The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-17
PROJECT OF THE RAILROAD COM
MISSIONERS FEDERAL AS
WELL AS STATE.
CLASSIFICATION is CHAOTIC
AT PRESENT, THUS RESULTING IN
COMPLEX FREIGHT RATES
EVERYWHERE.
TO DEDICATE NEW DEPOT.
Party of Omaha officials Go to Eau
CIaire-COmmissiOne Regret
to Lose Col. Liggett.

The movement to secure a uniform
classification throughout the country
of all commodities carried by freight
is being pushed with great force, with
the intention of giving the railroads an
opportunity to come to an agreement
among themselves on the matter But
If this effort fails, the interstate COM
merce commission will appeal to con-
gress to pass its own laws upon the
matter All Of the railroads of the
Northwest will this week receive cir
culars anent the matter, signed by
special committee recently appointed
by the national convention of railroad
commissioners held at Washington.
The matter of uniform classification
is very serious one. and its settle
ment means much to the shipper The
railroads do not want to see a uniform
classification for different reasons, al
though railway officials admit that it
would be an excellent thing for the
public.
There are a number of different cias-
sifications in the country, and all are
at variance. Thexe are the official
classification, the Southern railway
and steamship classification, the West
others. Commodities, which are rated
In CLASS 1 in one classification, are in
Class in another, and commodities
shipped across country are subject to
a number Of different classificat1ons.
requiring the collection Of under
charges and the rebating Of over
charges at junction points, to the in
finite annoyance Of both the shipper
hn roll Il
The national convention of railway
ana warehouse commissioners referred
the matter to a special committee
which has formulated the following
recommendations in the circular which
Is pelng sent out this week to the
roads of the country:
Resolved That the national convention NJ
railroad commissioners recognizing the neces-
SHY OF uniform classification of freight in the
interests OF both the commercial public and
the railroads do respectfully recommend that
tne railroad companies of the United States
through their respective traffic associations
prepare uniform classification for adoption
Dy the interstate commerce commission the
various state railroad commissions and the
railroads themselves, and that in the event
OF the failure Of the railroad companies to
prepare and adopt such uniform classification
within reasonable time the necessary Iegis-
lation should be asked Of congress recurring
tne adoption OF a uniform classification Of
1851, anu Chat the interstate commerce
commission be charged with the duty of
preparing and enforcing such classification.
Resolved, That the interstate commerce
commission be respectfully requested to com
municate from time to time with the various
railroad interests with the view of forward
Ing the work; and that the said commission
De requested to present suitable bill to con-
gPess in the event of failure on the part
OF the railroads to prepare and adopt unit
FORM classification within a reasonable time.
Ira B. Mills,
S. r. Billings
William Kirkby
H. d. Bulkley