The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-19
RAIL RATES IN DIXIE.
The Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion's Hearing.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.-The interstate
commerce commission to-day began hear
ing in the matter Of the tariffs and classifi-
cations of railroads south of the Potomac
and Ohio rivers, associated under the name
of the Southern Railway aud Steamship
Association. The order for the appearance
of representatives of these roads was
issued by the commission Oct. 22, 1888.
1t recites the objects of the bearing to be a
al examination and investigation of
their tariffs and classifcations as on file in
the office of the commission, and as in use
upon their lines, respectively. to the end
that an opportunity may be then and there
given to said common carriers to be heard
concerning the same, and in respect to the
method of constructing interstate rates as
practiced upon said lines respectively, or in
connection with other lines, and that any
changes may be made which slall be found
necessary and proper in order to bring said
tariffs and classifications, and the manner
of transacting the business hereunder, into
more complete conformity with the provis-
ions of the act to regulate commerce.
BASIS OF THE ORDER.
The basis of the order is set forth, in
part, to be information and complaints re-
celved from time to time that the carriers
named in the order, in many cases, make
greater charge for the transportation of
like kind of property for shorter than for
a longer distance. That the disparity be-
tween the charges made at differen points
over the same line is in some instances ap-
parently very great, as related to the dis
tance; there is reason to believe that the re-
quiremen of section 6 of the interstate
commerce act are not in some instances COM
piled with; that the rates actually charged
are not given upon their published
schedule, but that special and combination
rates are made and that the tariff and
classifications in other respects do not ap-
pear to conform to the requirements Of the
act
Representatives Of nearly all the roads
were present.
CHAIRMAN CooLEY'S STATEMENT.
Chairman Cooley, in opening the hearing,
said:
We have not asked you to come here because
there any charges against you. but we have
asked you to come here TO consider with US your
manner Of making rates; to consider the extent
to which exceptions to the general rule OF the
fourth section of the act prevail on your re-
spective roads and to consider the reasons APP
plying to particular cases, and why these cases
are deemed justifable under the law.
Edmund Fitzgerald, general traffic man
ager of the East Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia railway, was called and testified as
to the methods of constructing rates on his
road between Memphis and the west, and
between Chattanooga and the east. He ex-
planned wherein exceptions to the general
rule have been made and why.
Sol Haas, traffic manager OF the Rich
mond and Dauville railroad. explained
changes in the rates which have been
made during the last year. Generally
speaking the rates have remained
substantially the same In some
cases there have been slight reductions and
in others slight advances. Export rates, he
explained, change sometimes daily to meet
changes in ocean rates.
w. +. Shellnan, of the Central Railroad
Of Georgia, rendered prepared argument
in favor Of liberal Interpretation by the
commission of the fourth section of the act.
He also explained TO the commission the
manner Of making export rates.