The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-30
NORTHERN RATES.
Decision by the Commerce
Commission.
SPOKANE FALLS MERCHANTS.
Many of the Contentious Put Forward
In Their Petition Sustained-In-
teresting Points Settled.
Special TO The MORNING CALL

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The Interstate
commerce Commission to-day in an opinion
py commissioner j. Knapp announced its
ueclslon IN the case OF the Merchants
ohion oil Spokane Falls against the North
efh Pacihc and Union Pacific Railway COM
panies. The points decided are briefly as
fellows:
transportation by rail from Eastern
points TO Pacific Coast terminals, Portland,
Tacoma and Seattle, is affected by the COM
peu'lon OF water carriers reaching the same
terminals. but such competition does not
aHect IKE trans portation from said points to
SPOKANE. Ii is held. therefore, that the de-
fendants were justified by reason of such
oissimilarity in tue circumstances and con-
aitlons In maintaining higher rates On ship
ments OF like property from said points for
ire shorter distance to Spokane than for the
longer distance to said Pacific terminals.
1he competitive position and attitude of the
canadian Pacific Railway. foreign carrier,
Is considered In connection with the exist
leg water competition, but the separate
eject OF competition by the Canadian route
mas not been found nor determined.
Ihe class rates in effect upon the defend
ants lines and other commodity rates TO
racine terminals were examined and dis
cnSsed. 1t Is held that the only justification
Tor through rate less than an intermediate
rnte on the same article is the compulsion
OIL the rail carriers to accept the reduced
compensation or suffer their ocean rivals to
perform the service, and where the pressure
OIL THIS alternative Is not felt there is no
ground upon which lower through change
can he excused. No article could be carried
10 terminal points at commodity rates
which. If class rates were imposed, would
stlti seek rail rather than water transporta-
ZION, and any violation of this rule is an
unjust discrimination against the interme-
date town compelled to pay a higher class
rate on the same article.
In the matter of carload and mixed car
load rates, the minimum weight of ship.
ments is entitled TO carload rates, and, IN all
other respects. the defendants are required
10 provide and allow the same privileges,
facilities and advantages on shipments TO
spokane as provided or allowed on like
shipments to Portland or other Pacific Coast
terminals.
Blanket ella SIS rates. applying upon the
Northern Pacific road for a distance of $50
niles. are found relatively unreasonable.
Ii Is also held that the rates TO Spokane,
he principal distributing center to which
Such blanket rates apply. are unreasonable
n themselves. The defendants are ordered
20 cease and desst from charging rates on
property from Eastern points to Spokane
which materially exceed 81 per cent of the
class rates now in effect, both to Spokane
and Pacific Coast terminals
PROVISIONS are made for reopening the
case IL necessary and bringing in other car
riers who may be affected.
The Northern Pacific Railroad, notwith-
standing certain provisions in its charter. is
Fubject like all other interstate carriers, 70
$ie authority conferred b. Congress Ia the
act to regulate commerce.