The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-02
NEW LUMBER RATES.
Comments and Comparisons on the

Comments and Comparisons on the
Commissions New Figures.
Inc reduced rates on lumber and articles
taking lumber rates, promulgated by the
railroad commission of Texas 10 become
effective on the 9th instant. have been
received In official form by the railroad
representatives. in this city, and arc as
published in The Post yesterday.
1t is the consensus OF opinion hero
that the reductions viii leave the status
of the manufacturers and shippers un-
changed; that the railroads viii suffer
serious losses in revenue; that The rctail
dealer will proft by the lower rates. ana
that the consumer will he benefited little,
II any, under the new scale.
While the fact that present rates, 10
cents and less, are undsturbed leaves in
tact considerable short haul territory.
the rub comes to the railroads In the re-
ductions to common points and stations
taking higher rates. the common ponr
rates now applicable being 1Sai cent,
from North Texas mills and 20 cents from
East TEXAS producing points, which VIII
be reduced, under the new tariff, TO 1Iha
and 1S'A cents, respectively.
So Illustrate the present rates from
mills on the sherman, Shreveport ana
Southern 10 Missouri Kansas and Texas
points within 100 miles from the orgi
mating station will not be affected The
rates from Southeast Texas mills to Hous-
ton and Galveston will remain unchanged,
as Will also the present figures applying
as far north on the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas as New Ulm; on the Houston ana
Texas Central to Brenhain and Navasota:
west on the San Antonio and Arkansas Pass
TO Wallis, inclusive; west on the South
ern Pacific to Richmond and Rosenberg:
north on the Santa Fc ard Juternat.onhl
and Great Northern to Conroe, and includ.
Ing all stations on the Columbia Tap.
The heaviest reductos will, Of course.
territory. For example, the rate to ANA
rillofi reduced 3 cents. and the rate to
III Paso IA cents per 100 pounds, % cents
being the maximum within the State unoer
the commissions new tariff. >l!. J
Secretary Charles A. Newning of the
Houston Lumber exchange, said to a Post
representative: THE majority Of the Tim
her men whom | have heard express them
selves in regard 20 che matter sem 70
he grnti6ed ut the fact that the commits
sion did not strike any deeper. So long as
the present system under which the rates
are made is maintained. there viii be NJ
kick from the lumber producers, The nrac
tical effect Of the reduction In this IN
stance will be to deprive the railroads
of certain share of their revenue ana
turn 1t into the pockets of the retail lnm.
Der men of the State. 1t Is very doubtful
IL any portion Of the reductions will ever
accrue to the consumer. As a matter or
fact. the reduction to the greater NUM-
her of points will average but about 80
a car and 1t will easily he seen how liz
tie this can profit the purchasers OF small
fractional parts of n carload of lnnher.
The lumber yards will get the benefit
of IT.. and | presume, they VIII be ex-
tremciy grateful to tile commission ana
the railroads will kick accordingly. SO
long as the present blanket system Is adj
hered to the manufacturers are content
ana will not further concern themselves IN
the matter"
Messrs. Campbell and Sharp at the office
of i. l. Campbell stated that the action
the retail dealers TO the extent 1t might
depreciate stocks now on hand. but tbat
II remained to be seen whether either
now or ultimately the consumer would de
rive any benefit from the reductions. that
being a matter solely for the retailer ia
decide. Ii was added that manpfacturers
! in this part of the state w1uiu not De
affected In any way by the changes