The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-06
Pensacola and
Increased Rates.

The relation of Pensacola shippers
10 the railroads was the keynote OF
the discussion yesterday afternoon Dy
members of the Chamber OF COM
merce at a meeting called for Tn" pur-
pose of ratifying the action Oh
the secretary, taken at the instance
of many members, in writing GOV
Broward, regarding the status OF the
increased rates from the Ohio river
and Mississippi crossings INTO the
southeast Oh food products The
meeting yesterday declined to uphoid
the secretary's letter and authorized
a telegram to Governor BrowaTd ask
ing him to disregard the letter OF Sec
rotary Waterman.
The Chamber of Commerce has Dy
this action gone on record as uPnofd-
ing the increase in freight rates winch
became effective on all southeastern
lines on August 1.
An increase in freight rates by rail-
roads is never made without due con-
sideration and investigation OF conoF
tions by the traffic officials OF the
business moving into the territory II
which such an increase is proposed.
The traffic officials consider ana
weigh we'll the supply and demand,
the market, the cost of operating, the
pbvsical or geographical situation OF
the points affected before authorizing
such an increase, yet even railroads
NAV make mistakes, and an inquiry
into these conditions on the part of the
receiver and shipper, cannot be con-
sidered either bad business or bad
Judgment.
1t is to be regretted that the ques-
ton of "antagonism to railroads,
came up in the discussion Those
who use railroads. profit by the use OF
railroads Necessities must be ship
ped into those communities in which
they are not grown. The railroads in
handling such shipments offer a profit
able business to the man who sells
and buys such necessities.
But, IL must not be forgotten that
the consumer, the man who buys
from the receiver, is the one who
pays the freight. The cost of sack
of -four is based upon, first, the cost
of wheat; second. the cost of milling;
third. the freight from the point of
production 10 the point of consump-
ton. The farmer gets his profit from
the miller the miller from the receiver
and the receiver pays the railroad the
freight bill. and obtains from his Gus
toners the difference between the
price F. o. B. the mill at the point of
production and his selling price at the
point of consumption. This system of
figuring profit cannot be gainsaid.
The question at hand is one of i'm
portance to Florida receivers because
the rates in question affect the con-
Buner. The increase is on food pro-
ducts. on necessities of life Perhaps
they are fair and reasonable, consid-
ering the present position of the rail-
roads, AID the recent panic. but an in
vestigstion by the department of jus
tice should not be amiss. The Ala
bama railroad commission says the
rates are unjust. The Georgia receiv-
ers obtained an Injunction against the
VI me luCISdSe-
has not yet investigated or inquired
into the problem Would an inyestiga-
tion be amiss? The Journal believes
not. If the railroads are upheld after
aue inquiry, then the railroads will be
The winners by the actions of the in
pestigators. II. however, the railroads
are found TO have made mistakes in
their calculations. upon which they
based the increase, then the railroads
should he willing TO withdraw from
their position
An investigation is fair for all.
There is no question of hostility to
railroads involved, and it is to be re
GREETED that this sentiment crept into
the discussion yesterday. Pensacola
receivers through the Chamber OF
Commerce have gone on record as
content with the increase, but those
who authorized the sending of the sec
retary's letter should not be made tC
appear as hostile 10 the railroads, but
rather as deeply interested in obtain
Ing fairness 10 shipper, receiver, and