The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-25
Low RATES ARE CONCEDED
Sunset-CentraI Makes Low Cora
Rate for Deserving Farmers.
THOSE INTERESTED MUST ORGANIZE.
Roads VIII Ask that Corn Shipped Under
the Special Rate Be Consigned 10 a
Particular Representative.

The movement on the part Of the Tsxas
farmers to secure low corn rate from
the railroads, which was started several
weeks ago at an institute held at Calvert
IS meeting with favorable results Gen
ersl Freight Agent Dunlap of the Sunset
Central Ines. stated yesterday that his sys-
tenn had decided % make the farmers an
ofler Of half rate FOR the transportation
81 corn over the Sunset Central lines from
all Interstate points provided the farmers
woule appoint committees In each commu-
nifty and agree 10 allow the corn to be con-
signed to the heads OF these committees,
thus insurng the farmers alone the benefit
OF the reduction and protecting the rail-
roads from wholesale and retail dealers
This is an important concession IN the
pait Of the Southern Pacific system and
will be a source Of qualification to the
farmers ia all parts OF Texas, AS
many Of the other roads will no
doubt follow their lead The bulk Of corn
handled 10y the Sunset Central lines each
year is very heavy. Probably no other
line Iva The state transports more corn an
nually than the Houston and Texas Cen
trail on account at it's broad distributing
facilities For this reason also the reduc-
ton announced by Freight Agent Dunlap
means much tu the farmers.
The freight officials state however, that
this low rate Will not he granted unless
the farmers make an organized movement
10 carry out the conditions, as they are
perfectly willing to help the agricultlralists
of the State. but are determined 20 pro-
tcct themselves from INSCRIPTIONS dealers.
la order tn secure the reduction the farm
erS 10 each community VIII have To choose
some person ms their representative 70
whom the corn may be consigned.
just whit the other roads touching Hous-
learned at present though II is understood
that all are not In favor Of making a re
duCtiou, claiming that the rate is already
low enough. Several freight agents of the
local lines were questioned yesterday, but
none were IN position TO give out any
thing definite
Heretofore the Missouri. Kansas and Tex
as has been accustomed TO grant the farm
ers certain freight concessions In case Of
a shortage lu crops as now prevails. but
Assistant General Freight Agent Noel stut-
ed yesterday that he could make no an
nouncemcnts before hearing from Dallas
headquarters.
The Katy traverses tie great grain dis
trtrts of the Indian Territory, Kansas and
Missouri, So tat the supply Of corn Affect
ed by any reduction made by this road
would he very great
What The Santa Fe and the International
and Great Northern will do could not be
learned yesterday. The local offices have
received no adyiCcs in the matter The lat.
ter road Is not greatly interested, ss the
corn supply uoes not hgure very largely IN
It's Texas freight business. However,
neither the Santa Fe nor the International
aud Great Northern local freight officials
know what will be done nj headquarters.
Though numerous complaints from farm
ers Ia various parts Of the State have been
received 10y him, Mr. Dunlap stated yes
terday that, so far as he knew, no active
steps had been taken by the petitioners &c
appoint the necessary committees. He said
! that IL was little early yet 10 hear from
the farmers, as II win be several week,
| before the corn season opens. The harvest
| Ing Of the crop has been greatly delayed
I by the recent rains.
There viii be practically no corn crop n
! Texas this year and the farmers have asked
! for reduced freight rates on this account
/ as they will have 10 get their supply from
| other States. aud unless the railroads com,
] to their assistance they claim that thel
will surfer great hardship. The railroad
appear willing 10 do q great deal 10 assis
! the farmer in bis distress, and IL will prob
| ably be a question of week or two be
| fore most Of the railroads will make
rate similar 90 that OF the Southern Pacih
I lines
The movement NJ tine farmers 10 secur
lower rate WIS started at calvert sew
cral weeks ago during an institute. an,
was announced In The Post at that time.