New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-19
TAKE UP DIFFERENTIALS-
Interstate Commerce Commissions
Hears Protests of Ne1C-Y orkers-

The Interstate Commerce Commission yesterday
began Investigating derential fzeight rates 70 tbs
seaboard from the West merchandise intended
fer expert. Grain rates chiefly and those all
export goods generally viii be considered Scores
CT commercial bodies in various States had rep
resentatives present and n&lrly every railroad
East Of Chicago was represented by officers or
counsel
Benjamin L Fairchnd who with John G.
Carlisle was present in behalf OF the Merchants
Association, was heard first He said New-York
wanted only just and equitable rates 70 all ports.
from which rates the commercial interests could
make their own choice IN principle he said
New-YOrk opposed the dlfferenUal agreements
and wanted free competition. free enterprise md
the perfection Of economies. New-York with It's
perfect harbOr and facilities was entitled 10 open
competition for those reasons alone Locally
New-YOrk had suffered from di1erentials- II it
had the same domestic rate Philadelphia and
Baltimore, and This rate lower than the eN-
port rates it could export on domestic rates
Now, the domestic rate being higher. New-York
had no favors shown il.
Charles S. Haul.n. OF Boston. general counsel for
the Boston Chamber Of Commerce. said Boston
asked no favors and wanted only recognition for
fairness against dinereatiaIs favoring Phiadei-
phia- Baltimore and other Southern ports. Boston
wanted 10 De placed with New-Y0rk in a plea for
equal export and import rates.
George W Petit. representing the Philadelphia
commercial bodies. said:
The diTerentaI was established as a treaty OF
roads and public both suffered In ISL the rail-
wars, When the diIerentials were finally estab-
hshed II because their business was established
BY competition by natural law This commission
had and has right 70 distribute the trade OF ths
United States the Constitution Of the United States
prohibits IT, Each interest engaged in this coutrO-
versy seems 70 philadelphia 70 be entitled 10 the
territory il has conquered and the right 70 IL
should not be arbitrarily rc-oved
Arthur G. Brown. OF Baltimore. representing tbs
Board OF Trade and Chamber Of Commerce OE
Baltimore, said The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
was the shortest route from the grain country TO
the sea and should never De required pay a pen
ATTY Tor Us geOSrap hlcaI advantage The Pen1Syl-
yana Railroad could carry freight cheaper TO Bait
more than IL could 70 New-YOrk. and stood in the
same position as the Baltimore and Ohio.
Mr.. CiUilfOrd. traffic MANAGER OF tbs Nev-YOryz
Central. a witness Tor the Merchants Association
of Newly DIRK testified 10 ten cent and a five ce.r
ClIlerentla4 on TO pounds taVOr OF BalrirnOrs
thirty years ago. and. finally. diferentaI agree
nleht N 81 following a rate war among the rail-
AIR GuiIford said that in 1894 the New-YorIz
central, Erie and LehIgh Valley railroads agreed
s,lln Jhe pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio
SLat the last TWO named were TO carry grain
.sLI cent 2 DJShsI cheaper than the other tnrea
IHls was zone because il was thought best. for
- L--@ Serlhern roads could rot afford % have the
ne agreement was abolished in 1925
DiIIerentlaI rates. Mr.. GufOrj said. caused rail-
ROAD wars, destroyed stability OF trade and were a
commercial threat conscaDtlv He would abolish
lhenl by making the lowest rate the uniform rats
I4L rates worker an INJURY 70 this city The New
York Central did not get chance TO compete Il =
So l-5iL 20 WIS aIoiJrt5rlIy obLSed 70 carry at
and Philadelphia charged. 1t was a case Cf taxing
EeW-4 ork Tor the benefit OF other ciJias. The
dHIerAntlal agreement was forced the railroads
% stop a rate war. AMI was NOT reasonable when
IL was conceived.
The Investigation was continued to this morning
EeCe Tor The rest Of the week Next Tues law -
VIII resume here consideration Of the coal question.