The Washington times., 1908-11-06
Discrimination A gain S t
Washington Shippers Is
Alleged Now.
SAID TO BE PAYING
FOR UNION STATION
Richmond Firm Almost Refuses TO
Locate Here Because of Rates,
So Commerce Chamber Says.

Specific instances OF alleged discrim-
inatiOn shown against Washington as
regards freight and passenger rates fix
ed ~ the railroads. are being brought
TO the attention Of the local Chamber
OF Commerce.
The most recent case is one which
all but prevented a business house es-
tabllshing a branch IN this city.
IN connection with this case. the fact
has developed that some business firms
assert that the railroads are imposing
a further burden on Washington people
by inaugurating a policy which Will
force merchants and other shippers here
TO pay eventually for the great Union
Station which the railroads have builS
IN this city.
The railroad companies now charge
cents per hundred pounds as terminal
charges on all freight entering the
Union Station. This Is entirely separate
from the freight charges for transport
ing goods over the lines of the rail-
roads. The shippers are complaining
bitterly, but are helpless
VIII Make Much.
II is this terminal charge that busi-
ness houses assert is imposed TO make
return TO the railroads for their eS--
; lenditures on the new Union Station.
In the aggregate 1t viii yield Al eHor-
nous sum
The firm referred to as having recent
y established branch house in tuis
city is one OF national prominence. Its
branch IN Richmond, Va, formerly at-
-ended TO that part OF the business now
done by the Washington branch, To the
works OF the company ia Fredericks-
burg, Va, the frm daily sent much
height from Richmond, a distance OF
s.Nty-One miles The freight charge was
10 cents per r;ndr5dWeignt.
From WashILgton TO Fredericksburg,
distance oi 0nly tIty-four miles, the
company - how obliged TO pay freight
charges Of = cents per hundred weight,
Richmond 10 the same place Int
transportation rate alone is y cents Per
hunor6dWeight, and TO that IS added
the further -amoent Of s Centarper nun
dTedweight as terminal charge"
The managers Of the house, neWcOul-
ers in Washington, were amazed at the
rates and at tie failure attending UheIE
efforts 70 secure some change. They
declare that tkgy understand now why
50 few new EUBiness houses come 70 this
city.
Find Situation.
At first they we're inclined to believe
that the houses already here were CON
tent 10 let the rates keep new firms
away, but they reversed their opinions
on learning that the Chamber of COM
merce. representing the business men,
was striving to improve the conditions
so as 20 attract new enterprises here.
It is expected that the latest in
stance OF excessive freight rates viii
be brought to the attention of the
executive committee Of the cham Der.
This committee several weeks ago In
stituted a cempsign against the al
legged discrimination against Wash
ingtOn in the matter Of rates. and
has gathered large amount Of data
which is said 10 show positively that
the discrimination exists, both as to
passenger and freight rates.
Seek Line Of Action.
Just what action viii be taken is
not known. When the campaign was
inaugJIrated II was reported that the
matter would. II necessary, be car
ried to the highest authorities Since
then much other business has de-
manded attention, but the subject may
receive renewed emphasis when con-
sideration is given to the latest phase
OF the situation, as described above.