The sun., 1917-05-27
RATE RAISE FOUGHT
AS MENACE TO FOOD
Western Producers Fear e.
feet on Canned Goods and
Cereal Shipments.

WASHINGTON. May 3s.-Food pro-
ducers and other shippers opposing the
request OF the railroads for a general is
per cont increase in freight rates to-day
began Presentation OF their side Of the
case to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. During the hearing several
trade bodies also submitted evidence on
the side Of the roads.
Representatives of Western food
producers and jobbers. fruit Jar and bot
tie interests, natural Ice manufacturers
OF New Jersey and Chicago and the
Colorado Grange appeared In opposition
to any increase. Those who supported
tho plea OF the roads that an increase 10
Justinable we're the Chicago Trafnc
Committee. the National Industrial Traf-
ac League. the Boston Chamber of Com
merce and a committee representing
Sioux City. Ia. commercial interests.
The Western food producers empha.
sised that no additional cost should be
placed At this time on food products and
declared that Is pr cent rate in
crease would disturb all existing ad-
5ustments between distributing centres
as well ~ many future contracts in
canned goods and dry cereals. Already.
they said. products had sustained an ad-
vance Of 3S per cent since 1914
Many VIII Ne Affected.
L. A. Kinney. speaking for the West.
ern fruit Jobbers and the National
League OF Commission Merchants. COM
posed of 10000 growers. distributors.
shippers and receivers, said the proposed
increase would fall heavily on the whole
Industry. and George ]. Kindel. repre-
senting the Colorado interests. proposed
| hat nf
pounds would be more equitable. The
problem is not one Of higher or lower
rates. but OF dtfferentials, Mr.. kindel
said. contending that Denver would be
Disseminated against under Is per
cent general increase. Our people are
not going to stand for it," he said. AL
though 1t probably would satisfy tho
sugar trust. which seems to get what
II wants"
The Eastern Shore Produce Exchange,
composed OF 5000 Virginia producers Of
Irish potatoes also entered q protest
through s. p. Wescott. who pointed out
that growers already had been burdened
by many new items Of expense The
barrels in which potatoes are packed for
shipping, he said cost about 40 cents this
year as against 33 cents formerly.
Chicago Favors Increase.
H. c. Barlow. chairman of the trafic
committee OF the Chicago Chamber Of
Commerce ana representing also tho In
dustrial Traffic League. composed OF $50
firms. said that in a referendum on the
| question I22 OF the members had voted
for and only II against a rate in
| crease during the present emergency.
He asked that the old relation between
the lake and rail and all rail lines be re-
| stored should the increase be allowed.
Speaking for the Boston Chamber Of
| Commerce, W. II. Chandler said the or
ganixation had gone son record BY 1.ai7
| to 80 as favoring a rate increase. Under
cross-examination by the shippers' coun-
| sol he said there were several State
Street bankers on the chambers board of
directors and that Howard Elliott also
was q director.
The hearings will be resumed Monday
| with other shippers on the stand and
| probably continue for two weeks.