The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-11-30
A RATE DECISION.
Another Opinion on the Long
and Short Haul
Handed Down by the Interstate Commerce
Commission Regarding Northwest
Freight Charges.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The Interstate
Commissioner j. Knapp, announced de-
cision in the case of the Merchants union
of Spokane Falls against the Northern
Pacific Railway company and Union Pacific
Railway company. The points decided are
briefly as follows:
First-Trsnsportation by rail from east
ern points to the Pacific coast terminals,
Portland, Tacoma and Seattle Is affected
by competition of controlling force and in
respect to traffic important in the
amount of water carriers reaching
the same terminals, but such com
petition does not affect like
transportation from said points to Spo-
kane, Wash 1t is held, therefore, that
defendants were justified by reason of
such dssiniIarity in circumstances and
conditions in maintaining higher rates on
shipments of property from said points for
the shorter distance to Spokane than for
longer distance to said Pacific terminals.
The competitive position aud attitude of
the Canadian Pacific railway foreign car
rier, are considered in connection with eX-
istin0 water competition, but separate
effects of competition by the Canadian
route is not found nor determined.
Second-Class rates in effect upon de-
PENDANTS lines and other commodity rates
to Pacific terminals were examined and
discussed Held that the only justification
for through rate less than an intermedi
ate rate on the same article is the compul-
sion of rail carriers to accept reduced COM
pensation or suffer ocean rivals to perform
the service, and where the pressure of this
alternative is not felt there Is no ground
upon which lower through charge can be
excused. No article could be carried TO
terminal points at commodity rates which,
If class rates were imposed, would still
seek rail rather than water transportation
and any violation of this rule was unjust
discrimination against an intermediate
town compelled to pay higher class rate
on the same article
Third-In the matter of carload and
mixed carload rates minimum weight
shipments entitled to carload rates ana in
ell other respects defendants are required
to provide and allow the same privileges
and advantages to shipments to Spokane
as provided or allowed on like shipments
to Portland or other Pacific coast termi-
nails.
F'ourth-The blanket class rates, apply
ing upon the Northern Pacific road for
distance of over five hundred and eighty
miles, are found relatively unreasonable.
1t is also held that the rates to
OpOhaHes tuC ptlICipdA uiSttAUUtiHk
center to which such blanket rates
apply, are unreasonable in them
selves. Defendants are ordered 30 cease
and desist from charging rates on property
from eastern points to Spokane which ma
terially exceed SO per cent. of the class
rates now in effect both to Spokane and
the Pacific coast terminals. Provisions are
made for re. opening the case if necessary
and bringing in other carriers who may be
affected by the Northern Pacific railroad.
which notwiths landing certain provisions
in it's charter. is subject. like all other
interstate carriers, to the authority con-
ferred by Congress in the act to regulate
commerce.