The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-29
DISCRIMINATION CLAIMED
BY MEMPHIS LUMBERMEN

Memphis has been unduly discrimi-
mated against and has, through the lack
of transit privilege, dropped from the
foremost hardwood lumber city in the
country to a comparatively small CEN
ter, according to James Il. Stark, prom
inent lumberman who Monday was the
first witness called in the interstate
commerce commission hearing at Hotel
Gayoso,
Prominent lumbermen from many sec
items of the South and railroad counsel
representing more than a dozen Sys-
TENS were on hand when hearing of
the Southern Hardwood Traffic associ-
atoms complaint againt the director
general of railroads was opened before
Examiner Barclay The complaint first
was filed in November, 1913 and be-
ing before the return of the roads to
private ownership reads as against the
railway administration
Practically the entire forenoon was
consumed by j. V. Norman, Louisville,
with J. II. Townshend, representing the
hardwood association, in questioning
Mr. Stark. Mr.. Stark at the time the
complaint was filed occupied the presi-
dency of the association
In 1910 Memphis had about 80 hard
wood lumber plants doing a thriving
business, Mr.. Stark testified, but when
the transit privilege was repealed the
number dropped until now there are
only two or three. Their operations are
handling here of wholesale hardwoods.
The petition recites that through d
combination local freight rate cost OF
lumber transportation from its origin
to final destination when dressed, dried
or otherwise sorted or handled in Mem.
phis is greatly in excess OF tariff
through other points. The same con-
ditions exist as to Louisville and the
| adjustment of this is prayed. Mr.. Stark
offered as example costs of shipping
carload of lumber from Winona, Miss,
| to Buffalo, first through Grand Rapids
and then through Memphis. When
handled at the Michigan city, he testi-
| fled cost Is $lSl while the local com
| bination rate mounts expense when
ysrded and assorted here to S2l0- BEL
carload While Cairo. H., has q rate
| similar to this city freight rate per loo
pounds from points in Louisiana tc
| Grand Rapids is five and one-half cents
greater for Memphis concerns handling
lumber than concerns Of Cairo, he de-
| clared.
Mr.. stark advocated the establish.
ment Of transit rates at certain points
| in the South, saying that lack of sucf
at present made necessary the present
high cost of lumber. Memphis, h'
| stated, had to compete not only II
| SelnnR, nut also III puylhS Win Huulel
| Gus points in the East, all of which
| derived great benefit from the transi
| privilege. Added cost of yarding thu
| lumber here when dressing and assert
| ing gave this city the smallest possibl,
opportunity to secure a market, he ties
titled, and the taking out Of the transi
rate had worked deplorable hardship
especially on the small mills.
Mr.. Norman completed direct exami
nation shortly before noon. The after
i noon was consumed in cross -examina
ton by c. e. Northrop, Washington
who represented the railroad admins
tration and seven railroads. Other wit
nesses were to be called later.
Other railroad attorneys present were
la. n Hamburg. ], l.. Sheppard, Chi
I4fago c. c. Rausch, II. G. Herpe, 81
w.ouis George Schnltzer, Little Rock
4. P. Nash, of st. Louis, w. A, North