The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-01
Says Past Abuses Are
Chargeable to Apathy
of Merchants.
CONDENSED REPORT
In CIRCULAR LETTER
ImportantChangeS Promised
Facilitating Shipments to
Cities of Virginia.

That Washington shippers are in
the main more bIamable than the
railroads for the freight discrim-
nations, both as to shipments and
rates, which have so long made this
city undesirable as the rightful pur-
chasing point for Southern buyers,
is the opinion held by Monroe
Luehs, vice president of the Wash
ington Tobacco Company and per-
manent secretary Of the Jobbers
and Shippers Association. Much Of
the trouble which has arisen
through the existence of burden
some freight conditions. Secretary
Luchs believes. might have. in a
great measure. been obviated in the
past had Washington jobbers and
shippers gotten together in a con-
certed movement ana appealed TO
the railroads TO relieve them. He
thinks that had there been no de-
cisive sction on the part of local
shippers the railroads obviously
would never have agitated the ques-
tion of rates; nor does he hold that
the railroads would have been en-
tirely 10 blame for maintaining
silence under such conditions.
Must Adjust Present Rates
The most important problem now con-
fronting the Jobbers ana Shippers As
sociation. Secretary Luch holds. is that
of adjusting existing freight rates. The
entire organization has awakened 20
this fact. he says. and. acting through
fits freight committee, viii make a de-
termined effort TO secure railroad CO.
operation, for without q little can be
done 20 advance the meaning and pur-
pose Of the organization.
Sends Out Condensed Report.
The activity OF the Shippers and Job
bers' Association now centers in a cir
cular letter which the freight commit
tee Is having prepared, with the inten-
tion of esnding IL 20 the members OF the
organization showing in the form of a
condensed report. the progress made by
that committee.
The letter. which Secretary Luchs will
send out tomorrow. IS as follows: Feel
ing that a is better To attempt 70 rem
edy one evil at a time this committee
has devoted its entire attention TO the
matter OF freight delays. caused by re-
billing of freight shipments, and the
transfer of such shipments. originating
at the Pennsylvania freight station
Washington. and reshipped at AIexan-
dTia over connecting lines TO Southern
points.
"Messrs- Semmes, Droop, and Herrel,
the subcommittee appointed to investi-
gate these delays, report that W. ".
Bowie. general freight agent Of the
Pennsylvania railroad. tas given them
every assistance in the formation of
plans locking TO the elimination of the
delays complained OF. He has promised
to recommend that all freight Originat-
ing in his Office for Southern points be
billed through to points OF destination,
and 10 use his influence to have this
change effected.
Important Change Promised.
I'VE believe this viii be a very i'm
pOrtant reform. Heretofore such ship
ments have been forwarded on memo
randum from the freight yards here and
unloaded and rebiled at Alexandria.
causing. we have no doubt. many. if not
all. Of the delays. Mr.. Green. freight
traffic manager for the Southern rail-
way. which does most OF the billing at
has also promised to give
his TnrnnnCnd phamGa his
port.
Mr.. Bowie has also promised that
hereafter the Washington freight for
Southern points VIII leave here at 4:S0
each day and go straight through TO
destination points. instead Of waiting
Tor the sOuthbound freight trains from
the North, as heretofore. This Will save
many hours in freight delivery.
The committee has further gathered
Information TO the effect that the Po-
Lomac yarus, the new terminal for all
5outhern roads connecting with the
pennsylvania lines out of Washington,
VIII soon be ready for use and will af
freight
To Take Part in Jamestown Exposition
This subcommittee having accom-
plished such good work on this one
point has been asked to investigate the
delays resulting from conditions similar
10 those at Alexandria, on the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad. at Brunswick,
Md. It is believed that it will achieve
equally satisfactory results"
In addition 10 this, an effort will be
made by the publicity committee 10 in
terest Washington business men in the
desirability Of being represented at the
coming jamestown Exposition. This
viii be gone into at a meet
ing Of the publicity committee on next
at the American Security and
Trust Company. when a plan viii be
formulated 10 have washington mer-
chants represented there
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