The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-02
, CONFERENCE OF RAILROADS
=, recids What TO Do About the
orange Rate Decision.

rscids What to Do About the
~ orange Rate Decision
r-,fle Manager c. D. Owens Of the Plant
ten was seen yesterday by MORNING
- reporter in references to the recent
lion Of the interstate commercs COM
..,5g.ion in regard to the rates on oranges to
tbe north. 1919. ,r-.
>.-v-s tne commission decided IN the case
- tbs orange gro sers against the Savan-
- Florida and Western and other rail-
naaj ard steamship lines to New York aud
- uorthern markets against the
I'll, It decided that the increase
~ ne rate OF 10 cents per box made last
Wovsrnbsr was without justification aud
.,,,aasouable 20 the extent Of 5 cents per
-, and the defendants are required to re-
JUca h accordingly and 20 make reparation
- rarsoDs entitled thereto"
This il the first case where the commits
,ion has ordered restitution to be made.
Wr Owens said that no official notifica-
tion Of the action of the commission has
-sachsd him. Allowing the newspaper re-
norts 20 be correct, be considered IL a most
sxtrsordinary decision, 1t simply amounts
n the commission fixing the rate
,oon this class OF freight.
Whether the railroads will submit
tn the fixing CT the rate by the commission
awaits 70 be seen.
Nc. Owens said the lneS interested will
confer with each other and consult their
attorneys before taking any steps. The
matter may be appealed 10 the courts.
0The commission will save the railroads
great deal of trouble by fixing the rates
aid Mr.. Owens. "We have a large force
n men engaged in that work that We could
disreuss with then. In fact, the roads
would have very little use for officials, as
their most important duties are determining
the rates"
Mr.. Owens does not think the amount
which the commission calls upon the rail
roads to restore TO the shippers as an unjust
overchsrgs will bs over $50, 900 at the ont
side. This will be divided between the
Plant system. the Atlantic Coast Line. the
Pennsylvania railroad and other railroads,
and the Ocean Steamship Company, the
Clyde Steamship Company and the
Mallory Steamship Company. Mr.. Owens
says that a considerable amount
Of the crop had gone forward
When the increased rate went into effect on
Nov. -, and that OF the crop afterward
moved large portion went west. As
there was no increase in western rates the
decision win not affect the shipments in
that direction.
Mr.. Owens SAYS be is at loss to know
how the commission comes to the conclusion
that the present rate is without justihca-
ton aud unreasonable. The rate was In
creased l0cents psr box making tle rate by
steamer shipments 40 cents instead OF 80,
and by all rail shipments IS cents instead of
43 cents. The rate only few seasons ago
was 80 cents box by steamer.
When the Clyde steamship line
ran its steamers into Jacksonville, and
fn4 Ice sv.k1
oranges, the Plant system anticipated it
with cut Of 10 cents box, making the ocean
rate 40 cents, and nttsrward made a cut
Of 10 cents more. giving the lowest rate
ever known. They was no money in II 80
the railroad and steamship lines, and they
sgreed upon an Increase Of 10 cents box
How the commission finds that 8 cents of
that increase was unreasonable is something
the railroads would like TO know,
In speaking Of Mr.. Plants visit south,
Mr.. Owens said he is simply on his usual
visit ot inspection Of his railway interests
and has no special object in view, SO far as
he knows
Mir. Plant has under consideration, how.
ever, plans which have been suggested to
him for the enlargement and improvement
Of the cotton wharves aud yard:
Of the Savannah, Florida and West
ern here. These Improvements will b'
extensive and will include ware.
houses, congresses and all other facilt
ties for the QUICK handling OF cotton.
MIR. Owens said that the Savannah
Florida and Western cotton traffic
has increased so rapidly that in
creased facilities are demanded fol
its handling Last years. receipt
by the Savannah, Florida and Westerl
were the greatest 10 its history and the re
ceipts this year exceed last years to date b!
about 25, 900 bales. The new warehouse
and presses will be located about where tn
present cotton yard of the Savannah, Flor
ida andWestern is. pI divided Mr. Plant con
slders the plan favorably.