The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-28
y. Axp o,s POSITION.

Wants Interstate COlnmiastOn to EN-
force the Published Tariffs.
Messrs. Cowen and Murray, receivers
Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. have
addressed the subioined letter to the inter-
Etate commission, which is seif-explana-
| tory. AS indicated in their communication,
| they propose to adhere to the published
tariffs flied with the commlsssen, ana
| urge all the roads interested and operaun4
within the teral.ory north OF the Chic
| river and east OF the Mississippi river
| to Join them In seeing that tine law. -
j lived up to. just as anxious, nowevel,
as they are to be fair. just so watchfui
will they be looking out for violations
1 of the law, and they invite Information
/ and pledge themselves to place the mat
4 ter before the interstate commerce com
mission for correction. This agreement 70
| to 20 into effect arter January |, lssy:
| Hon. Martin A. Knapp, Chairman inter
/ state Commerce Commission, Washing
/ ton, D. C.
Dear Sir: Within the territory nortn
Of the Ohio river and east Of the MIS-
sissippi the railroad carriers are trans
\ porting the larger part Of the interstate
4 traffic at rates less than those shown on
the published tariffs filed with your com
mission which are by statute the onAy
lawful rates. g..
"WhaIe this condition continues there
will exist the unjust DETERMINATIONS and
the unjust preferences and advantages
between persons, localities and parttcu-
lar descriptions Of traffic. the prevention
of which Is the main object Of the act
of congress establishing your commission.
Only by securing the uniform charslns
Of the published rates can the Just equal
ity Of service aud of charge required by
y law be secured either between persons OF
. edween localities.
"Heretofore the Baltimore and Ohio
> Railroad company and its competitors
, Within The territory above mentioned
Ihaye maintained Joint agencies or asso-
!. Citations under various agreements inusnatn
J to act as a restraint upon each CARVER
r and to prevent the secret cutting OF rates
: on competitive traffic. 1t has been the
nracttce for each carrier to report TO tht
| iont agency or association any oepaItur'
from published rates by competing car
rler. TO the end that the facts might d
fully ascertatned and the unfair compe'i
ton stopped. ,,,,
has now finally determined that the SO
called antl-trist act applies to railio.'
carriers. and In legal effect prohibits an
agreement between them which restra
competition In any degree, even ,nous
such agreement goes no further 0nah
secure the observance or the res'Haihps I'M
/, therefore no longer lawful for the car
r,ier, TO create by agreements betwee
!. them Joint agencies or associations as foi
merlv "a prevent the cutting OF rate
z. however unlawful. Without some impal
tsal body to Investigate the complaints
e. one competing carrier against anotner an
|. to check illegal rate cntting " lounn
!. exist It will be practically amPoes,ple -, -
q. the railroad carrier alone 30 prevent Gu
sorm OF competition between them nov
4 ever earnest the great majority OF the ca
=. rers may be to stop H.
o: ..The interstate commerce commlsSis
"a not only commands the respect OF Y
rai,road carriers for Its innpsrtialty. o
also in It's powers to inVesrleae uol
: n,nints of Illegal rate cutting ana 10 p
= stnn 40 ali illegal practices far surpass
80 .,ssociatiou which tn carriers ma
ever created by agreements between rnet
n selves. 80, a.. ,,,mm,ss,
n mould refuse It's aid to the carriers
ris an affortt TO prevent competition from "a
ew lag the form OF illegal concessions rnr0u
a. secret rates drawDachs' assan w
-, -. other devices, and We see no reason
II, carrisrr should not seek the aid Q, :
10: ccmrissinn In such avn effort BY reporN
e., m t,Ae commission any departure from ~
ME ,,.hsd rates. to the end that aIhe facts ~
" " he fully ascertained and the iiiess' Pr
*, tace stopped. p.,,,rnrA a
On, "rhe receivers OF the balumoTe
or Ohio Railroad company w.li nlaaI ~ a'ii Il,
al and after January I, 1852 upon the AZ
operated hy them the rates. iarss
charges shown on the tariffs puoM<4
r. and filed with the commission 40
he quired by law ~, ~
~ I'VE believe that all or nearly en- o.
~ RAILROAD carriers withsn me terlle
~. above mentioned will likewise ne
fiji their published tariff rates rom oa as. :
st. To prevent relapse. however. 70 sns =
Az dltions now existing, II y Necessary 4.
la. IA 80 imporpant carrier shall long nepar. y
:, ne published tariff Of rates. Snouia :
en- ! annarture occur TO the detrment o.
W. interests in our chsrxe we snail 'nv W. !,
W. IA ~ the commission TO stop u. We
u. ana believe that many other carIleIs
~ 40 the same. In the anticiA non .p ~ !.
AZ y: o.her railroad carriers formerly az = =
III. Win the Baltimore and Ohio hai'rosu =
md. many in traffic associations wiii auop'
dee co,,rse decided on by US AND aoo,e
y. lined. we have taken the hper.y y,
nr. mittips to each such carrier c'p' =
use. letter 80. xours
Mss uu'y' "John K cowen'
Hill ssOGcar G. Mdrray'