, 1935-01-27
FREIGHT FIGHT


AAMA&W KA4AAAAAANAN@
broker and shipper and widely
known In south Texas as mn au-
thority ON railway traffic matters
Hall explained that the old Robs-
town differentinl rate was placed
on shipments into and out OF the
Valley In the early days shortly af-
ter the old st. Louis. Brownsville a.
Mexico. now the Missouri Pacific.
built into the Valley In 1904. IL was
a Surcharge because OF the long,
profitless haul between the Valley
and Robst0wn, at that time the
nearest station. The differential
rate, as a differential and IA sur
charge, was removed and taken from
railway tariffs ON September 10.
1884. In accordance with rulings OF
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. q verdict In what was known
as Southwestern Rate Case, Dock
ct 1855, effecting its removal after
the commission had been consider
ing II for eight years.
Rates Increased
At the same time, however. the
commission granted the two rail-
ways, Southern Pacific and Missouri
Pacific, permission TO increase their
rates. All rates on Valley produce
were changed excepting those APP
plying 20 cabbage and potatoes. while
the freight cl~aSsifications on root
vegetables were changed 50 as TO in
crease the freight charges. In some
instances. ms much rs $50 20 SOS
per car.
Hall declared that the commission
merely gave the railways permis-
sion TO increase the rates: applica-
ton or the increased rates was not
compulsory and the carriers made
the increases OF their own volition.
Concerning present rates. Hall
said California boasted lower freight
rates than Texas into competitive
markets despite the fact that Tex
as is $500 miles nearer those mar
ketS. The California rate. for in
stance, is $3.50 per hundred TO Bos-
ton and other eastern markets.
while the Valleys rate on the same
commodity to the same markets rs
S1.66 per hundred. Concerning
broccoli, a crop now being grown
extensively In the Valley, Hall said
California had protested the billing
rate from Texas and had secured
an increase rate for Texas ship
ments. The increase, plus the Sep
TENDER. 1884, general increase, has
increased Valley rates on broccoli
nearly 100 per cent. according to
Hall.
He pointed out the various VAL
ley shippers organizations had
fought the railways but that they
had been kept on the defensive by
the carriers and that they had been
losing money for the past few sea-
sons and could not finance the
proper fight against the rate in
crease. Hall estimated that the rate
increase since September had cost
the Valley S175.000 20 100000 Ia
"exhorbitant and discriminatory"
freight charges.
Can Whip Them"
Hall declared the railroads knew
the shippers did not have money to
continue their opposition. but that
IF every grower and merchant will
contribute a dollar TO a rate fight,
you q whip the railroads ears off
\. An fact, If you show enough
money TO 60 TO the bat. the railroads
will be coming TO YOU"
Some officials present questioned
the legal ability OF the water dis
tricts 70 spend tax money for such
O purpose. but all agreed To support
the movement In whatever manner
possible.
Apparently expressing the senti-
ment OF a number OF district off,
Gals. @. L. Hunter. OF Cameron
County Water Control a. improve
ment district No. 5. SAID he object
ed TO O proposal that the water dis
tricts shoulder all expense OF the
fight. because "over so per cent OF
the people benefited do not pay
water district taxes" He, with sew
eral others. advocated an arrange
ment whereby the several counties
interested IN the fight might pro-
vide funds for whatever campaign is
needed.
r. Roy Ruff Of Brownsville, pres
ident OF the Lower Rio Grande VAL
ley Vegetable Growers association.
briefly outlined n campaign under
taken BY his organization In oppo-
sition 10 present freight rates. "A
committee Of three men. one repre-
senting each OF the three Valley
vegetable -producing counties, will
take d petition to Washington asking
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion for relief. The petition win
bear 10000 signatures. I'VE pro-
pose Ruff said. ITO present our
complaint without too much techni-
cal information because We believe
the commission, like any other high
court. VIII give us justice. we will
give the commission a straight state
ment OF facts and let them Judge
the case"
Homer p. Huntley. secretary OF
the growers association. said his
organization would divide its efforts
along two chief lines. one an attack
upon the Robstown d%ifferential I'll
self and the other upon the increas-
ed vegetable rates effective last
September.
Moulton Cobb. editor or the Mer-
cedes News-Trlbune. suggested that
Congressman Milton West be invit-
cd TO come to the Valley and as
sist in organizing the fight against
tne increased rates. A motion in
fiting him 70 come 10 the Valley was
sanled for consideration BY the
Valley-wide committee.
j. r. Adams Of La Feria finally