Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-11-13
YOUR FREIGHT COSTS YOU
 MORE THIS YEAR
Local Freight Bureau Makes Estimate Pine Bluff to Spend $15. Per
 Capita For Hauling.

The morning paper gives an account of the mileage scales of rates being proposed by the Railroad Administra- tion for use in this country. The ar tice is correct as to the purpose and application of these rates but is in error m that part wEnch says "the scales will make slight increases in some rates.'
 It will be a sad day for Pine Bluff if thi sscale of rates is adopted. It would meth just thls, that our rates would be increased over 50 per cent. To the consumer in Pine Bluff this would mean an increase of $15.00 per year for each inhabitant assuming that we have 30,000 population. Pine Bluff has in freight charges on in bound freight $500, 100000 per year of this amount approximately, 60 per cent or $9O0,O00 is paid or goods that are consumed or used in Pine Bluff and so a 50 per cent increase will mean total increase of $75O,O0O and that the consumers of Pine Bluff must pay S450,000 of this or as stated above S15.0O per inha5itant
 What lnonstrous bur6on this will be and eevry citizen of Pine Bluff should immediately get behind the movement to fOrestall the adoption of 'these rates. The effect of this proposal is demonstration of the value of Traffic organization to take care of the interests of the ultimate consumer As far as the proposed rates are con- cerned on goods and merchandise that are consumed in Pine Bluff, the wholesaler and retailer can pass the higher charges on to the consumer and on this traffic he is little concern ed as to the measure of the rates, for the consumer pays, but when he ships his goods out of Pine Bluff he must reckon with Dis competitor as well as with the consumer at destination points.
 Please understand that Pine Bluff is primarily a jobbing center and has built up large business in several lines because of its several advantages in location and freight rates. The pro- posed scheme of rates will not only circumscribe our trade territory but will absolutely put some of our firms out of business. It is around our growth as a jobbing center that Pine Bluff has expanded in other lines, and any curtailment of the jobbing inter- est will have it's effect on all other lines.
 Any system trying to equalize transportation conditions which will destroy the commercial life city as large as Pine Bluff. Is utterly wrong. Our institutions have been builded up- on a relationship of transportation conditions in existence for genera ton it it just to entirely disrupt and tear down these institutions without taking all these matters into consid- eration?
 The p per cent increase in all freight rates which went into effect on June 25th, 1918 was war measure and has been recognized dhly for the purpose of creating transportation betterments towards the efficient and prompt handling of freight neces- the war is over it is certain that the Railroads will again revert to private management under competitive condi- tions, with possibly some pooling of efficient routing of freight, but the milege scales proposed seem to pre- clude the return the return to compe- titive conditions between carriers by rail or by water.
 Who is the Railroad Administrator and why these extra efforts to boost freight charges to unheard of heights? Pine Bluff is far more seriously af- ected by this proposal than any city or town in this section of thee ountry. The average percentage increase in the. ten class rates from St. Louis to some points are given:
 Pine Bluff ..................5O SOAP percent Little Rock .................... .39.47 percent Stuttgart . ............39.9 percent Dermott 31 ,OO percent Camden -...........,.........23 23.OO percent
 It should be remembered that Pine Bluff has always in the past enjoyed the same freight rates inbound as Little Rock but this proposal makes them II percent higher.
 'These proposed mileage scales which name rates for every five miles from one to one thousand miles mean this to Pine Bluff. The consumer has been paying $3O.OO annually for freight this will be increased to $45OO. The wholesale or jobbing interests in- stead of doing business for a distance of 100 miles will be reduced to at least 50 miles. It will I feel sure re- duce his present business 50 per cent. Can We stand this and it is it just? The Traffic Bureau has had these figures for week and the Board of Directors has already considered the matter resulting in the call for a meeting of all business interests at the Hotel Pines at luncheon Wednes- day Nov. 18th, when the matter will be more fully explained and some act- 1 ion taken.
 The newspapers should take an act i've part in appraising every business ] and every consumer in Pine Bluff of the seriousness of the matter. It is indeed a serious crisis.