The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-10-22
THE SHIPPERS CONFERENCE AT
CINCINNATI FIGHTING
ADVANCE
SHOW INCOME Per mile
AND PRESENT STRONG ARGU.
MENT AGAINST PROPOSED
INCREASE

Cincinnati, Oct. 19.-That any pro-
posed general advance of freight rate
will disturb existing business condi
tions, and that such advance is un-
justified and will be vigorously con
'ested by shippers organizations, was
he tenor OF resolutions adopted today
at a meeting of representatives of ship
pers and other commercial Crganiza-
tons from many parts OF the country,
held in the Sintose hotel. The reso-
buttons follow:
Whereas, C. C. Mccain, chairman OF
the Trunk Line association, has com
piled a pamphlet entitled The Di-
minished Purchasing Power of Rail
way Earnings and,
Whereas, The railroads of said as
ISOLATION have circulated the same with
the avowed purpose of educating thC
public for an advance in fl eie hit rates;
and.
Whereas, Said pamphlet is biased,
partial and misleading, emitting,
among other things, the following facts
and figures:
The net income per mile of the rail-
roads of the United States in 1907 ex-
ceeded that 1897 by $1,534, an increase
Of 345 per cent.
England for 1907 exceeded by s740 thai
of 1897, an increase of Al per cent.
Net income per mile of road in
Trunk Line territory in 1907 exceeded
that of 1897 by $2,525, an increase O.
ITO per cent.
Net income per mile of roads in the
Central Freight association territor,
in 1907 exceeded That 1897, by S sos.
an increase of 521 pier cent. The sur
plus from operations of the roads Of
the latter group for 1907 was 1888 per
mile greater than the net income of
the road of said groud for 1897.
Net income of all railroads in the
United States for 1907 was $449, 461 1888;
for 1887, $s1, PSF. 500. Excess Of 1907
over 1897, $34S, 203, 6S2-an increase O
1853 per cent. Surplus from opera
tons of all railroads in the United
States for 1907 exceeded the net in
come for 1897 by 60,065, 1855.
Amount of stock raying dividends
increased from 81, 500, 549, 97S in 1897 to
s4,94S, 756 ,203 in 1907. Increase $780,
2O6, 225.
Rate Of dividend on stock increased
from SAB per cent in 1897 to 6.23 pc
cent in 1907. Increase AT per cent.
For 1897 the profit per train mile
all trains, exceeded the profit for 1857
by 25.4 cents per mile, an increase
of Sc per cent. Now, therefore,
Resolved by the shippers from ali
sections of the United States in con
ference assembled:
First-Tnat as said pamphlet does
not set forth all the facts and is
biased and misleading, 1t is not a prop
er one for informing or educating the
public;
Second-That the facts do not pusti-
fly any general advance Of freight
rates; but, Of the contrary cal for a
reduction;
Third-That an executive committee
for this conference is hereby created
with all powers Of this conference
Fourth-That said committee is here
by instructed to prepare a full an
complete answer to- said pamphlet, or
similar pamphlets, and circulate the
same for education of the public On
the true freight rate situate on, and
for correction of the i'm
preston resulting from said pamphlet
or others of a similar nature.
Fifth-That as any general advance
in freight rates will disturb existin
business conultions, the zane is here
by opposed and will be resisted by al
legitimate means;
Sixth-That when this conference
%adjourns it Is subject to cal Of chair
man.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 19.-Repre
sentatives of trade organizations from
Chicago and other western cities ar
holding a meeting here today to pro-
test against what they declare is a
campaign on the part Of the railroads
for a general advance In freight rates
The railroads declare the PURCHASING
power of railway earnings is less now
than in 1897, and that Therefore the
freight rates should be advanced a.
least ten per cent. The trade cryan
izations, however, show the net income
for all railroads in the United Safe
for 1907 was s449, 461 .1Ss and for 1897
was SCI ,z57 SOC. an excess for 1877 owe
1897 of s3eS. 2O3, 682. or an increase o
453 per cent.