The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-26
OCEAN FREIGHT
 RATES INCREASE McAdO0 and Redfield Pre- sent Report to Senate 1150 PER CENT SHOWN Even at Extraordinary Figures Is Is Impossible to Get Cargo Sailings for Earlier Than March
 or April
115O PER CENT SHOWN

Washington. January Evidence of extraordinary advances in trans atlantic freight rates since the out break of the European war amount ing in some instances to 900 and even 1l50 per cent was presented to the Senate today in a joint report from Secretaries McAdoo and Redfield.
 ''Whiles this report is being written, . the statement says, information is re- ceived that rates are higher than those given in some of the tables presented and that even at these extraordinary figures 1t is difficult to obtain cargo space for earlier sailings than March and April.
 The report contains numerous tables on various commodities from American to European ports and summarizes the principal advances since August l last as follows:
 New York to Rotterdam on grain, 300 per cent: on flour. 300 per cent; on cotton, 700 per cent.
 New York to Liverpool on the same commodities, from 300 to 300 per cent.
 Baltimore to European ports (excepting Germany on grain, 900 per cent; on flour, 364 per cent: on cotton, 614 per cent.
 Norfolk to Liverpool, on grain, 157 to 200 per cent; on cotton, 1S6 per cent.
 Norfolk to Rotterdam, on cotton, All per cent; to Bremen, 11O0 per cent, name ly, from $1.25 to Sl5 per bale.
 Savannah to Liverpcol, on cotton, 25C per cent to Bremen, 900 per cent.
 Galveston to Liverpool on grain, 17i per cent: on cotton, 36l per cent; to Bre- men, on cotton. 1061 to l150 per cent.
 In one year ifrAmerican exports main tain the December, 1914 level, the report declares, the increased rates will make q charge of s216,224, 400 American ship rers, and that if the imports be included .I..s tl.Z amount would reach the sum of s9l1 ,S6i- 400, or 1416 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 a year would total $5S2, 110,00o.
 Contains Letters
 The report contains letters from busi- Ness men declaring their inability to get bottoms for their freight, and charging discrimination against freight that pays a low rate and the breaking of contracts by at least one of the big transatlantic steamship companies. The charges are summarized as follows:
 ocean freight rates have been arb- trarily increased to an unparalleled height without regard to the interests Of American trade.
 High rates are not only restricting the general volume of our export trade, but are actually stopping expectations in some lines. Some business plants have been shut down as a result of the exorbi- tant rates.
 "Ship owners, in some instance, arc 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 lumber. because the character of the shipments and the rates obtainable thereon make i. more to the interest of the steamship owner to accept one class of goods than another. If common carriers on land were to practice such determinations against shippers, and adopt such arbi- trary methods, they would be subject to criminal prosecution. "Despite claims that there is ample ton mage for the South American trade, there are letters to show that rates to South America have been greatly increased and there is a shortage of tonnage, both to and from, South America.
 '"rhe direct charge is made that the Hol- land-American line has repudiated writ ten contracts with American shippers and has increased freight charges with cut regard to their rights.'
 Ut will be observed" says the report, "ihat the greatest increases in rates and the heaviest tax has been made upon the products in which the American farmer is DnOSt greatly cbllctIHtu, IdllGlNt STdii 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.
 Increase Onerous
 '''rhis increase Is particularly onerous upon tEe cotton producers of the south, hech use it comes at a time when the ef- fleets of the war have greatly reduced the value of cotton and when the south- ern farmers arc least able to bear addi- tioral burdens. M s ~
 ocean freight rates are still rising and are limited only by the greed of the steamship owners on the hand and by what the traffic can stand on the other.
 r'The government has no power to con trol II regulate ocean freight rates; Ii cannot under existing law, protect opr foreign trade against these -extortionate aniAhuftful charges. The steamship own CTS can increase rates without notice and upon .iie instant and our business men are helpless. They are seriously checa- ing ever foreign trade. and in some cases, such as lumber and coal, are stopping + altogether"
 The report concludes with an argu- nicnt in favor of the ship purchase bill, in wDich the Senate is reminded that such unusual freight charges if con tinued, may result in creating a big bal ance of trade against this nation Ii Dpirrs ont that of Amprpan shine in al