Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-20
Commercial Clubs Traffic Man at
Meeting in Chicago.
TARIFF ON GRAIN IS BOOSTED
Shipments from Local Market Two
Cents More a Hundred.
ALL TRUNK LINES INVOLVED
Twenty-Five Roads Put UD Schedule
June 1-Increase on Goods that
Arc Just Now Most in
Demand.

Hostilities in the rate fight between the
railroads and the shippers, preclpitated by
the announcement of the increased tariffs
to be placed in effect June 1. will be CEN
tered in Omaha, so far as the western
country is involved. Omaha shippers have
not yet formed their battle line and ag-
gressive steps are not likely to be taken
before the meeting to be held here on
May 25,
Announced schedules when put in effect
are, in the opinion of Omaha shippers. GER
tain to have an influence on western com
merce beyond the immediate increase in
the cost Of shipment of goods
L. j. McVann, head of the Commercial
clubs traffic bureau, who is now in Chi
cago, was yesterday in communication
with Omaha grain dealers and jobbers Mr..
McVann is in attendance at the meeting of
shippers being held there now He is talk
ing q close survey of the field with a view
to determining the conditions that are to
arise in Omaha's territory and the steps
which must be taken to meet them.
In view Of the arbitrary raise of two
cents hundred on all grain shipments out
of Omaha regardless of distance or desti-
nation, the grain men are vitally concerned
in the controversy which Is now brewing.
The fact that this raise is to be made
on June l, at the same time that the other
general increases are due, has been mat
ter of general discussion on the Omaha
grain exchange for several weeks
Outcome Yet I'm Doubt.
Mr.. McVann in his message TO Omaha
men has not yet expressed an opinion in
regard to the probable outcome of the con-
g. hall in
IF all shipping points are raised alike it
will not be of serious import to the grain
dealers themselves" said N. P. Updikc,
president of the Updike Grain company.
IF on the other hand the raise does not
have widely general application it will
Inevitably result IN a DISCRIMINATION. Re
gardess of that aspect of the matter this
much is certain, when the raise comes the
consumer will either pay more, or the
producer will get less"
All of the trunk lines controlling the
traffic between Omaha, Chicago, st.
Louis, Kansas City, st. Paul, Milwaukee,
Memphis and intermediate points are en-
| braced in the advance.
! Including the great trunk lines the
! Northwestern, Milwaukee, Rock Island,
| Burlington Atchison, Alton, St. Paul
Minneapolis & Omaha, Illinois Central,
| Minneapolis & st. Louis, Missouri, Kansas
& Texas; Missouri Pacific and the Wabash
there are twenty-five roads connected with
the great increase in transportation tariffs
The construction of the new tariff has
| been carried out obviously with a watchful
| eve for those commodities from which
there is usually a great demand at this
| time of the year. Thus. the increase IN
| rates can be depended upon to bring a
very direct and immediate increase in reve-
nue..
Rate experts in Washington have made
calculations on a number of the schedules
and have thus far found that none of the
increases amount to more than 20 per cent
of the old rate.
Possible Rise in Prices.
In view of the uncertainty of the action
to be taken by the commercial bodies of the
west the Omaha jobbers are reticent about
discussion of the subject. They, however
make the admission that the increases in
freight tariffs can not but be followed by
rise in the prices of commodities.
Coal rates are slated for an increase of
! Z per cent of the old rate on shipments
! from the Illinois and Indiana fields.
The eastern lines are to make similar
raises in rates, and in states where legisla-
| tion does not prevent, increases will be
made in passenger rates as well. The rail-
roads are standing on the general conten-
| ton that the increase of revenues is neces-
| sary to meet the Increased wages paid to
employees
| The answer to this contention will con-
stitute the principal argument of the pro-
tests which the shippers propose to file
| with the Interstate Commerce commission
They will maintain that the growing reve-
nues of the roads as shown by reports of
| operation under the present rates is ample
and sufficient TO meet the cost of operation.
The railroads are in a race against time
TO get their rates into effect before tn
passage Of legislation which will increase
| the power of the Interstate Commerce COM
! mission injunction against new schedules.