The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-12
Denver Shippers Argue Againsi
Rate Adjustment.
Threaten to So Into Court II
Relief Is Not Afforded Them.
CHICAGO MEN PROTEST
Action Is Aimed at Kansas City
and Topeka.
and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

A committee representing the Den
yer Commercial club appeared yester-
day before the traffic executives. of the
western lines in Chicago and protested
against the present rate adjustment,
threatening to go into court In an eff
fort to secure relief If this is not af-
forded voluntarily by the railroads.
In general way. the Denver action
is aimed arkansas city and other Mis-
souri, river jobbing centers, and would
affect Topeka, the Denver complaint
being that Missouri river jobbers are
able to get into territory north and west
of Denver on more favorable basis
than can their Denver competitors.
This action of the Denver shippers
is in line with the agitation which is
being carried on in behalf of most of
the leading western commercial CEN
tiers for a readjustment of freight
rates. Kansas City was first to enter
a vigorous protest because of the high
class rates maintained from fseab board
and trunk line territory, and which
are discriminatory against Kansas City.
All the other Missouri river jobbing
points Joined this city in its protest and
the roads gave them a hearing IN Chi
cago a few weeks ago, afterwards re-
ferring the subject of proposed relief,
favored by the Milwaukee and st. Paul
and the Burlington roads, to a commits
tee, which reported two weeks ago.
The matter of granting the relief
asked for by Kansas City is to come
before the executive officers at their
next meeting in Chicago Tuesday of
next week. In the meantime, not only
Denver but Chicago as we'll, is pro-
testing against the present adjustment,
while St. Louis is opposing change.
Chicago also opposes the change asked
by Kansas City.
Representatives of the Chicago Com
merciaI association appeared before the
executive officials of the western roads
in Chicago Tuesday to support their
application for reduction of the St.
Louis differentiaI on business for Mis-
souri, river points and the southwest.
After hearing their argument the rail-
road officials took the subject under
advisement and instructed w. H. Hos
mer, statistician of the western trunk
lines. to check up the claims of the
shippers.
The Commercial association was rep
resented by Franklin MacVeigh, ]. T.
Farwell Jr. J. T. Pirie, James Simpson,
A A. Sprague, E. S. Conway. S. J.
Kline, J. Edmund Strong. J. J. Wait, A.
D. Jones and H. G. Barlow. general
manager of the association. Mr. Barlow
presented TO the claims Of the Chicago
shippers, and was supported by Mr..
Macveagh, Mr.. F'arwell, Mr.. Kline and
Mr.. Wait.
The request of the Chicago men, after
being carefully analysed. is simply for
a reduction of rates from Chicago to
Missouri river points and beyond, with
out similar decrease in the St Louis
rates. They claim that present differ
entails in favor of St Louis of 20 cents
on first and second class freight, 10 on
third, on fourth, III on fifth, and B.
classes. and cents on c, D and r
classes are too high. They request the
roads to make these differentials Y, 10,
8. 5 and cents on the numbered classes
and a uniform differential of cents or
the lettered classes.
Mr.. Barlow, in presenting the claims
of the shippers to the roads, declared
that the business conditions of the two
cities are the same, and that they
should enjoy the same freight rates. In
proof of this he cited the fact that IN
the southern districts ST. Louis is able
to compete with Chicago with differen-
tials of only u, II, s. 8 and 2 cents, and
that it ought to be able to do the same
in the Transmissouri feds. rms ne
thought proved the existing differentials
too high and showed that they should
be reduced.
In the course of his argument Mr.
Barlow said that the present differen-
tials were made thirty-one years ago,
and that the conditions which made
them necessary at that time have SO
changed that they are not only unneces-
sarv now. but harmful. He also made
reference to the northwest and other
fields which he said are properly Chi
cago territory. but which are so favored
nv rates as to allow st. Louis an even
foothold, while Chicago is restricted IN
the southwest.