New-York tribune., 1907-06-20

line steamers from Hamburg 10 the SIX United
States North Atlantic ports was by steamers VI
the Hamburg-American Line or py 'e'SeA0 -
The Hamburg-American Line is able TO arbitra-
rfly control the import trade OF the prlhclpal
seaports with Germany. ,,
This company dominates, through its mahlpula- @ ia
ton OF rates. the interchange or coilIlouille5
tween Germany ana the interior OF Inc Diii'eu
States
The COMPLAINT asks the commission whether
this domination is wholesome and whether IL Is
not such a menace to the trade OF the Chlteu
States as tc demand supervision or reg uIauoi pS
the United States government .
In like manner it is charged that the combi-
nation controls absolutely 81 per cent OF the traI
fic from interior American cities 10 Conuneh'al
European points and the combination by pre-
judice or malicious policy can divert IaIlc ~
or from any one all of the ports or Boston,
New York Philadelphia. Baltimore, Norfok ana
Newport News"
Continuing the complaint says:
Not a pound of freight move from any
interior city Of the United States via the SIX
great Atlantic ports TO Hamburg without the
permission of the Hamburg American Packet
Company Thus a company, foreign in its con-
frol dictates the rates, the line the method. the
routes and every other condition of trade and
traffic TO which the American producer, manu-
facturer or shipper must humby submit II he
aspires 10 introduce his goods 10 foreign cor
sumers via the three most important Cont
mental ports
port and comparisons of records in New York
;he volume of traffic is carefully regulated. the
pool dividing it among its members and arbi-
trarily deciding by which Atlantic port each
shipment shall go. The combine is above the
desires OF shippers and the natural currents of
trade.
It is able 10 come into the very centre of the
United States and apportion the traffic originat-
ing in our Western cities. both as to character
and amount. between cities on our Atlantic sea-
board and ports on the Baltic
CHARGES OF THREATS.
Alleging that the combine by threats intimi
dations determinations and combinations" is
now attempting 10 drive the Cosmopolitan Line
out OF business. that company refers 70 the es-
tahiishment Of disciplinary services from Phil
adelpfia. and says:
The power 10 eliminate by monopoly any service
from any OF the United States North Atlantic ports.
the exclusive power TO inaugurate new service by
another line 10 any port Of the United States. the
power transfer a service from one of the United
States North Atlantic ports 10 another by methods
intended 10 crush competition, the power TO
apportion traffic, both kind and amount. be
tween cities on our Atlantic seaboard; the power
direct the shipper where and by what lines he
shall ship his goods-these are powers lnNolVlns
discrimination and restraint OF trade prohibited by
the laws of the United States.
They powers which being exercised by
the Baltic pool and which dangerous 10 tho
commercial welfare of the United States
NEW LINE STARTS RIVALRY q
The complaint on which the Interstate Com
rnerce Commission acted alleged that when the
Cosmopolitan Line established its Philadelphia
Copenhagen service. last year. the combine
demanded its withdrawal The Cosmopolitan
refused.
In July, 1906, the Scandinavian American
Line at the instgaton Of The Hamburg Amer
lean, began Copenhagen service, and in Feb
ruary of this year the Holland America Line
started opposition service TO Rotterdam.
1t should be remembered, says the complaint.
that until the Cosmopolitan inaugurated its SER
vices TO Copenhagen and Rotterdam, Philadei-
phia had never had regular connection with
those ports Thus the Cosmopolitan. It is
serted. did not invade pre-empted territory. 1t
simply developed the opportunities IN Philadel-
phia which had been neglected. But its act
an offence 10 the big rust and II determined 20
crush the new lines by relentless competition. II
successful in that, Of course. the Philadelphia
line would be Withdrawn at and the city
left again without service TO the two European