The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-19

Speaking as representative of the
milling industry, which is vitally con-
cerned in. the freight rate problem, j.
8: Bell, president of the Washburn-
Crosby company Of Minneapolis, adj
yise 81. caution and deliberation in
attention now being given to rate MAX
ing and regulation by the federal au-
thorities, Mr.. Bell has written the fol-
lowing letter to Congressman F. G.
Stevens of st. Paul:
We have noticed a few articles in st.
Paul, Chicago and Minneapolis to the eff
feet that the Minnesota millers, and es-
pecially the Minneapolis millers, favor i'm
mediate legislation granting additional
power, to the interstate commerce COM
mission and other measures Of similar
| character. This, however, is not their
position. <t.. - -
We have been requested by both sides
| to write you in this matter, but have
| thus far refrained from doing So But in
! order that we may not be misrepresented,
we feel that we should give you our views,
and we know that you will give them
| the same consideration as you have given
our views on other matters in the past.
! The milling industry has followed lines
of the railways in the development Of
the country turnout the state of Mime
nings to one of the largest Industries in
| the state. It is not confined to Mime
| apolis, but in all parts Of the state this
! industry hourishes, and the products Of
Minnesota are known the world over.
Needless to say, this growth has been
conditioned entirely on the existence Of
such rates as would allow these products
to reach their markets. =
Broad Market for Flour.
To emphasize the inland position Of
| Minnesota and the existence of a sched-
ule Of rates that have allowed the milling
products to reach their markets, we
would call your attention to the fact that
we are 1900 miles from the seaboard on
the east, an equal distance from the gulf
of Mexico and nearly 1000 miles from the
Pacific coast. We are today shipping flour
to Japan via the Pacific coast, In, .compe-
tition with the markets of the world. We
can ship barrel Of flour from Minnesota
to London at the cost of the delivery OF
barrel by team from our mills in Mime
apolis to the residence portion OF our
city. 1t costs about II cents a bushel OF
wheat from Minnesota terminals to Liv-
erpool and a barrel Of flour can be de-
livered in London from any terminal 1r
] Minnesota for about so cents.
Each locality naturally feels that there
is discrimination in favor of some othe1
point. and manufacturers are constantly
urging railroad managers to change tariffs
to the benefit of their own locality. This
is, of course, human nature AS a resul
tant Of such conflicting pressure
changes in tariffs are from time to time
made, and in the main they are perhap
fairly amicably; adjusted. There will In
eNitably be slight determinations aga1ns
4 certain localities. varying: from time t.
time according to conditions Of trade, bu
1 It should be remembered that it is quit
4 as impossible to frame a legislation tina
j shall effect an; equitable adjustment o
d rates between all localities at all times
4 as it, is impossible to pass a tariff law t
the satisfaction Of all interests
Careful Investigation Advised
We have no sure cure to prescribe. blu
y we are firmly convinced that the ques
q ton should be most thoroly considere
i from all standpoints before final action
II taken. The success Of the rate maxim
y powers of the English commission
= constantly cited Even if the tariff con
ditions in the little insular kingdom al
a precedent for similar laws in this coun
try, Of great distances, let US follow tn
example of our English cousins in the
methods of investigating this questio,
In ENGLAND this rate-making power wa
conferred upon their commission only al
ter an exhaustive, lengthy and painstaH
ing inquiry by royal commission.
The discussions of this question In tf
public press have been superficial an
many doubtful points have been taken Il
= granted. ..
With no intention of temporizing
counseling undue delay, we do strongl
urge that congress enact no legislat1o
t.. on this question until it has appointed
commissions of representative shipper
=, carriers and legislators, who shall go
:, the bottom Of this question. Even If tn
T. should mean a delay of one year or tW
! years-altho, we have no idea It Woulo,
s. still it would be better to%take advised
. Il and carefully the first step towards sue
regulation Of rates as is proposed a ste
+ which today seems far reaching a NJ ana rao
"A cal. but which may in the future see
:: slight, compared with the - far-reach nj:
. i consequences that may. follow. Respec
Fl -Washburn- Crosby Company,
=, 10 ~. 4: S. Bell President