Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-10
IOWA ATTACKS ARBITRARY
JobbSS and Manufacturers Across the
River Fight Bridge Toll,
OMAHA DEALERS LEND SYMPATHY
Not q Part of Fight Launched mt
st. Louis in which President
Roosevelt Has Taken
Active Hand.

Omaha jobbers have learned that Iowa
manufacturers have decided to begin a
fight for the readjustment of freight rates
on their products from Iowa points to
Omaha. The Iowa people say 1t is very
dif1cult for them to compete in Nebraska
in certain lines of trade with other nearby
states, for the reason that Iowa is COM
PEELED to pay toll over the bridge at
Omaha.
When eastbound rates were readjusted
in 1903. after a spirited struggle on the
part of the Omaha Commercial club. the
elimination of a fight of fifteen years, the
westbound rates remained unchanged and
freight crossing the Missouri river west
ward had to pay the arbitrary. Since then
fights have been made for lower rates on
various articles, one at a time. until at
present brick from Sioux City, stucco
from Fort Dodge, powder from Mooar,
brick and tile from Mason City, and one
or two other articles made in Iowa do not
pay the bridge toll.
This discrimination in favor of some
Iowa products and against others, and dis
elimination against Iowa products in gen.
eral, has been brought to the attention OF
the Iowa State Manufacturers association
by customers of the manufacturers in
OF note that these two cities are the
largest customers OF Iowa factories, outside
Of Chicago and New York. The associa-
ton is said to be about to begin an agita-
ton for the removal of bridge arbitrary
on all articles.
JobbeFs Here Favor II.
The existing arbitrary does not affect
prices made to Omaha jobbers as it is paid
by the manufacturers, but the Omaha peo-
pie argue that II the manufacturer did not
have to pay the arbitrary he might be
better enabled to lower prices by competi-
ton. Those Of the jobbers who have ex-
| pressed themselves are in favor OF a read
| Justment.
At the same time the existing conditions
| protect the Omaha business OF some of the
local manufacturing firms from competl-
ton by the Iowa people. If a shoe factory
here wants to ship TO Fort Dodge 1t is re-
quired to pay 80 cents per 100 pounds, but IL
factory at Fort Dodge ships to Omaha it
has to pay 81 cents per 100 pounds. A mill
shipping -four from Omaha to Walnut. Ia.
will pay SO 2 careless freight than Walnut
mill shipping to Omaha. commercial
man who is a supporter of the president s
policy OF federal rate legislation character
| lies this as an extremely absurd condition.
| When the new list went into effect in
| 1903 the bridge toll was abolished on the
| five lettered and the FIVE numbered classes
| OF freight from Omaha to Iowa, but was
not abolished on articles lRted as commodi-
ties, such as hay. grain. flour and some
feed products. Toll on these articles still
exists and may be made the basis of an
other struggle with the railroads.
President Steps In.
Iowans are emboldened in their present
fight by reflection upon the triumph gained
by Omaha in 1908 in securing the removal
of the cent bridge arbitrary after a bitter
hght covering a period OF fifteen years
Interest in this contest is stimulated by
the fact that the president has determined
upon the complaint pending in the depart
ment OF justice against monopolization OF
the two bridges and ferry at St. Louis
appropriate action should be taken by tn,
attorney general. 1t is not understood
however, that the presidents contemplated
action is to apply to the Missouri rive
bridge here at Omaha.
While not definitely decided on the actor
for the abolition of the arbitrary over the
Mississippi river, 1t is supposed, will be
step to file suit in equity on behalf Of tn,
United States against the Terminal associ
alton under the federal antitrust act. Pun
ishment under this act, on convictions
consists of a hne and imprisonment, on
or both, but It would also compel the Term
, inal association to let go Of It's monopol,
on the bridge situation and would probabl,
result in the dissolution of the association
itself.
In the opinion offormer Attorney Genera