Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-09-28
RATES OF FREIGHT
To Be Fixed by Me State Board OF Rail-
road Commissioners in Thirty
Days.
An Interview with Gen. Gordon Regard
ing the Progress Already Made
and the Prospect.

Meeting Gen. G.. w. Gordon, IL OF the
railroad commissioners, Oh the street yes
terday, an APPEAL reporter requested 10 he
informed of anything the commission had
been doing or that they contemplated, that
would be,of interest to the public.
Gen. Gordon expressed himself as per-
fectly willing to answe any questions that
might be asked him, and to give any in
formation in his power, but said that at
the moment he could not speak except IN
a general way hat there were twenty or
more railroads in the State, all branches
included, which necessarily made their
work somewhat complex.
"What were the first steps taken by the
commission ?" was asked.
"Immediately after its organization, the
latter part of April, it began the study OF
the question of transportation, was the
reply.
I'm what manner was that done?'
"They sought information on the sub
iect from all available sources-from off
| cials OF the railroads, from shippers, from
the reports OF the commissions of other
states. and from textbooks on the sub
ject. In Il word their first effort was to
post themselves as fully as possible before
being called on to act"
"Did the commission find themselves
called upon to settle any number OF griev-
ances?"
Eyes, during the time we were inyesti-
eating numerous complaints had been
made by the public to the commission,
chiefly upon the rates OF transportation on
fruits and vegetables shipped to Northern
markets, upon coal, grain, cotton and
-four"
What was the exact nature OF these
complaints
"Most OF them were for a too high rate
on the through freighter' on these articles
but some were for discrimination"
"In what manner did the commission
pursue their investigation ?"
''They endeavored to adjust the com
plants by visiting the managers OF thu
roads, and in some instances obtained
from some of them important reductions
particularly in the rates upon fruits ano
vegetables of the first and second classes
the result of which would be more full,
felt by the shippers during the next sea
SON."
will there be any changes of note tn
coming season in freight rates, yo'
think? 2"
"The roads nave promised to publis
new maximum rates within the next ley
weeks so that shippers can see the rat
above which the roads will not charg
during the season of 1884. Important re
ulltlIOIS lldNt aNiSO btNAl bAfAc1iAfC" VI hC'h
of the roads on the rates upon coal, an
they are considering the question OF IT
r ducing the rates on other articles con
/. planned of"
= "And as to local rates ?"
"On the subject of local rates, the con
mission is at work on a basis for a stan.
ard tariff and when completed, whic
!, will perhaps be done in thirty days, the
! will proceed to revise the local tariff OF tn
roads in the manne prescribed by I'll
law, under which they are acting"
= "WiH the tariff you speak OF be likely
/. be of any great benefit to shippers? ?"
81 think so, decidedly. The people
. some localities are getting impatient an
calling on the commission to act. Blu
o. is Il question OF much magnitude al
many complications and requires tim
% care, study and particularly if we wOul
do Justice to all concerned. And dcsirin
to do this, we are perhaps moving IN
way that may appear slow to the peop!i
]. but we hope that they Will be patient Il
a little while longer"
SIN what spirit have the railroads m
{ the commission in the official int
yieYs?"
= "They have been received by the ma
Z ayers and officers of the roads with IN
: form courtesy and consideration, and Il
the most part they have acted prompt
!. ON those matters to which the commissic
called their attention. In some cases Tho
showed the commission that certain cor
h plants had been made by slippc
, through mistake or misrepresentation, NJ
4, in the admitted the facts complained
to be true, but maintained that they cou
not reasonably be otherwise"
"Have any suits against the railroads y
been instituted by the commission p
>. "No; and | hope the commission ".
be able to discharge It's duty to the publ
&c without the expense and irritation OF la
suits with the roads, but we will not hes
e tate to bring suits whenever it appea
IL necessary 10 enforce the law under whiC
we are acting. hope, however, that SUE
le necessity will not arise"