The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-05-08
Manufacturers Association
Sends Delegates to Coun-
Gil to This End.
MONON RAISES RATES
Business Men Seeing Breakers Ahead
Threaten Companies With En-
forcement Of Law.

A committee of the whole from the
manufacturers association appeared be-
fore the members of the city council
last evening to register an objection to
The action Of the Monon railroad in rails
ing the rate for transferring a car from
Hammond to Chicago from Sc to $12
There were three speakers from the
manufacturers association, John E.
Fitzgerald the president of the Ham
mond Distilling company; w b. Conkey
and f. S Betz of the firms which bear
their names. In their talk to the mem
bers of the council they advocated
everything from moral suasion to the
use of the big stick.
According to the requirements of the
Interstate commerce law the railroad
was compelled to give notice of it's in
tention to increase the rates and did
30. As soon as the local shippers learn
ed that the rate on the Monon between
here and Chicago was to be doubled
they saw that If one railroad raised its
rate it would be but matter of a
little while before the rates on all of
the railroads in the city would be corr
espondsngly.
VIII Wage Fierce Campaign.
Therefore they determined on a hard
campaign to prevent such disastrous
action. Mr.. Fitzgerald was the first
speaker and said il the railroads raised
the rates they have apparently
determined to do 1t would cost him an
additional $50 a day as he sent on an av-
erage of cars of freight out every day
W. b. Conkey said that it would be
discriminating against Hammond man
ufaeturers and would be disasterous to
them He said 1t would affect him con-
siderably and that he thought some ac-
tioh ought to be taken by the city
council to forestan the action of the
railroads.
While these speakers were moderate
in their denunciation of the railroad
and their suggestions for a remedy F. s.
Betz spared no words in expressing
himself regarding the matter.
Can't Remain in Hammond.
Mr. Betz said the increase would add
so much to the freight on some of the
articles he manufactured that it would
be Impossible for him to remain in
Hammond. He said that he had ad-
vertised extensively that he would pay
Chicago freight on goods he shipped
and with the increase in rates he would
not be able to compete with other man
ufacturers throughout the country.
Mr.. Betz was the first to suggest the
use OF the big stick. He said that If
the Monon railroad persisted in its at
tempt to charge such an enormous sum
he would advise that the city start out
on a vigorous campaign to compel the
Monon railroad to obey every city ordin-
ance no matter what havoc il caused to
the running schedules.
Compel them to elevate" said Mr.
Betz. "and they will soon come to terms
rather than pay the s.. .000, 600 or SO, 900
600 that such improvements would
cost" Make them put a man at
every crossing" continued Mr. Betz.
and they will soon see the futility of
Attempting to force such an unreason-
able rate upon the people of Hammond.
Aldermen in Accord.
The couneilmen seemed to be in
thorough accord with the manufacturers
and a committee composed of Aldermen
Schroeder, Becker and Kane with Mayor
Becker as an ex-offieio member was ap-
pointed to act with a committee from
the Manufacturers association to confer
with President W. H. McDoel OF the
Monon to see if the matter can not be
adjusted without any further difficulties.
The other members Of the Manufact-
urers' association who were present at
the meeting and who represented va
rious interests in the city were: Fl. r.
Klingensmith. A. NJ. Turner, r. II.
Nellie, w. G.. Paxton, Geo. c. Locklin.
Leonard Knoerzer and L. Wolf
After the council meeting the mem
bers OF the Manufacturers association
assembled at a down town Office and
determined TO have a banquet at which
the members OF the association could
discuss matters OF vital Importance to
their interests
other Business.
The council after discussing the mat
ter of freight rates as placed before
them by the Manufacturers association
transacted considerable other business
of Importance.
The franchise by which the Nicke
Plate railroad is to secure certain
privileges in return for the building OF
q suitable depot in this city was passed
and the erection of the depot is now
only matter of few months.
The city decided to sell several lot:
which it possess on Williams street &c
a purchaser who has made application
for them They will be appraised and
sold at the appraised valuation or for
any amount above that which can be
secured