The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-29
DISCRIMINATION IN RATES.
Railroads Sometimes Justified in Favor.
ing the Exporters.

The Interstate Commerce Commission
yesterday announced its decision in a
case involving relative rates on export
and domestic traffic in grain and grain
products.
The commission holds that in the abb
sence of some justifying reasons it would
not be right for American railroads 10
permanently transact business for for
eigners at less rate than that for which
they render a corresponding service to
American citizens As to rates on ex-
port and domestic shipments of grain,
the commission decides:
Market conditions, sometimes In case
of wheat, but seldom in case of corn,
may justify an export rate through the
port of New York somewhat lower than
the domestic rate, and Philadelphia, Bal
tim0Te, Norfolk, and Newport News grad
ually take rates which are certain diff
ferentiaIs below the New York rate on
both domestic and export traffic. During
the period of closed lake navigation the
export and domestic grain rates TO New
York and the other ports mentioned
should ordinarily be the same. Rates to
other ports, including Boston and ports
on the Atlantic north of Boston and Gal
weston. New Orleans, and other gulf
port than on domestic traffic to enable
them to compete for the export business
Such an adjustment of rates would be
to the advantage OF the carrier. and
just alike 20 the American consumer ard
the American producer. But as the prob
lem is primarily one for the carrier rati.-
er than for this commission, no order is
made in relation 10 this branch OF the
case But export grain rates should not
be less TO the seaboard from any point
than from any intermediate point en- the
same line.
As to the rates on export -four as COM
pared with export wheat the commission
holds that public policy and the good rail-
way policy alike seem 10 require the same
rate on export wheat and export -four,
but in view of all the conditions SHOWN
i'm the investigation, a somewhat higher
rate on export flour than on export wheat
is rot In violation OF that status; the pub
lished difference in rates is too wide and
that the rate on -four for export should
not exceed that upon export wheat by
more than cents per 100 pounds, The re-
latiOn OF rates on domestic shipments of
Hour and wheat is not involved in this de-
cisiOn. as the export and domestic fTeights
are handled under different conditions.
II dBDFOEe lidl NdItltiN cf.HdRtQ
in the transportation OF export liOur from
Minneapolis at a rate which Is - cents
less than the domestic rate TO the port OF
export refuse 10 make any corresponding
concession TO intermediate milers. The
commission rules that this il unjust and
unlawful discrimination against such in
termediate traffic. and thai whatever line
participates In such lower export rate on
flour from Minneapolis must make cor
responding rate upon similar traffic from
intermediate points.
The commission also decides that rates
on export traffic must be published and
filed in accordance with the provisions OF
section of The interstate commerce act.
II Is further held tina; so-ealled through
export rates made by adding the ocean
rate. whatever IL may he, 10 the inland
rail- rate, whatever II may be, are not
analogous 20 joint rate made by Joint ar
rangements between railway carriers sur
ject 10 the statute Ia the sense that the
total rate must be published and fled and
il il enough IL the railway carrier pub
fishes and maintains lts own rate 10 the
seabOard. But II there Is ia fact such a
joint arrangement, that the rate f. a
joint rate under the sixth section OF the
act 10 regulate commerce, then the entire
through rate should be published, ami not
the inland division, which. IN that case
might vary while the entire rate remains
the same.