The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-14
RAILROAD NEWS.
A New Effort Made to End
Grain Rate Fight.
Conference Probable Between
Eastern and Western Officials.
MAY POSSIBLY AGREE.
But Concessions Will Have to Be
Made By Both Sides.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.
NAY POSSIBLY AGREE.

Chicago. Feb. 14.-Chicago grain men,
through E. B. Boyd, transportation
manager of the board of trade. made
another attempt yesterday to effect
peace between the eastern and western
lines in the disagreement over the di-
vision of freight charges on export grain
from Missouri river points to the At
lantic seaboard.
Traffic officials Of the western and
eastern lines were asked yesterday if
they were willing to meet in conference
this week, and, so far as reported, all
gave an affirmative answer. The date
of this conference, however. was left
unsettled. but it will probably be held
Thursday or Friday.
Coincident with the announcement
that an effort is being made to bring
the lines together in Chicago. came. the
statement that the meeting between
central trunk line officials scheduled 10
be held in Buffalo today has been aban-
doned. This is taken as indicative that
an agreement may be reached without
the formality of the eastern lines first
holding conference.
Whether the lines can reach anv defin-
1te agreement even when they meet is a
question. Previous conferences have
peen held, and when they were ended
ment as ever. In fact, about the only
progress that has been made is the ac-
ton of the Wabash, both an eastern and
western road, which put in q % rate
on export grain. with transit privileges
poth at Chicago and st. Louis. But this
action is not really so important as 1t
appears on its face, nasmuch as The
rate is not effective to Baltimore. which
is the leading port in the export grain
business.
The present status of the case is about
this: The western lines. agree to accept
a * cent rate on grain from the Mis-
souT1 river points to the sea board From
this, however, is to be deducted fixed
charges, which include elevation at the
Missouri river and fobbing charges at
the SeabOard. The net charges are be
tween 10 and 20 cents, and this they are
willing to divide with the eastern lines.
It is over this division that the trouble
arises. The eastern lines want their reg
ular local export rate 10 cents for hand
ing the business which leaves only about
8 or cents for the western lines to pay
for bringing the grain from the Missouri
river to Chicago. The eastern men saw
that if they we're to accept ANYTHING IN
der their regular local export rate it would
result in a virtual reduction of the export
rate to that figure. for Chicago grain
men would then be entitled to ship to
the seaboard at the lower rate Ilst as
much grain as they receive from Missouri
river points. Under this arrangement,
they declare. there would be nothing to
prevent Chicago grain men from shipping
all their grain to the Atlantic coast a the
lower rate, and the old 13 cent rate would
remain a quotation on paper aIona
The position of the western roads is
also strongly defended by their officials.
They declare that the business originates
in their territory. and that they are en-
titled to a reasonable profit for handling
It. If they are compelled to pay the fixed
charges in addition to allowing the east
ern lines their regular local rate of Is
cents, there is scarcely anything left in
| the business for them, they say. And vet
to raise the rate above % cents is some
thing that has not been thought of by
the railroad men. nor would it be tolerat-
ed by grain men.
These are the conditions as they exist
and which are to be met by the officials
in conference this week Whether they
can reach an agreement remains to be
seen. One side or the other must make
a concession or perhaps both. The grain
men are unable to do anything in the
ed when the rate was quoted although
they are using their influence to brine
about smicable agreement which viii
result in making the rate effective to al
ports and by enough roads to handle ali
the business offered.
Meanwhile the movement of grain te
gulf points continues. The new tariff OF
the Illinois Central. in conjunction with
roads leading out of Minneapolis, is NOV
ing oats to gulf points in good quantities
The rate is IS cents including fixed
charges The movement from Missouri
river points to the gulf. while not of sc
large Q volume as was the case a few
weeks ago. is still too big to be ignored