Evening star., 1901-08-06
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED
COMPLAINTS OF THE NATIONAL HAY
ASSOCIATION.
Allegations Before the Industrial
Commerce Commission Agaihst
Thirty Leading Railways.

Complaint was instituted today before lne
interstate commerce commission by the Ma
tional Hay Association against the Lane
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroao
Company and twenty-nine otner rdhroaus
doing business in the eastern seclloh VI .he
country alleging unlawful dlscriHliha'ioii
against hay and straw. The complaint selS
forth that the complainant Is an assocla-
ton incorporated under the laws OF the
state of New York, and that among lts
members 1t includes producers OF ana deal-
ers in hay and straw, and that the purpose
of the association is the fostering of trade
and commerce in hay and straw, and ike
products, and to advance the interests OF
those having like business relationship.
The complaint alleges that the defend
ants are common carriers of hay and straw
and other commodities, and are IN Wnat IS
known as the official CLASSIFICATION terri
tory, which includes the New England ana
middle states. The complaint furtner al
leges that for long period OF time nay
and straw have been in the sixth or lowest
class of freight, but that the carriers jan
uary l. 1900, placed these commodities In
the fifth class of freight, thereby increas-
ing the freight by 81 ton on nay from
Chicago to New York and proportlonateiy
for other points; that the excuse given by
the carriers for this change was the neeu
of revenue and that If revenue was needed
the manifestly fair and proper way TO m
articles and the discontinuance of rebates
and rate cutting; that the tonnage OF nay
and straw is in volume greater than any
! one kind of grain or grain product; that
hay and straw are not analogous TO nor
used for similar purposes to the other ar
tices in the fifth class; that many other
articles which at the same time were
placed in the fifth class have since Deen
reduced in classification, but that hay and
straw have been retained in the fifth class,
Notwithstanding the appeals and protests
of the producers and dealers in these ar
ticles; that hay comes in competition with
grain and grain products which are carried
at very low rates of freight, and that as
result of the change the following have
been the results: Diminished demand for
hay. decreased acreage of hay, greatly re-
duced and even trifiing profits to the farm
er, higher prices to the consumer and high
er prices for stock and meat products.
That while for series of years the rates
on competitive articles have decreased, the
rates on hay and straw have been in
creased; that the competition on hay and
straw is greater than the competition on
articles used for the same purposes; that
the freight hay and straw when in sixth
class yields to the carrier as much revenue
and profit the carriage of any other
class of merchandise.
Canadian Hay Favored.
The complaint further charges the defen-
dants-the Boston and Maine railroad, the
Central of Vermont railway, the Boston and
Albany railroad, the New York, New Ha-
ven and Hartford railroad New York Cen
trail and Hudson River railroad Delaware
and Hudson Company, Canadian Pacific
railroad, Canada Atlantic and the Grand
Trunk railroad-with a violation of the act
to regulate commerce by charging less for
the transportation of hay grown upon
Canadian farms than for hay grown upon
American farms; that the tariff on hay is
81 per ton, and that Notwithstanding this
imports of hay have increased enormously
since the raise in classification by reason
solely of the commodity rates which these
defendants have prescribed Canadian
hay, in some cases being as much as three
fourths Of the tariff: that the increase in
tonnage of imported hay has tended to
lower the price of the American product,
and that farmers and dealers must take for
their hay what the Canadian producer is
willing to take for his.
The complaint further prays that after
hearing and investigation the commission
may order the defendants to cease and de-
sist from the unjust discrimination of each
and every violation of the act: that they
cease to charge unreasonable rates on hay
and straw. and that they be required to
place hay and straw in the sixth class of
freight.
The attorneys for the complainant are
John B. Dash, Charles C. Cole and l..
Richard Shpp, all of this city.