The Washington times., 1913-08-11
EXPECT TO UNITE IN
FIGHT ON RAILROADS
M erch ants Representatives
Here Plan to Help Baltimore
in War on Rates.

Merchants of Washington and Balti-
more will get together in the fight the
two cities will wage against the rail-
road companies for continuance of free
store-door delivery OF freight if the
traffic bureau OF the Baltimore Mer-
chants and Manufacturers exchange
decides to fight the case on the basis,
that is expected.
The Baltimoreans are meeting this af-
ternoon. 1t is expected that they will
reach decision TO base their case
on the claim tina; the freight rates to
and from Baltimore are made to include
the delivery of the freight, and that this
delivery is not, therefore. free; that
discontinuance of the delivery service
would in effect mean raise in freight
rates, which should not be allowed by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
unless the railroads could show loss of
money In their business between Bal
umore and other points.
Agree With Capital Leader.
These views, which come from leaders
in the Baltimore fight. are identica!
with those that have been held ever
since the fight began by R. P. Andrews.
president of the washington Retail
Merchants Association.
Mr.. Andrews stated today that he IA
Vored making the tight on this basis
from the first, but that counsel for the
two local commercial bodies believed it
would be easier to win on the discrim-
ination basis. Now that the discrimina-
ton fight has resulted so disastrousIv
for both Washington and Baltimore, il
is likely that the two cities will combine
forces and fight on the basis above out
lined
Mr.. Andrews said today that Chaplin
Brown and NJ. D. Rosenberg, who are
representing the Chamber of Commerce
and the Retail Merchants Association,
respectively, have practically agreed
with him in his view Of the case.
Delivery Included IN Rates.
Tt is my opinion" said Mr. Andrews,
that on freight shipped to or from
Washington, the rates are not made for
carriage between railroad stations, but
for carriage between the shippers place
of business and the point of destination
in case shipments are from Washington,
or between the station at the shipping
point and the consignee's place of bust
ness in case goods are shipped here and
that in all such cases the cost of trans
fer in Washington has been figured as
part Of the total rate charged by the
railroad company. To discontinue the
transfer service without reducing the
charge would amount to an increase in
freight rates"
1t has been intimated that because
the railroads order disseminating the
service in Baltimore is the result Of the
discrimination pleading Of the local mer-
chants, the Baltimore association is
not inclined 10 cooperate with the
Washington organizations. II the cases
for the two cities are identical, how
ever. as they would be if the case were
fought on the basis outlined above. thcrc.
IS little doubt that the organizations in
the two cities will combine in the fight
The traffic division Of the Baltimore
association is meeting this afternoon.
and the local leaders in the fight will
await the result of the meeting with in
terest MIR. Andrews said today that
meeting of the counsel and the freight
and transportation committee Of th,. Re
tail Merchants Association will DC held
within a few days.