The age-herald., 1900-03-24
TRAFFIC MANAGERS
 REPLY TO CHARGES
Continued from Fifth Page.)


 -----------~ operating in a sparsely populated part of the state or dependent principally on traf- fic having origin or destination on its line to earn reasonable return on the invest ment, such rates would possibly be too high when applied to rates on roads tra- versing populous parts of the state where the freight and passenger traffic might be large in volume, where the lines have a heavy through traffic. The same condi- tlons which exist in Alabama also govern in other states"
 Taking up the charge that the rate on hay in less than car load lots was too high, as compared with the grain tariff, mana gers state that the matter had not pre- viously been called to their attention, and add that "The roads, while not believing that the present rates are too high, will make the experiment of reducing the rate on hay, less than car load by adopting rates 50 per cent higher than class D."
 No reduction in the rate on salt, less than car loads Is granted.
 Grain Rates
 With reference to rates on grain from western points to Birmingham it is stated that '"The rates from the vast to Birming- ham on grain and all other articles are ad- justed on a very liberal basis The present rates to Birmingham have been the subject of complaint before the interstate com merce commission as being in many cases lower than to other points in the same ter ritory, the distances to which are less. They are in many cases lower, and In no case higher than the rates to Montgomery, which point has the benefit of active water conn petition. They are lower than the rates to Atlanta and other points which distri- bute in the same territory"
 with respect to the rates on cotton charged generally in the state,' say the tariff men, "it is submitted that they are not unrpaSOnahlV hiph When the volume of the traffic is considered, the limited rev. enue derived by the carriers in Alabama from interstate traffic moved within the state. the value of the service to the peo- pie they serve, and all the other conditions surrounding the traffic, the rates are very reasonable Then follows table showing the rates charged on cotton in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas and Georgia for distances ranging from to 210 miles.
 Continuing, the traffic men say: "As far as we can see Birmingham Is in position to compete successfully with all her rival towns. If, however, we can be shown in- stances where the rates to or from Birm- ingham are not adjusted on a fair relative basis as compared with those competing towns. we shall be most happy to make proper corrections. We do not deny that there may be now and then an occasional inequality in our rates, and it would be remarkable if in all the complex minutes of rate details an error did not sometimes slip in, but we are always glad to correct it whenever called to our attention.
 Only Justification
 "If there Is no discrimination against Birmingham or other commercial centers in Alabama in the territory naturally tributa- ry to such commercial centers. then the only justification for a reduction in the rates locally in Alabama would be on the ground that the earnings of the railroads in : Alabama were. on a basis that would yield more than a reasonable return on the in- vestment. It Is not believed that any one familiar with the condition of the trans portation lines in Alabama will make this claim.
 Tt may not be amiss to refer to the im- portant part railroads have taken in the development of the mineral and agricultu- ral resources of Alabama. They have un- questionably been the most important fac tor in it's development. The commercial in- terests of Birmingham and its immediate vicinity have been the greatest benefica- ries of the investments made by the various railroads in the state. So far the railroads have not secured any adequate return from these investments. The capital has been invested in the expectation that the rail- road properties would be given fair treat ment and permitted to earn reasonable return on such investment and it is confi- dently hoped that the Birmingham Com mercial association will not lend it's sup port to any legislative enactments which shall have the effect of destroying the value of railroad properties in the state of Ala bama and retarding the building of new roads which are needed to reach the un- developed territory of the state."
 The report is signed by A. w. Graham, traffic manager of the Louisville and Nash vile Railroad company; E. H. Hinton, traffic manager of the Central of Georgia Railway company: R. E. Lutz, traffic man. ager of the Western Railway of Alabama J. NJ. Culp, traffic manager of the Southern railway.