New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-13
Will Ask Federal Action Against
New York Central and
Pennsylvania Lines.
DlSCRIMI ALLEGED
Chautauqua and Lake Erie As.
ISOLATION Asserts That Car.
riers Control Nickel Plate
Contrary to Law.
fRv Telegraph 70 The Tribune. ]

Westfield, y. Y, Sept. IAN appeal
TO the United States Attorney General
to institute proceedings against the
New York Central and Pennsylvania
railroads on the ground Of alleged
violation of the Sherman law is about
to be made by the Chautauqua and
Lake Erie Fruit Growers Association,
a powerful body comprising the con-
trolling interests of the Erie grape belt
extending from Buffalo to Erie CITY,
The association charges that the two
roads control the Nickel Plate system,
TO the oppressive restriction Of trade
1--WE have strong case" ID. K. Fall
vav. president of the association, told
The Tribune correspondent. Our at
torneys have almost completed their
collation. Of the evidence, which shows
without a shadow OF doubt that the
Nickel Plate road Is not independent
but is controlled by the Lake Shore
road. q New York Central system, and
the Pennsylvania. Within week or
two the papers will be in the hands OF
our Representative in Congress, Charles
NJ Hamilton, and the Representative
of our Erie members, who Will lay the
case before the Attorney General"
This action may be attributed TO tho
anger OF the members Of the assooia-
ton at the recent refusal OF the freight
traffic rate board Of the Lake Shore,
Pennsylvania and New York railroads
N continue the concession OF a com
modify rate" Of 80 cents hundred
pounds on westbound and southbound
shipments of grapes.
Fifteen years ago the railroads
shipped grapes from the Erie belt west
and south for IS cents a hundred
pounds, and loaded the fruit. In acdi-
ton they made big rebates to shippers.
when the Interstate Commerce Com
mission came into being rates shot up
TO 22 and 10 30 cents a hundred. The
commission then classified grapes az
second class freight, rendering them
liable to the second class freight rate
Of 80 cents hundred pounds. The
railroads. however. granted. as a con-
cession, a special commodity rate of 81
cents for west and southbound ship
ments.
The roads abruptly notified the ship
pers of the belt in June that the con-
cession would cease Immediately. The
association appealed 10 the Interstate
Commerce Commission. the secretary
Of which got into touch with the rail-
roads concerned. which replied that
they were within their rights In with
drawing the concession.
The association has now appealed 70
the commission TO have grapes clas-
sified as third class freight, which
would make the freight rate 80 cents
once more This appeal is under con-
sideration. Detailed charges Of unjust
discrimination against the New York
growers. moreover. were made by the
association.
THE freight rate on one hundred
pounds Of grapes is 81 II from Cali
fornia 10 New York" declared Mr.. Fall
way. "and So 20 from New York to
California a carload Of bottled grape
Juice is worth ST, 800. The freight rate
on IL TO Chicago from Chautauqua is
only 81 cents a hundred pounds. Yet
q carload of grapes. worth only S4oo
has to pay a freight rate Of 80 cents
hundred pounds on the same Journey