Evening star., 1921-05-05
FOLL0W-UP ATTACK
ON FREIGHT RATES.
Shippers Interested to Con-
fer With Railway Execu-
tiveS and !. c. c.

A conference between railway ex-
ecutives, members Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, producers ana
shippers has been arranged for May
13, as a result Of the first concerted at
tack by large shippers on high freight
rates. The conference was arranged
after the producers group. representing
all the larger building materials manu-
facturer's association, had submitted
to President Harding its demand
for prompt action. They contended
the situation was urgent and would
not brook, the ordinary slow and ex-
pensive processes" of appeal for rel1ef
through the commission.
President Harding was said to have
approved the conference plan. which
contemplates bringing the rate prob
lens to an issue and getting stag
mated construction work throughout
the country on the move again through
concessions in rates by the carriers
and in prices by material producers
Steps by Mining Congress.
Report on the steps taken by the
material men, made by Hugh Fuller
the American Mining Congress in the
proceedings, shows that the group of
producers representing concerns
which supply building materials de-
termined to carry their attack on
freight rates to the top when efforts
freight agents of the railroads failed.
A number of conferences were held in
Washington eliminating in visit to
President Harding, and telegram
was sent to Daniel Willard Of the As
sociation Of Railway Executives ask
Mr. Willard agreed with the under
standing that representatives of both
sides in interest are prepared to dis
cuss the matter in Its broadest as
poets and with spirit of co-opera-
ton"
Il doubt" Mr.. Willard's message
added, "if much would be accomplish
ed by such a conference If the discus
sion were confined merely to the mat
ter of railway rates.
Material Men Outline Case.
In outlining their case to President
Harding the material men said, in
part:
Irrespective Of the fact that there
is an unprecedented demand for all
kinds of construction, the building
and road-making industries are at a
standstill. The chief cause OF defer
ment Gin building work) is excessive
| freight rates applying on that class
Of materials which are heavy loading
and of low value.
"Freight rates on building and road
materials have been increased an
average Of 10 per cent since 1917. as
| compared with IS per cent on general
| commodities. In some instances the
rates on building and road-making
materials are now in excess of their
price at the point of production.
! 1.-The rates have been advanced be-
yond the point the traffic will bear"
! Organizations Represented.
/ Among the building materials or
eanizations represented in the con-
ferences were the National Associa-
| tion Sand and Gravel Producers, by
| E. Guy Sutton, Indianapolis; Natona
Paving Brick Manufacturers. j. G.
Barbour, Canton, Ohio; American
| Face Brick Association, H. E.
| Stringer. Texas; Hollow Building
ITile-Associaton. H. NJ. -Keasby and
w. NJ. CounclI Of Missouri; National
Lumber Manufacturers Association,
Frank Carnahan. Texas: National
Sardles. Columbus, Ohio. and the
Gypsum Industries Association, w.
D. Lindsay.