The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-30
Decision of the Interstate Commerce
Commission Affecting the
Washington City.
circumstances That Enter Into
the Making Of Rate
Sheet.
Tho Northern Pacific Is Like Other Com
panies in Its Amenability to the
Interstate Act.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The interstate
| commerce commission, in an opinion by
Com missioner j. Knapp announced de-
cision in the case Of the Merchants union,
of Spokane Falls. against the Northern Pa
ciic Railroad company and the Union Pa
ciio Railway company. The points de-
cided are briefly as follows: First. Trans
portation by rail from eastern points to
Pacific const terminals, Portland, Tacoma
and Seattle, is affected by the competition
Of the controlling force, and in respect to
traffic important in the amount of water
carriers reaching the same terminals, but
such competition does not affect like trans
portation from said points to Spokane,
Wash. Held, therefore, that defendants
we're justified, by reason of such dssimi-
larity in circumstances and conditions, in
maintaining higher rates on shipments of
like property from said points for shorter
distance to Spokane than for longer dis
tance to said Pacific terminals. The COM
petitive position and attitude of the Can
adian Pacific railway, a foreign carrier. is
considered in connection with existing wa
ter competition. But the separate effect of
competition by the Canadian route was not
found nor determined.
Second. Class rates in effect upon defend
ants lines, and other commodity rates to
Pacific terminals. we're examined and dis
cussed. Held, that the only justification
for through rate less than an intermediate
rate on the same article is the compulsion
of rail carriers to accept reduced compen-
sation or suffer ocean rivals to perform the
service, and where the pressure of this al
tentative is not felt there is no ground upon
which a lower through charge can be ex-
cused. No article could be carried to ter
minal points Mt commodity rates. which, il
class rates were imposed, would still seel
rail rather than water transportation, and
any violation of this rule il unjust discrim
inaton against the intermediate town COM
PEELED to pay higher class rate on the same
article
Third. In the matter of carload anG
mixed carload rates. minimum weight ship
ments are entitled to carload rates, and il
all other respects defendants arc required
to provide and allow the same privileges
facilities and advantages on shipments tc
} Spokane as provided or allowed on like
shipments to Portland or other Pacific
coast terminals.
Fourth. Blanket class rates, applying
upon the Northern Pacific road for Il dis
} tance of over ESQ miles are found relatively
unreasonable. Also held, that rates to Spo
kane, the principal distributing center ts
which such blanket rates apply, are un-
, reasonable in themselves. Defendants ar,
ordered to cease and desist from charging
rates on property from eastern points tt
Spokane which materially exceed 81 pei
cent of the class rates now in effect, both t.
Spokane and Pacific coast terminals. Pro
visions are made for reopening the case i
|
who may be affected by it.
The Northern Pacific railroad. notwith
standing certain provisions in its charter
is subject like all other interstate carriers
to the authority conferred by congress il
the act to regulate commerce.