The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-10
Think Grain Shipments Via the Gulf Route Are Growing
 Too Fast
SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
 QUICK ID REMEDY MATTERS
Big Meeting in New York Declares Grain Business of the Atlantic Seahcard Is Jeopardized
 By Diversion.

New York, February 9.-1n response to an invitation extended by the committee on trade and transportation of the New York Produce exchange, over 1d0 repre- sentatives of the markets and grain ex- changes of the larger cities of the coun- try met here today to confer on the diver sion of grain and provision export traffic to the Gulf ports.
 The avowed purpose of the conference was to assist the trunk line railroads and their western connections in meeting the discriminating rates of the southwestern lines. After much favorable discussion a set of resolutions which will be sent to .the presidents and traffic managers of the different railroads, whose interests are affected by this Gulf rate discrimina- tion,' were unanimously adopted.
 The preamble states that the interests vital to the existence of the grain busi- ness in the middle western markets. and the Atlantic seaboard, arc being Jeopar- dized by the course of the southwestern railway system in introducing unreasona- ble discriminative rates of freight from the territory directly tributary to the points of accumulation and distribution Tn the west, and that the very life of the interior markets, the Atlantic ports as ports of shipment, Is being sapped by this unjust and persistent actermination to divert to the Gulf ports the business which Is natural to the middle western markets the resolution adopted follows:
 Resolution are Adopted.
 Resolved That this convention. com posed of large and prominent represep tation from Chicago, Milwaukee. Toledo Detroit. Buffalo, Boston, New York Phil adelphia and Baltimore, does hereby ex- press It's appreciation of the timely action of these railroad companies, and takes this method of assuring them that the many important interests herein repre- sented have confidence in their ability 10 meet this competition, and heartily en- aorse their present attitude, and hereby pledge their united support,
 -.osolved That the several western and eastern roads be earnestly urged to con tinue to protect the large interests that are dependent upon them for maintenance and continuance of may differet lines of busiess. and traffic involved, until an agreement Is arrived at that will restore and in the future preserve to the middle western and eastern markets the business that they have established. and are en-
 
 riously menaced by unjust discrimination.
 Resolved. That one member from each comercial body here represented be ap- pointed on a standing committee charged with the duty of agitating this question. and in conference with the railroad com panies further the interests for which this matter is called"
 Wants Committee on Publicity.
 Before the adoption of the resolutions James E. Parker of New York, advised that a committee on publicity be apppont- ed to lay the true facts before the pub lie, and that New York. Philadelphia. Boston and Baltimore, should be thor oughly aroused to the fact that they have lost a great deal of their export trade. and that the prospect was that if some thing were not done immediately. they would loose a great deal more. He was of the opinion that the commercial life of New York and other eastern cities was seriously threatened.
 Colonel Percy O'Sullvan of the New York coffee exchange ,aid that the prin- cpal complaint was that New York had objected to the discrimination in favor of New Orleans.
 II. E. Chamberlain. third vice presi- dent of the Erie railroad. said:
 We are in this fight to finish The grain men who are interested in the east  for it is a fight for the common interests of all With unanimity of action and unit cd support of the railroads we cannot fail to stand
 Vice President D. B. Caldwell of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, said:
 Our interests as between railroad com panies is primarily that of fairness to each other, and some times the point of view Is so different that 1t is unfair for one interest in the absence of the other to make any severe criticism of the other. It seems to me. however, from the at- tacks that have been made upon us. both on exports and imports. that we should take firm stand"
 Increase to Gulf Enormous.
 John Sickle of the Chicago Board of Trade. referring to the exportation of corn, asid that whereas in 1900 only 15 per cent went through the Gulf ports. the amount had increased at the present time to 40 per cent.
 George c. Marcy of the Chicago Board of Trade outlined the history of the sit- uation and said:
 "rhe Atlantic seaboard stands a better chance today of obtaining an equitable adjustment than 1t ever did before. It is simply case of the Chicago Missis- sippi river gateway roads. and the Atlan- tic seaboard roads standing for and in- sisting upon their rights"
 The assistance of all the organizations represented were pledged to the support