The Topeka state journal., 1905-07-13
RAILROAD NEWS.
Illinois Points Get the Benefit
of Freight Reduction.
Shippers Petition to Railroad
Commission Withdrawn.
LOOK FOR SETTLEMENT
Rate War Between Roads May
Soon End.
Gossip and Matters OF Interest
in Railroad Circles.
LOOK FOR SETTLEMENT


minating in Chicago have agreed to
make a big reduction in rates from this
city to other points in Illinois, ard be-
cause of this concession the Chicago
Shippers association yesterday formal
ly Withdrew its petition to the state
railroad and warehouse commission
to order horizontal reduction in rates
in Illinois
The petition to the state commission
to reduce freight rates was made
months ago by commercial organiza-
tions of Bloomington, Springfield,
Quincy and Decatur. and by the Re
tailers' association of Illinois, in all
over 5000 business firms in the state
signing the original petition. A few
weeks ago the Chicago Shippers as
sociation Joined in the fight for lower
freight rates. filing an intervening Pc
t1tion with the commission.
Illinois Tariffs on High Basis.
Testimony taken by the commission
recently established conclustvely that
freight rates IN Illinois are on a much
higher basis than in adjoining states,
and that lower rates are in effect from
Cincinnati. Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland,
Indianapolis and other cities to two
thirds of the state of Illinois than the
rates from Chicago to that territory.
The same discrimination was shown to
exist against Springfield, Quincy,
Bloomington, and other cities.
After hearing the testimony of busi-
ness men from Chicago and other cities
and the testimony of traffic officials OF
the railroads regarding rates in Illinois,
the railroad and warehouse commission
fixed tomorrow as the date for hearing
arguments on the petition for a reduc-
tion of rates to the basis of the Central
Freight association scale. The rates in
the illinois long distance" tariff are
about As per cent higher than those in
the scale of the Central Freight as
sociation, based on mileage
Ever since the excessive rates in Ill
inois were demonstrated to the commits
sion, the railroads have been trying to
find means of satisfying the business
men of Chicago and other cities, and at
the same time prevent the commission
from ordering the horizontal reduction
in rates throughout the state, in accord
ance with the petition filed with the
commission. The traffic officials held a
number of conferences, but failed to
agree on new basis of rates. AT last
the presidents of the principal roads in
the state took up the problem. A j.
Earring, of the st. Paul; Marvin Hugh
lit, of the Northwestern; G. B. Harris,
of the Burlington, S. NJ. FELTON,, of the
Northwestern, and the vice-presidents
in. charge of traffic of several other
roads concluded a conference yesterday
with officers of the Chicago shippers as
sociation which resulted in the with
drawal of the request of the association
to the railroad and warehouse commits
sion for a reduction in rates. The rail-
roads gave satisfactory assurances that
they would reduce their rates from Chi
cago to all points in Illinois to a basis
satisfactory to the business interests of
this city. It is stated that the new rates
will be based on the scale of the Central
freight association from cities COM
petitive with Chicago, the reduction in
rates ranging from 35 to 45 per cent.
The railroads hope to effect a truce
with other cities in the state which have
been fighting the present basis of rates,
and thereby escape a wholesale reduc-
tion of rates throughout the state under
an order of the railroad and warehouse
commission. The railroads claim that
a reduction in rates to and from all
points in the state would cause them
benefit to any community. They de-
clare that they do not want rates which
will prevent shippers in Illinois from do
ing business in this state in competi-
tion with shippers in cities outside of
the state.
Temple Has a New Santa Fe Hospital.
Albuquerque, July 13.-Work on
the new Santa Fe hospital at Temple,
Tex, is to begin soon. It is the in
tention to get the new structure in
shape to use just as quickly as pos
sible. 1t will be made of brick, big
and roomy, furnished with sufficient
accommodations to take care of al
the sick employees of the railway COM
pany, including the men working upon
the newly acquired lines, such as the
Cane Belt, the G. B. & K. c. The ole
building comprising the present hos.
pital will be used as a portion of the
hospital grounds and buildings, anc
will continue to be the hospital proper
until the new building is completed
At a recent meeting of the director.
or trustees it was resolved to change
the rate of assessment of members OF
the hospital association from tn,
present rate to nine-tenths of 1 pei
cent. on the salary of each member
with a minimum of 40 cents and
maximum of $1.25. The present
minimum is 35 cents and maximum