The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-31
CHANGE FRONT ON
BILLS OF LA|DING
Shippers Are Now the Persecu.
tors, the Railroads Say, and
Hard Fight Opens.
BY w. w, Jermane.

y K = /
Washington, Jan.Ss31 1.-The 9 uniform
bill Of ladingo fight has taken a pc
the f%a shppers have beeome
according to the railroad representa-
tives. When the railroads were pre-
pared to yield all the shippers came
into court and said that they were not
ready to have the railroads yield.
This fight began eighteen months ago.
Tt originated in an attempt by all the
railroads embraced in the 'seastern
classification that is, east of the Mis-
souri, and north. Of the Potomac-to
compel shippers to adopt a new form
of bill Of lading. Its principal feature
agrees to waive claims on the railroad
for DANA ge under sthes old common law
liability, except in the event of pay
ment by the shipper of 20 per cent
more freight charge.
Scheme to Raise Rates.
A fight was started by the Illinois
Manufacturers association and the
American Shippers association, and
Levy Mayer Of Chicago was engaged
to prosecute a complaint before the
Interstate commerce commission. Mr..
Mayer contended that the bill of lading
L
rates in the territory named 20 per cent
on $1,7OO,OO0,0 900 worth Of traffic.
A hearing was conducted in Chicago
and after some ventilation Of the facts
an adjournment was taken on the un-
derstanding that the railroads were
willing to settle out Of court. An in
formal conference took place on Jan.
"a in Washington, at which Frank j.
Furth, With a number of other attor-
neys, represented the railroads, and Mr..
Mayer appeared for the shippers.
Broke Up Unsettled.
But, instead Of coming to an ami
cable settlement, as the railroad attor-
neys were prepared to do, the confer
ence was adjourned on the understand
ing that in case no agreement is reached
in the meantime, the formal hearing
continue on Feb. Is. sd
The reason for the failure to agree
was the change of front on the part
Of the shippers, who now asked that
the interstate commerce commission
prescribe uniform bill Of lading,
which, should uniformly define the liza
bility of the railroad companies with
out increase of the freight.
Made into State Laws.
It is suggested by the shippers that the
commissions recommendations might
be presented to state legislatures and
be made the subject Of local legislation.
Shippers have some cause, to complain
now that different states place different
Interpretation on the old bill of lading
and this might be corrected. -
On account Of the general feeling at
this time in favor of governmental reg
ulation of the railroads, the representa-
tives of the latter have been anxious
to terminate any further agitation on
| this subject. But the shippers fear tc
postpone it's consideration. They are
anxious that the commission take jul
risdiction Of the subject in order tina,
they may be protected in future from
any general raising of rates under the
guise Of a uniform bill. ri A. g
Morton Is Sensitive.
Secretary Mo ortEtS off The navy depart
ment is Showing himself very sensitiv,
to the newspaper criticisms which have
recently been passed upon him in con
nection, with the Santa Fe rebate mat
ter. Several times he has INDUCED il
undignifed exhibitions Of temper, call
ing upon Washington representatives o:
New York newspapers to account fd
editorial utterances in their organs. =
Any mention Of his name in connec
tion with the coming prosecution make
him very angry: He does not seem t.
mentioning the fact that he was sec
ond vice president of the road whe1
the rebates were given and was Charge
with knowledge Of all that was done i
his department..
} . The president is convinced that MI
Morton was not guilty in any way, hav
, ing accepted the secretary's private eS
PLANTATION of the affair. Mr.. Morto
. declines to repeat for the public wha
he told the president.