The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-12-25
Intarstata Daoislon.

WASHINGTON, DEC. 1.-THE In
terstate Commerce Commission to-
day announced its decision OF the case
of Lehman, HigginsOn d Co, OF
Humboldt, Kas, against the Texas
Pacific and Missouri, Kansas q Texas
Railway companies in favor OF COM
plainants. The points decided are
hereby as follows: Several railway
companies forming q continuous
through line carried sugar to Kansas
City, the terminal point, at 3O-cent
rate, and for the same rate to Par
sons, Kan, an intermediate point, and
TO Humboldt, q point on q branch
line. more distant than the interme-
diate point, and to Humboldt,
point on a branch line, more distant
than the intermediate but less dis
tant than the terminal point, they
maintain rate of forty-two cents on
sugar; held that the roads might
lawfully maintain the same rate at
the intermediate and terminal points,
and lme higher rate might be main
tanned to the branch line point, off
the direct through line, without UNI
lust discrimination; also held that as
to the branch line point the COM
plainant was entitled to q refund OF
the amount paid in excess OF the rea-
sonable rate. The commission orders
that the rate to Humboldt should not
exceed SO cents per 100 pounds, and
that the carriers should refund 10
compIainants $65,62 as excessive
charges paid on three car loads OF
sugar.
The above late decision Of the In
terstate Commerce Commission fully
sustains the position we have taken
in our articles heretofore in regard to
the ''long and short haul" clause, oil
the law, and fits, like glove, Column
bias case. It declares the law to be,
that the exports of Columbia going
South shall not be charged on higher
rate than is paid by Nashville. 1t
declares that on all imports from the
South we are entitled to Nashville
rates. 1t further declares that all
imports coming from the North,
West or East, we are entitled to rea-
sonable rates in proportion to those
given Nashville; and same is true Of
all exports, going North, West or
East.
The decision quoted above goes be-
Yond the position we have taken, and
declares that for all excessive rates
paid heretofore by our merchants
and shippers, the Excessive charges"
shall be refunded.
In view of the above decision it
seems superfiuous to add another
WORD to the subject. 1t is action,
now, that is demanded, and We urge
the President of the business men
association to call a meeting of the
association say, on the night OF the
3Oth OF December, to meet at the
court house, and then and there APP
point committees to collect the
proper evidence and facts, showing
the "excessive charges" levied on our
people, in every branch of commerce,
and prepare a petition to the Inter-
state Commission, setting forth all
the facts of which we complain, and
to prefer them, as "charges" before
| the Interstate COmmissio n against
the Louisville & Nashville railroad,
and against the Nashville & Chatta-
noOga railroad. Do this promptly
and vigorously and our cause is prac-
tically won, and our town and county
will quickly move onward in pros
perity. If you neglect to assert your
rights, you deserve to be "hewers OF
word and drawers of water" for the
railroad corporation; you deserve to
pay cents too much per bushel on
every bushel of coal you consume;
% cents too much on every barrel Of
-four you buy. The future prosperity
Of your town is in your hands. The
commerce of the surrounding coun-
try, amounting to many millions an
nually, invites you to activity, and
tempts you to reach out your hand
and share in its management. 1t
lies at our door-and yet we are de-
barred by excessive charges" from
reaping any part of the golden re-
ward. Action-quick, prompt and
vigorous-will secure you your rights
We now leave the question with
the people of the county and the bust
ness men of Columbia.