The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-30

anu the CltiD HlISHl lihV w io' ooihc ohe
else take it up.
Startling Statement.
F. NJ. Currer presented report for
the committee on freight rates lie made
the startling statement that there has
been an advance in freight rates, in
stead of reduction, as had been gen.
orally supposed, and said that this ex-
planned why the railway commission
had accepted the reduction without
making a fuss about it. The bulk of
the freight carried by the railroads is
fourth and fifth class, and he thought
that the volume of business in and out
of MankatO would not average higher
than third class. The reduction in the
rates on first and second class goods
had not been more than Offset by the
advance in the fourth and fftn classes
there being little change i'm the third
class. The difference was more notice.
able beyond seventy miles. The income
of the railroads operating in and out OF
MankatO was more instead of less as a
result of the changes made. 81 don't
know what the club could do about it, y
continued Mr.. CTrier, "but 1 think that
our railroad cOmmission-well, | don't
like to say what | think about that. ,
tApplause.)
Mr.. Funk asked whether there was
not twenty-five cent reduction in the
coal rate.
Mayor Taylor said that there was a
twenty cent reduction and is. in etfccr
now.
Mr.. Funk said that The coal men say
that they are stocked up and that there
will be no benefit from the r" ,,ction
this year.
Mr.. Currier said that the coal men
had advanced the price to make up for
the reduction.
Mayor Taylor said that the price of
soft coal had been advanced forty five
cents a ton.
Should Make Complaint.
H. L. Schmitt said that the matter
stated by Mr. Currier was an important
one, and that his committee or some
other should follow it up. Complaint
should be made and followed up with
prosecution.
H. A. Patterson brought out the fact
that there has been a reduction in TIL,
rates on fourth and fifth classes from
st. Paul to Mankato of ten per cent
MIR. Currier said that the rate 10
Worthington, from st. Paul, was twenty
per cent greater. The average freight
haul in the state was $50 miles, and
there was a raise instead of red lc-
ton on that.
Express Rates Excessive.
Secretary Spencer read letter that
he had received from the Minnesota Re.
ceivers' and Shippers association, offer
ing to assist the club to get lower ex-
press rates if the expense was paid by
the club. There had been no expense
in getting the rates reduced for Fari-
bault. A coal rate to Mankato from
Duluth of $l.l9 would be enough, and
the way to get relief was to make COM
plants against the Chicago, milwaukee,
Il st. Paul and Northern Pacific rail
way companies. Mr.. Spencer recon-
mended that the club take up the mat
ter of express rates, as they are high
here, being IS cents to st. Paul, while
Faribault ana Albert Lea have a rate
of 80 cents.
Mr.. Brett said that the express rates
are very important, being $3.50 hun
dred from New York. Some move
should be made Immediately in the al
rection of getting reduction.
MIR. Patterson said that thought
should be given to who would get the
most benefit, the merchants of Mankato
or the mail order houses in the east. if
a reduction in the rates was made. He
had taken the matter up with the Ship
pers' association, and it had said that
the city could get relief without doubt
if it makes a complaint.
President HiXon: "lhe express rates
are the highest here that l ever saw
They are simply fright, and hamper
| business"
Mayor Taylor moved that the club
guarantee reasonable amount of at
! torneys' fees to get this reduction. A
gentleman from Faribault had told him
that on many articles the express rate
had been reduced one half as a result OF
the complaint made by that city. The
motion was carried
Mankato Disseminated Against.
Mr.. Patterson reverted to the new
freight rates and said that there are
many inequalities in the new tariff, and
the railway companies know it, but he
| was sure that they did not intend it
| There was reduction in interstate
rates to points west of Mankato, ant
1t was most unjust to Mankato because
the same rate applied to all points. The
tate to Redwood Falls from Chicago is