The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-19
BIG MILLERS GO
BEFORE THE |. G. G.
Hearing in New York Is Of Vital
Interest to Mime
apolis.


in New York. The railroads and the
interstate commerce commission are
at it. Minneapolis is represented by
John L. McCaull, who appears on be-
half Of the Minneapolis Chamber of
Commerce; Charles c.. Bovey, who ap-
pears for the Minneapolis millers and
for the National Federation of Mil
lers; e. w. Fairchild, representing
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. interests, and
II. P. Gallaher Of the Northwestern
Consolidated. With these Minneapolis
representatives now in New York are
Herbert Bradley, traffic manager Of
the millers' federation, and Charles
Espenshied Of st. Louis, president of
the federation.
The rate war between the New York
Central and Pennsylvania road, and
the decentralization Of rates on wheat
has finally reached the stage where
federal Intervention has been thought
necessary. The Minneapolis represen-
tatives working with the commission
ers will endeavor to bring about re-
adjustment insuring stability.
That Cut in February.
The present controversy is as serf-
Gus one as the milling Industry mas
been involved in for some time-had
its origin in a reduction Of rates on
wheat by the New York Central about
three months ago. To that line COM
parative stability had been maintained
since 1881, when the New York, Bal
timore & Philadelphia differentials
were established. Before the season
Of 1881-18s2 rates were the same to
the thru ports. Injustice was charged,
New York being on the open seaboard,
and Philadelphia and Baltimore fur
Their removed up the Delaware and the
Chesapeake. Judge T. M. Cooley,
Senator George G. Edmunds and II.
B. washburn, then members Of con-
gress and afterwards Minister to
France. made up the committee that
formulated the rate differentials. New
York was made the basing point and
&c less for Philadelphia and SC less for
Baltimore were the ifferenttals.
While there have been at times many
differences and distur Dances these diff
ferentials have been substantially
maintained ever since, until recently,
when the New York Central an
nounced that it would make the same
rate to New York on wheat as to Phil
adelphia or Baltimore, and the war
began. The result was the final reach
ing Of the absurdly low rate Of two
tenths Of cent bushel on wheat
from Buffalo to New York. Aga1nst
this a cry went up from the north
western n1illers that forced atatent1on
to the injustice to them, and truce
was patched up pending investigation,
The investigation is now on.
Rate War Reaches Far.
The rnillers' argument is that the
| federal government should not permit
rate wars involving the raw material
| entering into a great Industry, When
1 such wars breed decentralization and
affect innocent persons, and that no
cut in wheat rates should be permitted
without an equalizing reduction IN
rates on flour.
eve are fighting for life" said
lanes s. Bell Of the washburn- Crosby
company. "Time was when America
had an immense wheat surplus for ex-
port, and 1t would have been selfish
| indeed on our part to have stood
against low rates for export wheat.
But conditions are changing rapidly
and to-day there is milling capacity
| sufficiently large to absorb nearlv all
| the good wheat raised in America,
could the mills operate continuously
| thruout and sell the product. We
must have equalization Of wheat and
! flour rates. In a year when wheat Is
none too plentiful and we could con-
sumo it all, thereby giving employ
ment to our mills and our men and
helping the country in every way
we find two great railway systems cut
| decentralization. It Is not right and
| the government should not permit it
! If the wheat is to go out at low rates
we must at least have corresponding
i y low rates on -four or we are out Of