Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-22
EFFECT OF Low GRAIN RATE
Omaha viii Profit Little II Rate Stands
Only Until May Ia
NO GRAIN OR FLOUR HERE FOR EXPORT
EIevato Men Say Grain VIII Not
begin 20 Accommodate at This
Point Until Time of Com
cession Expires.

Omaha has been granted a dlnerentisl
Of 4 cents above Kansas City on a pro-
portional through grain rate from here to
the Gulf. as was stated in Tuesdays press
dispatches and confirmed by official nou-
hcations sent from head ofhces to local
railroad men in this city yesterday morn
ing.
This is considered a concession to Omaha
and yet local railroad men and elevator
men say there is nothing in IT," for the
reason that there is no grain in the ele-
vators here or at Council BLUFFS to speak
Of and will not be for a month at least.
The rates are to apply from April "a to
May IL and elevator men say 1t VIII be
later than May IL when the grain will be-
gin to accumulate.
The press dispatch says certain Nebraska
lines opposed this rate concession and
others promoted Il. Manifestly the lines
having a monopoly on the grain transporta-
tIon to Chicago for Atlantic export would
be against the reduced rates south, but the
Burlington, Missouri Pacific, Frisco,
Wabash and Rock Island. with southern
cities, would naturally profit by 1t when
there was grain to be shipped.
The rate on this basis would be Fl cents
for wheat and flour and 20 cents for corn,
being 4 cents under the rate from Kansas
City to the Gulf. On the face Of 1t this
would seem to be a big concession and
just what Omaha has wanted for some
time. The concession is made by the West
ern Freight association. But it is believed
the date of expiration Of the rates will
have to be extended before they can have
any practical effect.
No big Movement" Yet.
One of the roads here wired its head
once after receiving the ofncial notification
Of the rates and a request as TO how many
cans would be required for this big move
ment," that It did not have one carload Of
export grain on hand and not a wheel
barrow Of -four. Inquiry at the various
railroad Offices and the elevators ELECTED
the fact that all the elevators are prac-
tically empty and that there Is no imme-
date demand for this rate. The Merriam
& Holmquist elevator has 100, 900 bushels
of oats belonging to the Missouri Pacific,
but no export grain.
e. p. Peck OF the Omaha Elevator COM
pany, speaking of the situation, said: you
might say we have no grain on hand at all
for export trade. And we won't have until
the farmers get their spring blowing and
sowing done so they can give some time
and attention to the selling of their old
crop. 80 per cent OF which l fully believe is
yet on hand. OF course when this grain
begins to sell there is going to be something
Of a movement. but there is nothing doing
now"
While none Of the local freight men will
say that his road has been promoting this
scheme II is pretty we'll understood that
the roads with southern outlets or facilities
of exchanging with other roads, will profit
by the deal. The Burlington, with both IA
cilities east and south, is Indifferent. hold
ing that It cannot yet be determined whether
these concessions viii offer any advantage
over their facilities for Atlantic export
The Frisco, with it's excellent facilities for
getting grain to Galveston and other gull
points. will come out a big winner IL these
rates stand.
General Agent N Promoted.
George N. Weaver, general agent for the
Merchants Dispatch transportation com
pany in Omaha, retires from that position
May / to accept a promotion as the genera
agent for that company at Chicago. H,
will be succeeded by Charles P. shumway
who is now travelling passenger agent fol
the company at Milwaukee.
Mr.. Weaver has been in his presen'
position for eight years. He is one OF thu
best known and popular men in the bust
ness and has hosts Of friends in Omaha VIII,
will regret to see him go, yet be please,
at the substantial reward which has com
to him. Mrs. Weaver has been prominen
in social circles in Omaha and like be
husband has a very large numbe
of friends who will deeply regret he
departure.