would be placed in thei
proper classes, and leaving the Shreveport
v situation to take care of itself. He wa
& of the opinion that the friction IN that di
. rection would soon wear away