Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-11
RAILWAY RATES ISSUE
BALTIMORE BUSINESS MEN SUP
PORTING BOARD OF TRADE
In the Opposition Of Governmental
Control-0ppose Any Legislation
to That End.


special is,afch to The Star.
BALTIMORE. Md. June Robustness
men of this city, generally, are placing
themselves on record indorsing the posi-
ton taken by the local board of trade this
week. relative to the matter of govern
mental fixing of freight rates. opposing the
Esch-Townsend bill any similar legisla-
ton. While there are some merchants
here who do not differentiate between the
need of a stringent law correcting discrimi-
nations and rebates and one tending to vest
the rate-making power in a federal body.
one and all recognize the danger not only
to their own city, but to the business intel
ests Of the country generally in any legisla-
tion looking to governmental fixing of rail-
road rates.
The position taken by the Baltimore board
Of trade. as indicated in the report Of the
committee on inland trade, which commit
tee is composed of Messrs. William Cum
ningham, Joseph C. Whitney. Franklin +.
Gator, D. c. Amidon and Thomas Goodwille.
recognizes the value to the country 3f the
interstate commerce commission and APP
proves Of any proper legislation to prevent
rebates and unjust determinations, but does
not approve and will decidedly oppose any
bill which will, under any circumstances.
give to the commission or any public body
the right to fix rates on freight. The report
goes on to say that IF the government can
fix the price of transporting the packages
of merchandise 1t would be out one more
step. although a long one, to fix the price
of the merchandise itself"
This position is supported by members OF
the other trade organizations OF the city.
All classes of merchants are quoted AS op-
posing the proposed legislation In Balti-
more the board of trade is a sort of mer-
camille house Of lords, but the comnioners
are at one with them on this question
One Grain Mans Opinion
Il think there can be but one opinion re-
gardng this matter" said John ". Dennis,
a member Of one Of the leading nouses Of
grain receivers and exporters IN the city.
land that is decidedly against any attempt
to regulate freight rates through the inter-
state commerce commission. The price at
which any railroad will transport Eerchan-
disc from one place to another Is the vital
principle of transportation, which Is as
much a commodity as Is grain, furniture.
dry goods or any of the staple articles OK
commerce. and when the government steps
merchants shall charge for their goods 1t is
time to call q halt.
"rbe idea is bad, looked at from any point
of view Not only will it destroy trade. but
It will arouse sectional differences to a
greater extent than would appear possible
at first glance. For any commission nos
knowing the technicalities OF the business
to step in and legfslate the difference now
would arouse the greatest feeling. no mat
fer what the decision. That SIMPLY Illus
trates one phase Of the proposition. but 1t
is by no means the strongest objection
..Then again, I cannot see that there IS
apv demand. that is OF course, among solid
merchants for such act. There were
very few shippers who came peIore the
senate committee and demanded such
thing I believe that II you should insert
an advertisement today in any OF the Balti-
more papers for reliable. responsible busl-
ness men to come up and urge the passage
of such a bill. you could not get two.
Chamber Against Legislation.
while the chamber Of commerce has
not placed itself on record, as has the BOARD
of trade, my knowledge of the views OF the
more influential members makes me abso-
lutely certain that their sentiment Is
strongly against the legislation.
Until we have reached the time when
commissioners and American politics are In
the millennium class. l believe 1t will be
dangerous to place any such power In their
hands, ,
said James Easter, general manager OF the
large dry goods importing house OF Daniel
Miller & Company, which pays annually
an aggregate of from $oooo,Oo 70 *'.OOo.Oo
OF freight charges. my opinion is strongly
against the proposed legislation. l feel
that from the time such an act was passed
until popular clam0r of outraged business
men should necessttate its repeal irrepar-
able damage would be done, not only to
the railroads, but to the whole business In
terests of this country. The great question
before us is not whether rates are too high.
for IL all shippers pay the same price there
would be no injury done. but Is whether
tons and rebates exist.
1T am not a close enough student of the
matter generally to express an opinion as
to the fact In this latter matter, but l am
convinced of this, that whatever may be
the truth. 1t is surely a dangerous pro-
ceedlng to place the control Of railroad
freight rates in this country In the hands
of a centralized power. l am sure. speak
ing for my own city, that such an action
would do an immense amount of harm to
us here in Baltimore, and while, said
at the beginning, 1 am not speaking for
the house. 1t is a fact that the sentiments
of the other members are largely in accord
with mine. as l have outlined them"
Merchants and Manufacturers.
THE Merchants and Manufacturers AS
ISOLATION has not taken any direct attitude
in regard to the proposed legislation" said
Mr. Clarence II. Forrest, the secretary Of
the association. but l know that the in