Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-18
LOWER RATES ON
FREIGHT PROPOSED
Nebraska Farmers, in Convention,
Urge Reduction that Basis May
Be Same as in Other States.
FAVOR SHIPMENT TO CONSUMER


That railroad freight rates in Ne
braska should be reduced to the basis
charged for the same service in states
to the east and south, and that the
Nebraska railroads ought to continue
TO allow farmers to ship their pro-
duce to the cities and sell il direct to
the consumer from the cars, were
important ideas Incorporated In reso-
lutions adopted at the closing session
of the Nebraska Farmers Co-opera-
tive Elevator and Live Stock associa-
tion at Hotel Rome.
These and other resolutions were
adopted by a practically unanimous vote
after vigorous speeches had been made
In their favor and not a word had been
said in opposition. IL was made clear
that the ideal condition of cooperative
selling by the farm producers direct to
the city consumers would depend largely
upon reasonably low and justs4fre ght
rates and the possibility of the pro-
ducers being able to market their pro-
duce direct from freight cars.
Rates Are Too Hiuh.
That the most important work of the
cooperating elevators and live stock
shippers during the next year should be
in securing lowered freight rates, was
declared in the resolutions.
eve believe that the cost of building,
maintaining and operating railways In
Nebraska is 80 nearly the same as in ad-
joining states to the east and south that
there Is no reason why Nebraska pro-
ducers should pay higher freight rate"
the resolutions declared we therefore
urge all boards Of directors and secre-
tarles to take up the question OF ra l.
way tariffs with the railroads and the
state railway commissi3n, and we pledge
to them our fullest support in any neces-
tary action to secure more equitable
freight rates"
Strong sentiment exists among the
farmers in favor OF continuing the prac-
tice Of delivering fruits, vegetables and
other commodities from railway cars .dl-
rect to consumers, It was asserted, and
many advantages accrue therefrom to
both producers and consumers.
Railroads are therefore urged to per-
init the continuance of this practice"
the resolution said. THE association is
opposed to any rule that does not permit
the impartial use OF cars by all shippers,
or that restricts the free movement of
any articles of commerce. whether ship
ments be made by producers, consumers
or merchants"
War ON Middleman.
Resolutions also endorsed the Univer@
sity of Nebraska for recently establish
ing course in economic distribution of
farm products, Other resolutions also
urged more cooperation among produo-
ers, the reduction of the middleman's
margin of profit wherever possible, the
cooperative purchase OF coal, salt, twine
and other goods used by farmers, and
the publication for referendum vote Of
all questions of general interest to the
association that might arise in the future.
Thanks and appreciation were expressed
to the publicity bureau, the Commercial
club, the South Omaha Live stock asso-
citation. the Union Stock ards company,
the Rome hotel and the Omaha newspap-
ers for courtesies and cooperation in
making the convention success. 1t will
meet In Omaha again next year.
Farmers should Talk.
That more farmers and fewer outsiders
should talk and take part in the sessions
Of the organization was declared by Fred
Lind of Clarks. Neb.
Charles E. Eckerle of Chicago made
an addres on ''The Vital Things OF Co.
Operative Producing and Marketing"
Conference meetings of directors of the
association and of managers of the va
rious branches were held during the
morning.