The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-14
FREIGHT RATES TO Be CUT QUARTER

fair rate OF interest upon their real value and
leglumate cost. The statements made and the
testimony taken during this investigation, by
those connected with the company, concern
ing the sale OF bonds, cost of moving freight
an9 otner expenditures, were indefinite, un-
satisfactory and evasive, but from the informa-
tlon SO obtained am of the opinion that a re-
uucuon OF 20 per cent, inclusive of the reduc-
IlOns s made since the 1st day OF December,
1874 Will not be un just oppressive. For
great many years the shippers of this State, not
only the farmers, but shippers of merchandise
10 the interior, have been subjected TO system
ol eAactlon and eXtorton which has been the
SUBJECT OF constant complaint As | under
stand Commissioner Stanton's resolution it is
an average reduction of freight rates Oh all
classes of freight of 25 per cent. 1t seems TO
me that fairness to the railrosd company justi-
nes THIS reduction, and justice 10 the oppressed
1relght-payerS OF this State imperatIvely de-
mands it.
A constant threat has been made to this and
other commissions as a board and through the
publlc press that If ever reductions were made
which were not satisfactory TO the railroad
company our action would be reviewed IN
the courts. OF course we cannot anticipate
what the action of the courts may be, but we
can al least put the machinery of this comm1s-
sion in motion, to the end that the intention
OF those who framed the constitution and of
the people of this State who adopted it may be
carried into effect.
Satisfied as am now that such reductions
are legal and just, shall, Notwithstanding my
present vote, always hold myself in readiness
TO change or restore any rate which change of
circumstances or further evidence may con-
vince me is unjust TO the railroad company. L
fully realize the fact that we owe not only
duty to the people but to the corporation itself,
and stand prepared TO perform mine to either
party whenever the occasion should justify 1t.
l therefore announce that upon DR.. Stanton's
resolution for reduction of % per cent
shall vote "aye," and 1 trust that we may
shortly be a Bile to prepare schedule and put
these rates in force.
The reading completed, Clark promptly
showed that he was opposed to the 70 per
cent reduction. He said:
cannot support the resolution, while 1
might vote for ii after thorough 1nyestlga-
ton. l cannot and will not commit myself
now. I have been told by competent attorneys
that such decisions as these have been re-
versed because the railroads had not been no.
titled of the contemplated reduction. The
right way and best way is to give the railroad
company chance TO come before this board.
La Rue-They have had hearing.
Clark-Yes, but only in grain rates. They
should now be heard on other matters l was
nominated on a platform that only pledged me
TO do my honest duty. l shall do my duty
whatever the criticism OF others or the press
may be. l shall vote honestly. If the Demo
cratic party has pledged its members that is
schedule presented as | think proper. |
not elected TO come here and curse and rail at
the railroad and to help tear up and destroy
its property. l do not believe that any member
of this board can honestly say that a % per
cent reduction is fair to the railroad company
1t is matter with some of the members of this
commission between breaking q pledge and
making this reduction.
SUanton-I believe that these reductions can
honestly be made. When we make any rates
that are unjust then it is proper to make such
a suggestion as has been stated. If we make
unjust rates the railroad representatives can
come here and make proper representations
and we will hear them. The pledge OF the
Democratic party is just-but We are not here
to discuss politics.
La Rue-The question is on the adoption of
Commissioner StantOn's amendment.
Clark want to state again TO pat myself
right that l will only vote on rates that be-
HeVe to be fair.
La Rue-Commissioner Stanton and l have
stated the same things.
Clark-You ought TO be sure before you do
anything, and l think you should not lower
the rates to this extent.
The question was then put to the vote,
and was adopted by the votes of LA Rue
and Stanton, Clark voting no. Thexhair-
man announced that the question waslaext
on the adoption of the amended Stanton
substitute as a whole, reading as follows:
Resolved, That the present rate OF charges
for the transportation OF freights in California
by the Southern Pacific Company and its sleased
lines are unjust to the shippers OF the State;
therefore, be it
ResoIUed, That the present rate of charges for
the transportation OF freights in California by
the Southern Pacific Company and its leased
lines De SuDlecteQ 10 Sucn an average reduction
as including such reductions made therein
since December l, 1894, shall equal an average
OF % per cent reduction upon said rates as in
existence on said December l. 1894
That the manner of apportionment aud eff
fecting said reduction shall be as follows:
l. All determinations in freight charges
shall be so adjusted as TO make rates uniform
between dltferent points OF shipments simi-
larly situated in so far circumstances will
permit. ANY reduction in rate made for this
purpose shall be charged against the class to
which the commodity or article belongs.
2. Each class of freight specified by the
Western classification or for which a commod-
ity tariff exists shall be entitled to and re-
ceive its pro rata of 25 per cent reduction de-
enue paid by it to the total amount of said re-
ductiOn. Provided that the rate of freight in
each class is regulated so as to prevent dis
ordinations in rates on classes or commodi-
ties, said pro rata shall be fixed by the board.
ResolUed, That the grain tariff having been,
since the first day of December, 1894, sub
iected 10 a reduction which, inclusive of the
amount to be charged against it for discrimi-
nation, and the percentage hereinbefore al
lowed will nearly or fully equal the proportion
OF such average reduction. Therefore, be it
Res0tUed That the rates at present existing
for the transportation of grain in California by
the Southern Pacific Company and its leased
lines, as established by grain tariff and all
subsequent amendments thereto be and the
same are hereby reduced s per cent, and the
secretary of this board is hereby directed forth
with to prepare for publication by this board
and when so prepared the same shall be pub
Ilshed at once and take effect as soon there
after as allowed by law, and that on the adop-
ton of the revised general freight tariff of said
company herein provided for, any further per
cent reduction due said grain tariff as provided
herein shall be given.
ResOlUed, That this board proceed at its
earliest convenience to adopt q revised
schedule of rates in accordance herewith, in
order that the same may be in force on or be-
fore January l, 1896; and be it further
ResotUed, That If the necessities of the case so
require, this board will at once proceed to the
ascertainment of the proportion of reduction
due any commodity which, by reason OF its
nature, requires to be moved between now and
the time herein fixed of the taking of said gen.
eral reduction.
This seemed to be a surprise to Clark and
he showed considerable ire when he spoke,
saying:
This resolution that you Just voted on. Mr.
chairman, was not proper one. Yours was
on grain rates alone. This takes in everything.
La Rue-We will now take up the matter as
q whole.
Clark voted for one part of this and
against the other. | shall refuse to vote on
the proposition a whole. How can split
my vote? How can vote on the whole when
favor one part and am opposed to the other
40 not want to vote against the per cent
Ieduc1oD on grain, which shall have to do if
vote on the matter as whole.
La Rue-You cannot be compelled to vote
(lark-If that is 7