The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-05
Charges Made that Railroads Discrfm-
mate Against indianapolis I'm
Favor of Gas Belt Cities.
E. C. ATKINS APPEALS TO BOARD
SAW MANUFACTURER SAYS C0NDI-
TIoNs ARE OPPRESSIVE
c. G. Perry and Others Declare for
Immediate Action-Grain Men
Aroused by j. 3. Lazarus.

Indianapolis business men are up in arms
against the heavy tribute levied by coal
carrying railroads and are marshaling their
forces for a fight to secure reasonable
reduction of rates. For a long time big
concerns in this city that thousands
of tons of Indiana soft coal annually have
been protesting loudly against what they
declare are exorbitant coal rates from
the Indiana fields. but their plea for fair
treatment has gone unheeded. Now they
have resolved TO bring the matter Of al
legged discrimination squarely before the
railroad officials TO see IL conditions cannot
be alleviated.
The general protest found decisive ex-
preston at the meeting OF the Board OF
Trade governors last night when signif-
cant letter was read by l. S. Gordon which
he had received from II. c. Atkins & Co..
one of the heaviest consumers of soft coal
in the city. The president of the Atkins
company called the attention of Mr.. Cor
don to the fact that Indianapolis manu-
facturers are at continual disadvantage
in competing with those OF other Indiana
cities and even Of Chicago because OF rela-
lively higher rates charged by the rail-
roads for the transportation of fuel from
the soft coal fields to this city. Mr.. Cor
don was urged to bring the matter to the
attention of the governors in such a man
| ner that they would see ut TO take definite
action.
THREE PRINCIPAL DANGERS.
| The appeal found the governors In a re-
ceptive frame of mind. thoroughly alive TO
| the need for a reform of the nature sug-
gested. They realized that because rail-
roads charge more for hauling coal to this
cftv ion alx fhap do for
rying it to Gas Belt cities or to Chicago.
Indianapolis is confronted with three prin-
| cipal dangers 10 commercial prosperity:
First-Inability of manufacturers to COM
pete with profit with manufacturers OF
cities that get far cheaper coal
moving away from Tndiananoiis % tohcsuns TO cif,es
more leniently dealt with by coal carriers.
Third-The disincination Of manufacture
! ing institutions TO remove from other cities
/ to Indianapolis in view OF the excessive
| cost of fuel as compared with conditions
| in other cities.
The conclusion was reached at the met
| ing of the governors Of the Board of Trade
that things have come TO such a pass that
the commercial prosperity and manufacture
| ing interests of the city are absolutely en-
dangered by the high tariff which the reil-
| roads insits maintaining. The express
sion was emphatic that the time for talk-
ing is past; that the time for action has
arrived: that the railroad officials control
ling traffic OF the most vital nature must
be made to see that Indianapolis Is not
! justly treated and must be made TO relax
the iron grip Of high rates.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
As result of intensely interesting dis
cussion, in which almost every member
present had something to say concerning
he dol - II
rates, President John j. Appel of the
Board of Trade. appointed the following
committee to meet a committee to be ap.
pointed by the railroads for conferences.
Samuel F. Gray. general Western freight
agent for the p. c., c. & st. L.: ii. c. At
kins. president of II. c. Atkins & Co. saw
! manufacturers; F. A. w. Davis. vice pres
ident of the Indianapolis Water Company
| These men. all OF whom identified with
concerns which consume an enormous
amount of soft coal annually. ana are.
therefore, affected directly by excessive
rates. will prepare a statement OF what
indianapolis business men believe should
be taken cognizance of by the railroads
and will make a direct appeal for more
generous treatment.
1t will be pointed out by them that the
| Pennsylvania, Big Four and Monon Rail-
| road companies transport fuel from the
Indiana coal fields to the gas belt cities at
the same rate charged for carrying 20 In
| though the distance Is approximately fifty
| miles greater and the difficulties of hauling
| multiplied: that Indiana coal IS supplied TO
| Chicago consumers for 20 cents ton
freight charges. although the haul is l73
miles further from Coal Bluffs. Ind, only
| 10 cents a ton more than Is charged for
transporting to Indianapolis; that rates
| have been increased at least 10 cents a ton
within the past year 10 Indianapolis con-
| sumers. seemingly without good reason.
| and that the policy of railroads Is become
ing more and more discouraging TO In
| dianapolis business men.
The railroad officials win be asked to
| have these glaring Inconsistencies correct
ed II they should fail 10 do SO. II Is not
| stated what action the manufacturers will
take, but their blood is up. and they do not
| propose 10 stop at halfway measures now
| that they have started campaign against
what they deem extortion.
PROTEST FROM ATKINS.
The letter from III. c. Atkins & Co. to I.
s Gordon. which brought about the discus
sion and the appointment OF a conference
committee. is as follows:
'An the users OF coal i'm Indianapolis are
/ at considerable disadvantage on account
| OF freight rates as compared with gas
| belt towns I'm this State, also as COMPARED
| with Chicago. The freight rates are very
much against US here The gas belt cties:
| mines than Indianapolis. pay the same
| rate of freight on coal that we do--60 cents
ton. Coal is shipped from Coal Blufy.
| Ind. 10 indianapolis at so cents ton. the
haul being fifty-eight miles. The same coal
| goes TO Chicago for 20 cents ton freight
| with a haul OF Ia miles farther than In-
| dianapolis. For this additional l73 miles
the railroad companies charge 10 cents =
ton.
'ostensibiy the increase of freight over
| what paid last year is only 10 cents q
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