Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-27
SHIPPERS OPPOSED TO
INCREASED FREIGHT RATES
PROPOSED nv RAILROADS

A. Sykes. president Of the Corn Belt
Meat Producers Association. returned
from Chicago. where he attended a
conference Of the representatives OF
the big shipping interests OF the coun.
try for the purpose Of protesting
against the proposed advance of 10
per cent in freight rates now being
asked for by the railroads and to for
mulate plan to present and defend
the shippers. interests in this case be-
fore the interstate commerce commits
sion. This conference was held at the
La Sale Hotel and some two hundred
delegates were present representing
almost every different line Of indus
try in the country
Mr. Sykes reports that there had
apparently been a we'll defined move
ment launched by those in sympathy
with the railroads. and who favored
the advances. to pack and control the
convention so as to prevent any ad-
verse action to the advances being
taken, az vice president OF one OF
the big lines and also general man
ager of another we're present. This
scheme frst cropped out in organic
ing the conference. but the big fight
came on the adoption OF the resolu-
tons.
II. c. Wallace of Dcs Moines. sec
rotary of the meat producers asso-
citation, was made chairman OF the
conference and NJ. r. Meyers Of Chi
cage secretary of the National
Farmers cooperative Grain Dealers
Association. was chosen secretary.
a resolutions committee Of FIVE was
named consisting OF s. II. Cowan. OF
Texas; A.. Sykes. of Iowa; Ex-Gov-
eruor Stubbs. Of Kansas; Clifford
Thorne. OF Chicago, and Grade, If
Louisville Ky.
1t was on the report of this COM
mittee that the real FIRE works were
started. Among other resolutions re-
ported was one citing the fact that
the net earnings Of the railroads for
1915 had Increased ss0o.000,oo0 over
1915 and condemning and protesting
against the advance on the theory
that the railroads at present are so
prosperous that they cannot hide their
enormous net earnings. and that II
would be unjust and unfair 10 place
an additional burden Of IL per cent In
freight rates, which would amount TO
about 81 900 900 a day, on the people
al this time.
This was quickly followed by mo-
ton from one of the railroad sympa-
th,zers To substitute resolution en-
dorsing the advance and recommend
ing 10 the interstate commerce COM
mission that the advances be allowed
at once. The substitute was voted
down about ) to 1 and the original
resolution passed by the same ratio.
At this juncture. the leader of the
railroad sympa thizers jumped to his
feet and demanded that his name be
stricken from the records as dele
gate and asked the consent to with
draw from the conference. to which
Mr. wallace, the chairman. calmly re-.
piled that he and all the rest who we're
In favor OF the advances had the
unanimou. consent OF the conference
to withdraw and not return. So some
twenty Ave or thirty jumped to their
feet and left the hall, apparently In
very much of a rage. and they cer-
rainiy were rhooted and o,aPped out In
great style.
After the episode the conference
proceeded in an orderly way to trans
act its business. The chairman was
authorized to appoint committee Of
FIVE to have charge Of the prepare
ton and presentation OF the case to
the interstate commerce commission
for the public and the shippers. The
chairman was also authorized 10 APP
point committee to personally wait
upon the interstate commerce COM
mission and congress and protest
against the advances ard to urge 4
full hearing and investigation of the
entire case. The organization was
made perms nent and steps will be
taken at once to protect the peoples
interests In this proposed rate ad-
vance.
Mr.. Sykes says that IL the advances
asked for go into effect, it is estimat-
ed that they will amount to about
$3.50, 900, 900 a year. or almost a mil
lion dollars day and that the pub
lie should be very slow in making up
It's mind that the railroads are en-
titled to this enormous increase In
revenue. He says the facts are that
the net earnings Of the roads In
creased over 33o0.oo0.0o0 in 1916.
which enormous increase in net earn
ings would more than take care Of
any increase in operating expenses
caused by increases in wages Of en-
ployes and any other increase in op-
Grating expenses that might come
through increases in materials.
The Corn Belt Meat Producers Asso-
citation is preparing to look after tho
interests Of the Iowa farmers and
stock men so far as possible In this
important case, but in order to do
this. the association must have funds
with which to make the fight. He
urges all farmers to make liberal con-
tributions to the association for this
purpose. n these advances 80 into
effect, II will cost Iowa shout $4,000
900 annually in freight bills In add
ton to what she Is already paying
and the farmers will pay the bulk Of
the increase. 80 II stands them In
hand to make . most vigorous fight
against such an enormous and APP
parentiy unjust increase in freight
rates.
POULTRY FOR PREPARE DNEss.
More Fowls and Better Care Great De-