Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-05
SHIPPERS AROUSED
Proposed Change In Rules Equivalent
to Big Advance in Freight Rates
Tho Uniform Bill Of Ladins-com-
rneree Commission to Investigate.

Chicago, Dec. "a proposed change
in rules, equivalent to an advance in
freight rates Of $25O,OO0,o00 year, as
declared by shippers, will be investi-
gated by the interstate commerce COM
mission, beginning this morning In the
United States court room in the Mo-
nadnock building.
The increased rate, it is said, will be
the effect Of the new uniform bill Of
lading decided on by all railroads OPP
Grating between Chicago and New
York and north of the Mason and Dix
on line The 300 railroads involved
will be charged specifically with vio-
lation of commerce laws by unjust
discrimination and an unreasonable
advance in freight rates. They will
be represented by committees and at
torneys.
More than 100000 shippers are vital
ly interested in the investigation, which
may continue longer than week. For
ty of them are in Chicago, chiefly as
witnesses, These represent nearly 100
organizations OF shippers or manufac-
turers.
The Illinois Manufacturers Associa-
ton and the American Shippers AS
ISOLATION are taking the lead in the
fight A preliminary conference with
delegates from other organizations was
held on Saturday in the rooms OF Sec
rotary John M. Glenn Of the Illinois
Manufacturers Association, and con-
tlnued the greater part Of yesterday at
the Auditorium annex, in the apart
ments of Levy Mayer, attorney for the
Manufacturers and Shippers Associa-
tons. Evidence was discussed and
proof FORMULATED.
The new bill of lading, which is to
| 20 into effect on January l, provides
that all goods transported at existing
| freight rates must be at the owners
liability. If the carriers assume the
liability 20 per cent is added to the
tariff This practically will amount,
1t is contended, to advance of 20 per
cent in the freight rates for most mer-
chandise, and for produce, manufac-
tured articles, hay, grain and lumber.
Some Of the other reasons given by
the shippers for opposing the new bill
of lading are:
It always has been customary for
railroads to accept freight at carriers
risk.
Railroads content that damages and
losses have made the new ruling i'm
perative, but there never has been a
year, it is held, when the actual loss
amounted to more than s7000,00O. In
view Of this, they say, the plan gives
the railroads profit Of $243,O00,00O a
year.
If the railroads responsibility for
freight is eliminated, the carriers
would have no object in tracing lost
freight or replacing damaged freight.
This cannot be done by shippers, who
cannot afford to lose the goods.
An increase in freight rates In the
last four years by changing the ciassi-
fications already has amounted to
s155 ,00o, 900 more than it would under
the former classification. In the same
time the mileage has increased from
1873 900 to only 100000 miles.
The new bill Of lading is not negot-
liable. Most Of the railroads have adj
mitted they desire more revenue, but
the Illinois Central, Chicago and East
ern Illinois, and railroads in the south
and west have repudiated the new bill
Of lading.