South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-02-21
FREIGHT RATES
MAY Be BOOSTED
Local Chamber of Commerce
Plans Protest Against
Proposed Changes.

The question Of an increase in
freight rates to points south and
east OF the Ohio river, known as the
Green Line territory. again coufronts
the shippers Of South Bend and
vicinity. They have been notified by
the interstate commerce commission
that an application 10 cancel the
tariffs now in force will be consid-
cred in Chicago on March g.
Upon receiving this notice the
tariff bureau Of the Chamber Of
Commerce. working with the shippers
Of South Bend Immediately took
action. l. r. Martin a member Of
the traffic bureau. was instructed to
be prepared TO attend the meeting
Mr.. Martin viii also represent the
Interests OF the oliver Chilled pillow
works, Of which he is traffic man
ager.
A meeting Of the interested ship
pers will be held in a few DAYS and
a cali has already been sent out for
data concerning the effect this ac-
ton will have on each local shippers
freight rates. Lists OF questions
have been mailed. shippers have
been urged To attend the meeting
and IL Is expected TO perfect a strong
organization.
Was Up Once Before
This is a revival Of the same prop
osition that caused the manufactur-
ers and shippers OF this territory
considerable uneasiness last June. At
that time the Toledo. o.. Commerce
club, through their traffic commits
sioner. entered formal complaint
with the interstate commerce COM
mission against the railroads handl-
ing freight traffic from this territory
TO the Ohio river, claiming that the
rates enjoyed here Disseminated
against them.
At a meeting held here In June
the railroad representative seemed
inclined 10 cancel the proportional
rates applying TO South Bend terri
tory shipments rather than grant the
Toledo demand In doing this.
however. they declined TO include
Chicago. Milwaukee. Rockford Mo-
line. Peoria and other Illinois points
at even n greater distance This
gave a decided advantage 20 the
manufacturers an shippers located
at these points and South Bend ship
pers made indignant protest against
the unfair discrimination. Large
manufacturers took up the matter
The Chamber OF Commerce filed a
protest and as q result of the con-
certed action taken ut that time the
commission denied the petition Of
the railroads and the matter was
apparently settled
Calls For Another Fight.
Now It comes mp again and the
fight viii have TO be made all over
with but little time for preparation
The cancellation Of the present rates
which have been iu force for over
"a years. means changing 10 an
other classification and increasing
the freight charges to local shippers
from 80 per cent 20 So per cent on
all shipments 10 the Ohio river
crossings.
Not only will South Bend and
Mishawaka shippers be affected. but
from st. Joseph. Mich. on the north
south through Goshen. North Man.
chester. Lafayette and thence to the
Mississippi river. i'm what is known
as the proportional rate territory
every shipper VIII feel the increas,
in rates.
An effort viii DE made To s.cur,
a pOstpOnement of the Chicago hear
ing i'm order that the shippers
forces may Doe more thoroughly or
gained If the Interstate commerc,
com mission declines ia Grant This