Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-26
Tables of Rates


Of rates on various commodities from
American 10 European ports and sum
marizes the principle advances since
August last as follows:
New York TO Rotterdam or grain 200
PEI cent on four 800 per cent; on cotton
- per cent.
New York 10 Liverpool on the same
commodities, from 800 TO 800 per cent.
Baltimore to European ports except
ing Germany on grain $40 per cent; on
-four 564 per cent; on cotton 6l4 per cent.
Norfolk to Liverpool on grain 157 TO 2oo
per cent; on cotton 1S6 per cent.
Norfolk to Rotterdam on cotton All
per cent; TO Bremen 11n0 per cent, name
~ from ST. TO $500 per bale
Savannah to Liverpool on cotton 25O
PEI cent. 10 Bremen 800 per cent
Galveston TO Liverpool on grain ia
per cent; on cotton 96l per cent; to
Bremen on cotton 10Gl 10 1850 per cent.
The report declares that in one year #
american exports maintain The Decem-
her ASA, 24esea>-, the Increased rates will
make a charge Of s2l6 cc24 400 on American
shippers and that If the imports be in
Guided on the same basis Of calculation
the amount would reach the sum Of SCI,
Sf4 100 or 14l6 per cent over the usual
cost. IF normal rates are taken IN
conjunction with the abnormal on the
December basis the freight charge on
both exports and imports in year
would make the grand total of $50 10000,
The report contains several score let-
tiers from business men over the country
declaring their inability 10 get bottoms
for their freight, and charging dtscrim-
in9tion by such carriers as are in bust
ness against freight that pays Il low
rate and the breaking of contracts by
at least one of the big transatlantic
steamship companies. The charges are
summarized as follows
Arbitrary increases
Ocean freight rates have been arhi
trari!v Increased TO an unparalleled
neigh, without regard TO the interests
o. American trade.
High rates are not only restricting
the general volume OF our export trade
but are actually stopping exportations
il some lines. Some business plants
have been shut down as a result Of the
exorbitant rates.
Snip owners in some instances are
taking only those goods or commodities
which will pay the highest rates OF
freight and are easily Unloaded, and are
declining TO accept shipments Of other
commodities (such, for instance as 1urn-
he-, because the character Of the ship
rnents and the rates obtainable thereon
make il more TO the interest OF the
steamship owner TO accept one class o.
goods than another IF common carriers
or land were to practice such discrirnin-
atoms against shippers, and adopt such
arbitrary methods. they would be sub
tect 70 criminal prosecution.
DESPITE claims that there is ample
tonnage for the South American trade,
there are letters TO show that rates TO
South America have been greatly in
creased and there is shortage OF ton
mage both to and from South America
Contracts Repudiated
THE direct charge is made that the
1Iolland-American Line has repudiated
written contracts with American ship
pers and has Increased freight charges
without regard TO their rights,
The report contains also q letter from
the Panama Railroad Company which
says.
our stock tot coaD has been reduced
from 90 GOO TO 4e,ono tons, and both the
Earn line And our Company are scour-
ing the charter market IN the effort to
secure sufficient tonnage 10 carry to the
Isthmus the amount Of coal it is imper-
alive we should keep there"
1T will be observed" says the report
that the greatest increases in rates and
t7e, heaviest tax has been made upon
the products in which the American far
-ner is most concerned. namely, grain
and cotton. Grain and cotton constitute
the great bulk Of our export trade and
have the largest influence in throwing
the balance of foreign trade in favor of
this country.
Hits Cotton Producers
This increase is particularly onerous
upon the cotton producers OF the South.
because il comes at a time when the
effects Of the war have greatly reduced
the value Of cotton and when the South
e-n farmers are least able to bear adoi-
tionaI burdens.
Ocean freight rates are still rising
and are limited only by the greed of the
steamship owners on the one hand and
by what the traffic can stand On the
Other.
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