The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-07
BOSTON ASSAILS
RATE DECISION
Emphatic Protest from Chamber
of Commerce to Interstate
Commission. ~.


ss:B Boston, q . An emp protest
against the recent Edecision %of 5 the
United States . Interstate commerce
commission on the subject Of differen-
tails on freight from the interior to sea-
ports was made at "a meeting of the
Boston Chamber Of Commerce today in.
a report from a subcommittee appointed
The report reviewed the delibera-
tlons of the Interstate commerce com
mission on the question at sessions held
in New York, PHILADELPHIA and Wash
ington as well as the evidence presented
by Boston interests to prove that the
rates prevailing gave undue preference
characterized the commission report
as defy1ng analysis, as inviting rate
cutting. and as violating the spirit of
the United States constitution.
The Report on the Decision. +
The subcommittee Is report said:
Inc contentious Of Boston were In
every instance backed up by unquestion-
able proofs and these were in MANY in
stances a complete REPUTATION OF the
arguments later assigned by the com
mission for its, to say the least, peculiar
decision. The report and opinion of the
comm ission defes analysis. 1t openly con-
fesses a vain search for some funda-
mental principle upon which to settle the
dispute. Failing in this, it founders
around In an abortivs- attempt fos a,1stifv
the indefensibles f#ssal 'sesa==sss
In, Observation-Disclosures the com.
mission, $ after stating that the pur-
pose fthe original differentials agree
ment, Of 1877 was to create equal thru
rates, finally decided that subject to
slight modification. the differentials pro-
v1ded for in that agreement, should now
subsequently be retained for the astonishA
Ing purpose OF creating unequal thru
rates. 49, Sc .'E,i4
III Artificial Division. q
It strives to create an artificial division
OF the export traffic between the different
ports by strangling competition, thru a
| so-called equalization of advantages" It
deliberately invites and encourages rate
cutting .-e.s,..s
IN one place it lays stress upon q dis
! lance as most important factor and in
another where the distance, Buffalo tc
Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. is
equal, or In fact slightly less to New York
| than to Baltimore, it ignores It's forrne,
view and conceives it to be Of no con.
sequence. E@
It DEGREES that grain carried from Fair.
port to Baltimore shall be carried at 6
| lower rate than from Buffalo to Boston
altho the distance is precisely the same
4S0 miles, thus violating the spirit Of the
United States constitution forbiddins
preference in regulation Of commerce t.
ports in one state over those Of another.
j Lastly the commission has to the ex
i tent q Of sits: ability compelled the ,,Ney
/ York and Boston railroad lines to chargl
! higher rates than they are ready ant
l willing to accept. The dissenting opinion
1 Of Commissioner Clements emphasizes tn.
illogical character of the decision.
Rely on Own Pluck. 4
i Boston would prefer to rely upon he
own pluck, industry and foresight to Sc
cure her just proportion Of the expor
4 traffic, but If the disadvantages Of por
are to be capitalized, If lack Of. facilitie
is to command premium and their de
velopment is to constitute handicap,
4 legislation is to compel what civic prid
local energy and liberal investment shoul
command, then Boston wants It's yfai
share in the distribution Of favors..
4 We believe, however, with Commits
X sioner Clements that the export freigh
differentials are in themselves Illegal, In
asmuch as they are an interference wit
free competition and are therefore In re
straint Of trade. We therefore shall no
cease to demand their abolition.
Henry M. Whitney, president OF tn
chamber OF commerce, was chairman Q
the subcommittee.