New-York tribune., 1902-02-07
DIsCRIuISATIoy AGAINST THIS PORT.
STATEMENT FROM THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE

STATEMENT FROM THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE
COMMITTEE ON ITS BILL.
A statement was issued yesterday by the commit
tee freight rate discrimination and terminal
charges OF the Produce Exchange support OF the
bill which introduced In the Senate and Assem-
hly at Albany Tuesday. The weak point In the
situation which the bill aims TO eradicate IS that
Of lack OF authority OF the Board of Railroad Com
missioners 10 enforce any of It's recommendations
OF the power of the commission the statement re-
marks:
The commission has taken little cognizance OF in
equalues or discrimination in freight since its
organization. II may be fairly asserted that the
act so far as preventing discrimination in charges
for services Is concerned. is imperative as
lief can be obtained by appeal TO the Board OF Rail
road Commissioners in any case affecting materially
the revenues OF railroad corporation because the
punty as may be instanced By one complaint sub
mtted 10 the commission in the year 1855 relating
imposed for loading vessels with grain from rail-
bea- ~ ,oI t POT oL orK, eItsr
70 the railroad in question that 1t remit this charge
from to ocean vessel provided by the railroads
at great expense are not used as intended necessi
tattng the tghterage from railroad terminal to
ships berth since lSs2 of an average of 64Oo0OOO
The law thus having been proved imperative as
far as excessive charges are concerned. the
case for relief since that time
bv common carriers for ira nsnorta tioy ~
gers or property and for all terminal services shall
be just and reasonable that there shall be no dis
elimination in freight rates terminal charges be
tween shippers II prohibits dlfferentfai
greater rate for service rendered the trans
portation and delivery of property at the port OF
New-YOrk than is charged for the same service
under like conditions by the carrier or under
an agreement with other carriers, any Atlantic
port outside the State. II also provides for n hear
ing before the Board of Railroad Commissioners
for violations of the law and confers upOn the
future. 1t provides that the decisions and recon-
mendatons of the board shall be complied with bv
the carrier unless modified set aside the ST-
preme Court upon the application OF the carrier
The the committee Of the Produce F,N-
change has attempted to remedy the Situation
the Insterstate Commerce Commission is thar ona
chief points OF diversion, Buffalo is WITHIN
the State.
Buffalo" the statement says. "is great strata
gic point within the confines OF our State II having
become distributing point for the products Of tbs
-four and grain for the year 1901 amountfnp 10
lS4 bushels Most of this traffic is distributed
by the trunk lines under differential noOI the
terms Of which that the roads shall charge ON
grain destined for the port Of New-York one-haIf
to cent per hushel greater rate than shall be
charged TO Philadelphia and Baltimore. No differ
ential is allowed Boston traffic but il has become
the custom TO give free insurance and storage at
that point. often amounting almost the entire
freight rate that product to New-York. As a
determines the point Of export OF this product wear
by year New-York's percentage Of exports of grain
has decreased
Figures are quoted to show that New-York's per-
centage of -four. wheat and exported from
the six principal Atlantic ports has fallen from
percentages between 1873 and 1882. to 2S.45 80 %
and % II respectively in 1901. AS export trade in
huences IMPORTS. the committee maintains that the
port is doubly injured by this discrimination