The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-05
RAILROADS REFUSE
FREIGHT FOR EXPORT
Notify Western Lines Not to
Send Goods Consigned
to Europe.
CHANCE FOR GRAIN TRADE
When Ships Are Provided New
York May Regain Former
Supremacy.
CHANCE FOR GRAIN TRADE

Tho Trunk Line Association OF Rail-
roads. which includes all the lines entering
New York. held n meeting at l43 Liberty
street yesterday afternoon. and took steps
TO stop all shipments TO this city on
through bills OF lading The trunk lines
notified their Western connections by
telegraph last night that they must cease
the issuance Of through bills Of lading on
goods destined for points in Europe and
that II such bills are issued they will not
be accepted by the trunk lines. and In any
case the goods will not be transported 10
this city.
The Eastern railroads werc impelled 20
take this action by reason OF the possibility
that they would have 90 store enormous
quantities OF grain, agricultural imple-
ments and other goods shipped from
Chicago and other Western points 20
Europe on contracts. with the acceptance
OF the goods on through bills OF iadlng.
IL was said. tho railroads would become
responsible for delivery 20 tho consignce,
whether In Russia, England France.
Germany or elsewhere ard would ho com
pellAd 20 pay the storage. insurance and
other charges made necessary ny any
DELAY caused nv the war
So far. II was asserted the congestion
OF grain and other commodities. as VOL as
merchandise, for export has not been
great. Tho grain elevators % the New
York Central were reported as only about
one third f1l~i, and there was an abur.
dance Of storage space In the merchandise
warehouse Of New York and Jersey City.
II Is only within tho last four days how
ever. that cancellations Of tho ssilnEs Of
the big freight carrying steamships have
teen made and the railroads decided to
take action before the situation became
alarming.
There is "A large legal question as 10
tho responsibility OF the railroads on
delayed shipments on through bills al
IadlnG. said a railroad traffic official last
night. "and In order 10 escape legal en-.
tanglements II was decided to stop such
shipments Immediately. AZ tho same time
We believe that the Government will nnd
some way To provid. ships for tho export
% American agricultural products and
manufactured goods TO Europe. where
thcv will be ~ great demand.
There IL another question of vast I'M
portanco to New York A. Is well known
this city lost the major part OF her grain
trade through a differential freight rate
that is. all grain shipments TO this port
wore forced 10 pay n higher rate than
shipments Of grain to Philadelphia. Bal
timore and other ports. All the reasons
for such a diferential have disappeared
but the differental exists-which is the
reason why most Of our grain is now
exported through other Atlantic and Gulf
ports
1T appears that there Is chance now
for New York TO regain her old SUI
premacy. Whatever arrangements are
made 10 supply ships flying tho Amcri-
can flag for tho European trade. It H.
certain that most OF them will sail from,
New York. This will bring the grain
here and probably will force the abolish
ment or the freight rate difrerential. II
New York ever gets its grain export trade
back again II will keep II, you may de-
pend upon that"
Representatives NJ tho Trunk Limo As
sociation said that many questions ~
regard 10 shipments 10 thin port We
being considered and that full state
ment in regard 10 the unprecedented eN-
port trade situation would be made when
conclusions are reached.