Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-20
Indications That a Crusade For
Reduction Of Freights Will
Commence
SHIPPERS TO RETALIATE
Railroads Turn Against the Shippers
for Alleged Fraud in Weights and
Classification and Shippers Now
Propose to Demand Lower Shipping
Rates.

Chicago, April 2O.-An all-American
started by the shippers. The idea or
iginated in Chicago, and the first step
was taken here, but it is planned to
have the movement spread turnout the
country. The movement will be as
widespread and general as is the move
now being made for uniform bill Of
lading, for it will be conducted thru
the same channels.
AS the railroads seem to have turned
against the shippers for having kept
them from collecting their just freight
rates, so the shippers will retaliate
against the railroads by joining to-
gether In an insistent demand for q
general reduction of freight rates. The
shippers declare that for the last three
or four years the railroads have been
raising their rates gradually thru re-
classification. putting commodities in
higher classes, adding millions Of dol
lars to their treasures. But where the
shoe pinches most is that since the
railroads have banded together to stop
rebate paying the shippers have had to
pay higher rates because it is gener-
ally conceded both by shippers and
railroads that almost every shipper
formerly got some sort of rebate.
How 1t Is to Be Done.
The concentrated effort for general
reduction of rates is to be brought
about thru the reorganization of the
American Shippers Association, which
formerly was organized thru the efforts
of the Illinois Manufacturers Associa-
ton for the purpose of getting uni
form bill of lading. The matter is now
pending before congress, and also be-
fore an arbitration committee COM
posed of railroad officials and shippers.
The initiative for this new movement
is due to w. B. Conkey, president Of
the association, who sent the following
letter to all members OF the executive
committee calling meeting for May
4th:
there should be meeting of the ex-
ecutive committee of the American
Shippers Association at an early date,
and would like to know if it would be
agreeable for you to attend meeting
in Chicago. Friday, May 4. The rela-
lions between the carriers and shippers
are such that it seems imperative that
the reorganization of the American
Shippers Association be proceeded
with, regardless Of the uniform bill of
lading controversy.
Rates Steadily Advanced.
During the last few years freight
rates have been advancing steadily.
either by direct increase or by change
of classification. or by withdrawal of
rebates. The withdrawal of the rebate
system has added millions of dollars to
the treasures of the carriers, and now
that all shippers are practically on the
same basis, so far as the published
schedules are concerned, the question
has been raised as to the advisability
Of starting an agitation for a general
reduction in freight rates. Every
move on the part of the carriers since
the community of interest plan has
been adopted has been to curtail the
privileges of the shippers, and more
grasping disposition has been mani
tested It is important, therefore, that
our plans be outlined and our work
commenced"