The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-30
OF RATES
w. F. vANDrvER TALKS OF HOT
 SPRINGS MEETING.
Railroad OnsciaIs Agree to Improve shipping Facilities from East to
 Monfwomery and Seima-- Adyentare of River.

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 The material reductions in freight rates from Eastern and Virginia points granted Montgomery at the recent meeting of the Southeastern Freight Association at Hot Springs. Va, was one of the greatest benefits we could get for our 1910 movement" said Pres- ident W. F. vandiver of the Montgom- cry Freight Bureau to an Advertiser re- porter Tuesday.
 This action. which was due to the increasing efforts of Manager Walter P. Lewis and President Vandiver or the Montgomery Freight Bureau. was taken by the Southeastern Association at Joint meeting of the Southeastern and the Mississippi Valley Freight Associa- tions at Hot Springs, Va. last week. The claims of Montgomery were pre- sented at the March meeting of the Southeastern Association in Louisville and President Vandiver went to the May meeting to press them for imme- diate consideration.
 As a result of these efforts very ma terial reductions have. as stated peen obtained on freight shipments from Eastern and Virginia points to Mont gomery. The reductions will be made fin all classes from one to six and in addition corresponding reductions will he made on all ommodities-unclessi- fled freight The readjustment will ap- ply from Boston, New York, Philadel- phia. Pittsburg and Baltimore. and all interior Eastern and New England points win be revised on the basis of their relation to rates from the port cities.
 It will be remembered that similar reductions were obtained from Chicago and western points last December through the Mississippi Valley Asso- citation.
 eTvhe reductions received so far will result In a saving of at least S15o.oo pef annun, to Montgomery" said Mr. vandiver Probably the greatest in- fiuence in bringing about the readjust- ment of rates to Montgomery was the unanswerable argument made by MT. Lewis at the Louisville meeting. An other very potent factor was the de- termination of the City Council to build a f1rst-class wharf on the river front, thus providing place for mer- chandise to be loaded and unfoaded and properly protected.
 'sWhen the wharf is completed I ex- pect to sec large quantities of freight handled by river unless our railroad friends shall continue to make read justments in rates so as to prevent our merchants from taking advantage of the low water rates now being made to the port of Montgomery. The ben effts of the Alabama River. if properly utilized, will yet make Montgomery one of the greatest commercial centers in the South for the distribution of dry goods and groceries.
 'It may not be generally known. but 1t is a fact. recognizeZd by the rail- roads of the country, that Montgomery Is the second largest interior Southern city for the distribution of heavy goods. Memphis alone being ahead of us.
 "rhe work of readjusting the rates to Montgomery has just begun. Mir. Lewis has already this week filed an application to be heard on important matters at the next meeting of the As- sociatjon, which will be held at Hot SprinRs, Va, July 16 to 21.
 ""The Montgomery Freight Bureau has been organized iess than one year and from the beginning 1t has been on the most friendly terms with the pail- roads and has always received the most respectful hearings. Our people have been patient in awaiting results and, while what we have accomplished has seemed slow progress at times, stili we congratulate ourselves on what has been accomplished, and that without friction. It Is very difiicult for rail- roads to make haste in the readjust- ment of rates where a reduction is necessary, but If the people of Mont somery will continue to be patient and we contineu our vigorous efforts in our argument with the railroads where in-