The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-19
THEY WOULD NOT GIVE IN.
MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD COMMISSION
AND THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL.
The Company's Strong Effort to Get a
Higher Tariff-The State Insists that
1t Shall Reduce 1t to the Schedule
Prescribed.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal
JACKSON, Miss, July 1S.-The Illinois
Central Railroad company, through their
representatives, Messrs. Fentress, Jeffrey.
Morey and others, have urged with great
energy, force and ability their claims be-
fore the railroad commission for the last
three days touching their tariff of charges
for freights. They claim that the tariff
promulgated for them by the commission,
to take effect July |, ii likewise observed
in the States Of Louisiana, Tennessee and
Kentucky, would bankrupt their com.
pany, and they take the position that they
will not discriminate in favor OF one State
or locality against another, and that the
tariff promulgated, as aforesaid, will force
them to make up by charges in Louisiana
Tennessee and kentucky, the amount
the Mississippi commission by its tariff
forces rates in Mississippi lower than rea-
sonable; that the commission has made
five reductions, and the one of July /, il
applied without discrimination in the four
States, will make anet loss OF over $3.50, 900
each year to the company. (2) That the
N
Ohio and Illinois Central railroads, which
are parallel with five conjunctive points
and active competitors from st. Louis 70
the gulf. given the Mobile & Ohio for the
same service about % per cent. over the
Illinois Central. Isl That the commits.
sion has Disseminated against the Illinois
Central and in favor OF every other road in
Mississippi.
IN art ta1 Ina la, IL. IA Il
be allowed 10 charge the same price IA
other competing roads in the State for the
same service, and that where a railroad
furnishes better quicker and safer service
II ought not, Tor that reason. be forced 10
charge lower than other roads for thesome
service; that such discrimination il in
effect offering premium for bankrupta and
lily equipped roads, and Gripping and in.
iuring flOurishing roads which furnish safe,
quick and the best of service, etc.
On the other hand the commission ina.
lily their action in the premises I'M this
They claim that the rate prescribed by
them, effective July ], is in their Judgment
just and reasonable one, and allows the
road a fair compensation; that this rate il
higher in many respects than those oper.
atcd by other roads, and that there can be
no necessity, as claimed by the Illinois
Central, TO advance the rate in
the States OF Louisiana, Kentucky
and Tennessee, in order TO make
up losses; that the rate OF July is not
lower than the rate heretofore pescribcd
by the commission and operated by the
road during the past two years; that the
company has been making money, in fact
the earnings have increased during the
operation olthe commissions rate rs gfore.
said, as shown by the quarterly returns
sworn 10 and on file in the Office OF the
commission, that there has been but one
general reduction OF rates. the other four
complained OF being OF little consequence
to the road, the commission states, that ii
is true they have given the Mobile 4 Ohio
railroad somewhat higher rate ihun~.k.
one fixed for the Illinois Central, and say
that while possibly tho Mobile & Ohio
rate Is higher than Il should be, they claim
that under tho law they are TO take into
consideration the capacity Of the roal ior
earning money, etc, in fixing the rates,
and that road which has a lesser
traffic or tonnage should have
higher rate; that having acted upon
these views tho commission saws
there is no ground for the complaint Of
any discrimination, because the Mobile x
Ohio has higher rate. It's capacity for
earning money, according 10 information,
being less than that OF the Illinois Cen
ual. The commission says that they APP
pfeciate the fact that the Illinois Central
Is entitled 10 credit for giving the public
good service, and claim that the rate fixed
Is such a one rs shows this appreciation.
The commission. however, after n very
patient hearing given the officers Of said
road during the last three days, decline
TO rccede from the rate Of July !, aud
Therefore the company put the rate rs
prescribed by the commission into effect