The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-12-18

Master minds behind the great rail-
road merger are said to be preparing a
master stroke to influence public senti-
ment. 1t Is reported upon what seems
to be excellent authority that the present
plan is to file new tariff sheets, with the
railroad and warehouse commission COW
ering the Great Northern and the North
ern Pacific There is proposed a general
recasting Of rates between the twin cities
and points north and west. Rate clerks,
under orders from the traffic heads, are
said to be working night and day in prep
aration of the tariffs. which are to be put
out as soon as possible. Without doubt
they will be seen before the extra ses-
sion of the legislature, and for obvious
reasons that would be good time to
bring them out.
On their face, the new tariffs will show
reduction in freight rates Just how
great is not known, but they will be so
devised as to make the reduction ap-
parent.
James J. Hill and his lieutenants real
ize that the masses of the people are
against them, that their consolidation
scheme is almost universally condemned,
and that an outraged public sentiment will
find a vent in hostile legislation if it is
not checked. The rate changes will be a
daring bid for popular favor. The merger
ties will say:
Didn't we tell you this would be a
good thing for the people? We are saw
ing money by this consolidation, but we
will not take it all ourselves. We are
letting you shippers and consumers have
part of the benefit. We are letting you
in on our good thing. Don't you see how
foolish you would be to stop us?"
Hardly Pure Philanthropy.
This concession will be discounted for
two reasons In the first place, it will
be only to evident that the reduction only
comes as result of the agitation started
by Governor Van SAINT
Then again, it will be we'll to reserve
decision until the new rates have been
sheet are so many that layman is easily
deceived. 1t takes an expert to figure out
their true meaning. For instance, it will
not profit the shipper If the rate on his
class is lowered and his commodity is at
the same time advanced to a class above,
which takes a higher rate. There are
various ways Of reducing rates without
cutting profits. Shippers will reserve
Judgment until they have made use of
the new rates. and know exactly what
they mean. They will say thank you, :"
to the gift horse, and then examine his
teeth.
Even bona fide reductions will not salts
fly the shipper. AS Senator Jones, OF
Morris, expressed it yesterday, under the
consolidation individual dealers will be at
the mercy of the railroad companies, who
can make or break a man. Many are
afraid now to come out in the open and
express their real feelings. With all the
lines under one head they would not dare
say a word. A too outspoken shipper
might want car ever so badly, and 'un-
avoidable delays" would detain it for
weeks, until it would have to be handled
at a loss.
general reduction of rates cannot be
expected Under the tremendous cap
italization Of the Northern Securities
company the railroads cannot make any
substantial reduction in charges and pay
the promised dividends.
The G. n. Well Watered.
That immense increase of Great North
ern stock has opened the eyes of the
people In two years time the stock has
increased from $25, ,OOO,O 600 to $125 200, 900,
just FIVE fold. 1t must still pay divi-
dends The face value of the railroad
has increased five times, and who has Gre
ated it? The people who ship their grain
and receive the necessities Of life over the
line know that it is their money which
has swelled the fortunes of Mr. Hill and
his friends. They will demand more than
crust. They will demand that Mr..
Hill, instead of cutting another melon
for the private rejection of his coterie,
pass it around generously to the people
who helped him grow it.
Chance for Railway Commissioners.
Rate reduction is bound to come as a