Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-28
Omaha and Sioux City Should Not
Submit Meekly.
HILL BELIEVES IN REASONING
If New Rate is Proven Disorimina'
tory, it Must Fail.
EQUALITY MUST BE MAINTAINED
Railroad Managers Are Open U
Sensible Argument the sRme
Rs other Men, sayS
MIR. HilI.

That Omaha and Sioux City packing in.
terests have grounds for grievance against
the railroads for increasing the charges
on dressed beef shipments to Chicago,
which results in discrimination favoring
Kansas City and St Joseph, is freely ad-
mltted by Louis w Hill, president Of the
Great Northern railroad.
This was the essence Of an interview
with the Great Northern chleftain held In
his private car Sunday morning In the
Council Bluffs yards. President Hin and
his family were enroute from st. Paul to
Kansas City and their stop here was for
only a few hours
Omaha does not need to stand for the
raise in rates." said MIR, Hill. "If Kan
sas City has a better rate on meat or
other commodities, your people are GER
tainly justified in complaining. Ifthe move
of the railroads is unjust 1t should be
spoiled"
Mr. Hill was informed of the resolution
directed to the Burlington. Northwestern
and Rock Island lines by the South Omaha
Live Stock exchange requesting that the
railroads refrain from putting into effect
the new rate, which would mean a charge
per 100 pounds 8 cents higher than the
Kansas City tariff,
1T is an appeal to the reason of the
railroads." continued Mr.. Hill. II know
that It will be carefully considered. II 1t
is just l am sure the rate matter will be
adjusted so that all Missouri river points
will be on a basis of equality"
HIPS Position Encouraging.
In President Hlll's attitude there is seen
a bright spark of hope. The big busint ss
interests of Omaha, South Omaha and
Sioux City want to be on a parity with
Kansas City and st. Joseph, but with the
higher rate here the southern points would
have decided advantage.
The railroad managers are business
men," said Mr.. AIN. "If-they are wrong
they will see the error of their ways Just
as quickly as others. The packers and the
railroad men should get together
I'VE are all human" he continued And
as the great railroad magnate said this
he unconsciously emphasized his statement
by clasplng his little daughter in his arms
and fondly caresslngher.
Maybe the railroads are justified in
raising the rates on meat" he sad
Maybe the rate is a fair one. However,
that is neither here nor there; II Omaha
is Disseminated against the Omaha pack
ers have grounds forcomplaint"
What is the remedy for the complaint"
he~w asked.
IF the Interstate Commerce Commission
were appealed to 1t might order the old
rate in effect. on the other hand, It
might sustain the new rate as being fair
and reasonable. In the latter case the
roads in Kansas City that maintain the
low rate (the Wabash and Alton) would
be compelled to charge the same as the
other roads on the ground that the low
rate was illegal, inasmuoh as 1t discrim-
mated against Omaha"
To he Fought to Finish.
Omaha packers will fight the discrimina-
ton to the limit, In addressing their COM
munication to the railroads they have
taken the first STEP A second step win
be taken and a third. II need be. Presi-
dent HilPs words give the assurance that
the packers requests will be considered.
The packing interests point out the in
justice Of the boost in rates and appeal to
the reason Of the railroad men.
President Hills private car Is his home.
on wheels. With his wife and four little
children he is taking a vacation. The
party will go west from Kansas City TO
southern California points.
I'm Just off with the kids" smiled the
railroad king.
Two of them clung to his hands as he
talked, asking all manner OF childrens
questions. He answered them with tender
interest as any fond father would.
The observation compartment of the car
has been transformed into an automobile
garage. A big Packard touring ear is car
ried by Mr. Hill for the use OF his family.
} The end section Of the car was knocked
out and reconstructed 80 as to be portable.
About the auto the children romped ana
played sounding the horn and playing
chauffeur.
II had expected to have another glimpse
OF OT.aha this morning" said Mr.. Hill, as
he peered from the window off toward the
river. My car was brought down from St
Paul on the Northwestern and was TO have
be switched to the Burlington depot, but
the extra trip across the river was not
deemed necessary. My father and 1 spent
a happy day in Omaha at the time Of the
last corn show"