Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-17
Trunk Lines Decided Against by In
terstAte Commission.

The interstate commission yesterday ir
m opinion by Commissioner Schoolmsker
decided the cases brought aginst the Trunk
lines by F. B. Thurber and others, and
Thomas l.. Greene and Francis II. Leg
gett & Co. of New York city. known As the
Carload cases." in favor of the complain
ants. The complaint was made of the toe
great difference in the rates charged on q
carload and less than q carload quantities
More than 1000 persons, and firms and
corporations doing business in various Sec
tions of the country, filed memorials vita
the commission expressing their views.
The points decided briefly stated are
Classification Of freight for transportation
purposes is in the terms recognized by the
act to regulate commerce therefor lawful.
Classification of freight designating the
different classes for carload quantities and
for less than carload quantities for trans.
poriation At lower rate in carloads than in
less than carloads, not in contravention Of
the act to regulate commerce. The cir
cumstances and conditions Of transporta-
ton in respect to work done by carriers
and revenue earned are dissmilar and may
justify reasonable difference in rate. Pub
lie interests are subserved by carload class
itications properly that, on account of the
volume transported to reach markets or
supply demands of trade throughout the
country. legitimstely or usually moves in
such quantities.
The carriers are not at liberty to classify
property as basis of transportation rates
AMI impose charges for its carriage with
exclusive regard to their own interests, but
they must respect the interests of those who
may have occasion to employ their ser
vices, and conform the charges to the rules
of the relative equality and justice which
the act prescribes. The cost of service is
an important element in fixing transporta-
ton charges and is entitled to fair con-
sideratiOns, not alone for controlling nor is
It 40 applied in the practice by the carriers,
as the value Of the service to the property
carried is an essential factor to be recog-
nized in connection with the other consid-
erations. The public interests are not to
be subordinated to those of the carriers and
require proper regard for the value Of
the service in the apportionnent of all
charges upon the traffic.
The difference in rates upon carloads and
less than carloads of the same merchandise
between the same points of carriage are so
Wiue As 10 De destructive 10 Competltl09 De-
tween large and small dealers, especially
upon articles of general and necessary use,
which under the existing conditions of
trade furnish large volume of business to
the carriers, is unjust and violates the pro-
visions and principles of the act. The diff
ference in rate for solid carload Of one
kind of freight from one consignor to one
consignee and carload of quantity from
the same point of shipment 10 the same
destination. consisting of like freight,
or freight of like character from more than
one consignor to one conslg lee, or from
one consignor to more than one consignee
is not justified in the cost of handling. Tn
der official classification are articles know
ir trade as grocery articles, so classified as
10 discrimir ate uDjustly in rates b. tween car
loads and less than carloads upon many
articles and revision or class Itication and
rates, to correct unjust differences and give
these respective mo les of shipment at more
relatively reasonable rates. is necessary
aud is ordered.