The Washington times., 1908-08-04
CHAMBER CONVINCED
Of RATE EXTORTION
Will Inquire Into Railroad
Charges to Washington
Shippers.
DELEGATES AFTER
BIG CONVENTIONS
Christian Brothers and Railroad
Men Wanted for Capital-Many
Subjects Considered.

A variety of subjects, ranging from
the alleged inconsistency and discrimi-
nation shown by the railroads in fixing
passenger rates to and from Washing
ton, TO a suggestion by a member that
a campaign be started to induce news
papers TO suppress accounts OF suicides.
and the bringing 10 this city OF the
1910 convention Of the Brotherhood OF
Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, is
now before the Washington Chamber Of
Commerce for It's consideration. There
also are a complaint regarding rates
charged by express companies and the
question OF inducing the Christian
Brothers College National Alumni As
ISOLATION 10 + old its next convention
here.
Now that specific data is at hand
showing the excess IN rates charged by
the Southern railway for fares from
Washington over those charged from
Alexandria, the question Of what rates
are required by other railroads is 10 be
taken up.
Seeks Information.
Secretary Thomas Grant has been In
structed to communicate with the gem
eraI passenger agents OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio and the Washington Southern
in an effort to ascertain what their
views are as TO the differences mention
ed in rates from Washington TO given
points and from Alexandria TO the same
points.
As these differences vary from cents
Of 1H1-ia IN tive ~
three cases, with two cases IN favor OF
Washington sandWiChed in, the eXecu-
tive committee OF the Chamber, which Is
dealing with the matter, believes that
the charges Of inconsistency have been
fully sustained.
Although no action Will be taken by
the Chamber FOR the present, It is learn
eQ that when move IS made II Will
De a decisive one. The matter Will be
taken 10 the Interstate Commerce Cont
mission, il Is expected, and II necessary.
the highest possible quarters Will be
See Officials.
Members of the Chamber already are
in consultation with some of the most
prominent officials OF the Government in
regard to the matter, ard there is more
interest over the campaign in such quar-
tiers than has heretofore appeared to be
the case.
II has become a case OF such officials
waiting for the establishment OF d pre-
cedent, and OF learning whether the rail-
roads are prepared 10 meet the public
half way in a matter directly concern
ing the pu6liCs welfare
II IS stated thar the executive commit
tee believes tho railroad officials Will
act reasonably II t-E matter, ana that
The latter already have SHOWN a desire
NJ 20 Hs-H ~
Der. The committee, however. Is de-
termined that the discrimination shall
be removed, and have the attorneys,
the funds, and the determination 10
70 which men Of reason and dignity
can 90.
Suppress Suicide Stories.
OneNef the members Of the Chamber
Is OF the opinion that the welfare OF the
public demands that accounts OF suicides
should be suppressed. He also believes
that the lack OF notoriety in the news
papers would soon result IN less num-
Der of suicides throughout the country
The matter was referred TO a special
committee.
Indications are favorable TO the bring
ing OF the next convention OF the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
dllu EtIIen mere AT yesterday s meet
Ing OF the executive committee of the
Chamber of Commerce, II. c. q. Stiles,
chairman or the conventions committee,
and Messrs W. W. DanenhOWer and
Z. L. Johnson, representing the conven-
tons committee OF the Hotel Mems AS
ISOLATION, were present. II was voted
10 invite the brotherhood TO come here.
The hotel men volunteered TO contribute
between $1,000 and $3.50 OF the SEQ
needed for the entertainment OF the
convention. This IS regarded as mean
decided that for the future II will not
pay the expenses of providing food and
drink for visiting delegates.
Spend $4,000 a Day.
About $500 would be required for
the halls used by the delegates TO the
Brotherhood convention. The delegates,
about 100 in number, exclusive of their
friends and families accompanying
them, spend about $4,000 q day for the
two weeks that they are obliged to re-
main in the convention city.
Concerning the matter OF freight
charges by express companies, a local
merchant wrote 10 the executive COM
mittee that he is charged 10 per cent
more than the listed rates. and that
his goods are rated at a hundredweight
when they weigh only seventy-seven
pounds.
D. ]. Callahan. Of the executive ccru-
mittee, is in st. Louis, where he will
try 20 induce the Christian Brothers
College National Alumni Association,
now in session there. 10 hold their con-
vention in Washington next year.