The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-09
Joint Chnmber Statement.

Joint Chamber Statement.
The joint statement follows in full:
Tile merchants and manufacturers
of Norfolk. Petersburg, Richmond and
Roanoke. believing that certain err
roneouS impressions exist in the minds
of their friends in North Carolina CON
corning their attitude in connection
with the proposed reduction in the
rates between Western points and
North Carolina points. consider that il
viii he not only proper. but also benc-
fetal to the friendly trade relations
existing between them. to make an cN-
plicit and candid statement with tn.
object of removing those Impressions
and substituting therefor compre-
hensivc understanding of tn" circum-
stances causing them To intervene ia
the hearing OF these rate matters be
fore the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion:
First The merchants and ma,ufac-
turers of the four Virginia cities named
are not cndcaNorinE 10 prevent the pco-
pie Of North Carolina from obtaining
reduced rates. ON the contrary. they
arc only trying TO Obtain CORES ponding
reductions between Virginia cities and
North Carolina points mutually bcnc-
fetal and fai, to all parties
Where u Would Hurt.
Second. II reduced rates between
Western points and North Carolina
points should be issued without CORE
spending reductions between the Viz
Ginia cities and North Carolina points
IL would tend materially to decrease IN.
number of competitive markets bidding
Tor the trade of the North Carolina
incrchantS-in other words. tend to di-
vert the energies OF the Virginia cities
merchants and manufacturers away
from their existing trade relations with
the people of North Carolina. and con
Scqucntly deprive the people Of North
3 , H..,. lilo. : /.
Ithc competition between the markets
q! tho Virginia cities and Western cities
for the trade of North Carolina
Third The merchants and mauufac-
tuners Of the Virginia cities named
maintain friendly commercial relations
With the great cities OF Baltimore
Philadelphia. New York, Boston Buff
falo. cleveland. Chicago ard st. Louis.
tic. II Il tariff OF reduced rates to the
Virginia cities should be issued say
/ from Philadelphia, and not from Balti-
more. New York and Boston. the mcr-
chants and manufacturers of the Vir-
ginia cities would dcp!orc such action.
as il would tend TO deprive them of the
benefit OF purchasing in the three other
markets.
III II tariff az reduced rates to Vir-
@inia cities should be issued from
Chicago and not from St Louis and the
other points, the merchants and man
ufacturcrs Of Virginia cities would re-
gard 1t as calamity. as it also
would deprive them of the freedom of
markets: ana this is exactly the posi-
ton ia which the very large majority
of merchants in North Carolina will
TIE placed if tariff Of reduced rates
is issued from the West to North Caro-
; lima points without corresponding re-
auctions from Virginia cities The
Virginia cities would never invite re-
duccd rates from particular city or
section To the exclusion Of another
particular city or section. 1t is false
business principle. necessarily bring
ing its own destruction.
I Have Matcrini Advantage.
Fourth. The rates from western
points to North Carolina points are
so adjusted as to afford Western ship
pcrs int" North Carolina not only ma
tcrial but extraordinary advantages
over the Virginia cities shippers
which latter have seen much business
already diverted from them to Western
cities. and they believe that in the in
I tercsts of the retail merchants, and
ultimate consumers of North Carolina
J tnot ignoring their own INTEREST," Il
/ further transfer OF this business to
| Western cities will operate as Il posi-
! tive injury. not only to them. but also
largely and principally to the retail
/ merchants and the ultimate consumers
in North Carolina.
Fifth. 1t is for these logical and
well meant reasons that Virginia cities
believe that the best solution for the
mutual benefit of themselves and the
people Of North Carolina can be reach
cd by settlement of the question by the