The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-09-14
RATE
is UNFAIR TO
n. W. FARMERS.
Heads Of 500 Line and NJ. &
st. l.. Declare Rate Is
Discriminatory
OPPONENTS PRESET N r,
4
Representatives Of Duluth
and Buffalo interests FIX
amino Witnesses
OPPONENTS ESENT

, Minneapolis. Sept. 1i-tR With
tcs stimony to the effect that Il grain
rate cut is ono of the chief needs
NJ the farmer already given, propon-
ents of the proposed six-cent cut on
all rail grain and flour rates to the
eas, prepared today to furnish moro
detailed information to the Interstate
Commerce Commission hearin. the
case here.
Opponents Of the plans, who at
tho opening hearing yesterday met
TEST I:nony Of witnesses by freely
cross examining those who took the
floor. indicated their intention of
pressing their case vigorously.
{. Y. Jaffray, president Of the 500
receiver Of tho Minneapolis and St
Louis road. which initiated the
rates now temporarily suspended.
have told the commission that the
rate now in force. and which they
described as discriminatory" is
causing northwest farmers to suffer.
Minneapolis. II Handicapped
:. NJ. M. Joyce, chief counsel for the
Minneapolis and st. Louis road. has
taken the stand that even with the
granting Of the proposed six-cent
cut, Minneapolis would still be
functioning under rate handicap
OF at least nine cents per 100 pounds,
compared with a lake route to trunk
line territory.
Representatives Of the Duluth
grain market and Buffalo and south
western milling interests are appear
ing before the commission, and thus
Tar have been active in cross exam
lining what witnesses have appeared
Tor proponents Of the rate proposal.
Representatives Of commercial
bodies. traffic groups. grain ex-
changes and business firms are ready
to submit information from their
various organizations in Seattle,
Tacoma. Topeka, Milwaukee, Aber-
dcen. st. Paul. Duluth, Portland, Ore,
st. Louis, Chicago. Kansas City, Bis
marck, jamestown, INDIANAPOLIS.
Slpux City, Spokane, Btffalo and sev-
etal other cities.
The controversy is mot IL quarrel
between Minneapolis and Duluth .
Frank Newman. vice president in
charge Of traffic for the 500 line,
testified.
THE reduction is merely an effort
by the 500 line to make "A basis Of
rates which will make it possible to
renlace somt lost traffic." he said.
The two 500 line witnesses testi-
fled that rates from Duluth to Buff
falo have remained practically un-
changed in recent years while Mime
apolis has had steadily increasing
rate on grain and grain products.
while flour shipments from Mime
apolis have gone from 14,898, 900 bar
rels in 1906 to l2.7l7,OOO in 1926, Buff
falO shipments have gone from 3
$4,000 to 9,i56.OOO barrels.
MILL PRODUCTS MAKE
BULK OF RAIL TRAFFIC
Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. l4..R-
The 500 line is interested in freight
rates favorable to Minneapolis flour
mills because "the products Of these
mills represent the largest substan-
ttaI lmQunt Of traffic that the COM
nunity has to offer for tho carriers
with the exception Of it's grain" de-
clared +. F. Rice, assistant general
freight agent of that road. in opening
he second days sessions Of the In
lefStatc Commerce Commission hear
ing here today.
The 500 line joined the Minncapo.
lip and st. Louis railroad in initial
ing q six cent reduction on all-rail
shipments Of grain and grain pro
iuSts In the cast, out Of which de-
vel0pcd the present hearing to de-
tide whether the new rate schedule
shall be authorized by the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
Minneapolis 4 Milling Center
During the last 40 years." said
Mr. Rice, minneapolis has been the
leading milling center Of the United
States, and part of that time (if not
MI of it) Of the world and as such
products Of these mills represent the
largest substantial amount Of traffic
hat the community has to offer for
The carriers with the exception Of its
grain.
"The mill products and the grains
moving from Minneapolis.
to in excess of 50 per cent
Of the total forwarded traffic"
Testimony given Monday conferred
around efforts of representatives Of
the two lines to show that they are
losing much Of their east bound
grain and flour shipments because Of
water competition, which takes the
traffic through the head Of the lakes
md down tho lakes 70 Buffalo.
II was indicated that at least an
other day would be devoted to pre-
sentation Of Minneapolis case. Then
will come testimony from Duluth,
Kansas City and other Joints
nnnnsed IN tho nronOsnd RATE cilts