The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-27
IRON OPERATORS
 SEEK REDUCT|OD Say Present Freight Rates Are Now Too High RAIL ROADS WILL ACT Traffic Men in Session in Memphis Yesterday Refused to Act, But the
 Matter Will Be Settled at
 Birmingham Tomorrow.
ROADS WILL ACT

 district have sent out strong appeal to the railroad companies. asking for a re- duction in freight rates on iron.
 Letters have been sent by the operators to the traffic agents of the various lines handling their product in this district, urging that 5O-cent reduction in the rate be made, putting it back where it was before iron went up.
 Iron on Yards.
 It Is pointed out by the iron men that there is now from s1,5OOOOO to s2.0OO,000 worth of iron on the yards here, and the volume is constantly increasing. They gay that unless the railroads make conces- sions in the way of rates they will not be able to successfully compete with the northern and western furnaces. If how ever, the roads come to their assistance. 1t is believed that the larger part of this iron can be marketed before the end Of the year.
 As was brought out through the testi- mony of J. w Mcqueen of the Sloss- Sheffield company before the arbitra- tion commission, the rate to Pittsburg is now s4.s5 and $3.50 to Cincinnati, while the rate to Cleveland, O.. is s4.S5
 Cleveland and Pttsburg.
 Iron is selling in Cleveland and Pitts burg at from si5 to $155O per ton. Don H. Bacon, when on the stand, stated that 1t cost the Tennessee company about $lo per ton to manufacture iron in this dis trict. while J. w. Mcqueen said in his tes- timony, q said that I thought that the least possible cost of production between now and next July would be .50 per ton, and I think it will cost $S.50, even taking into consideration that I hope for a re- duction in wages"
 Iron Mems Argument.
 In concluding their letter to the traffic managers the furnace men say:
 We are now in position where, as a matter of good business policy, we be- lieve that you will admit that the rail- roads should withdraw the advance of 50 cents per ton put on during the last half of 1902, as we are not now able to 
 for our pig iron at the time the advance was made. We are nothing more than partners in the business, and If we are to move the product for the last four months of the year 1t is necessary that the railroads act promptly. We there fore hope that you will give us decis- ion as speedily as possible.
 Traffic Officers Meet.
 A special to the Age Herald from Memphis received last night says:
 Traffic officials of southern railroads met today in session and one of the most important questions considered was a petition from the pig iron manufactur- CTS of the Birmingham district. The basis of the request was that the price of pig iron had declined from ST to SIP per ton and that in view of this decline the railroads should lower the carrying rate. About year ago railroads cen- tering in Birmingham increased the rate on pig iron with a general raise on other products to meet increased cost of rail- road operation. The petitioners ask that the rate be restored to it's former basis. The traffic officials. after a lengthy and careful discussion, declined to act on the petition, but referred 1t to meet ing to be held in Birmingham Friday. The reduction asked was about 50 cents per ton. The matter is in the hands of Chairman Moody of the Birmingham iron committee. Those present at to- days conference were: Walker D. Hines vice president, and c. B. Comp ton. traffic manager of the Louisville and Nashville; H. F. Smith. traffic man ager of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad; J. T. Hudson, traffic manager of the Illinois Central; A. s. Dodge, traffic manager of the Frisco System; J. M. Culp, traffic manager of the Southern.
 The conference continued through the entire day and many important matters were taken up, but laid over until a future meeting to be held in Louisville or Cf Iouis