The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-05
onsideration was filed with thIs eommis-

consideration was filed with this eommis- sion.
 This petition calling for a larger and wider consideration, and it's scope embrae- ing discussion of the questions involved in the case of the railroad commission Of Alabama against the several railroad companies in the state, by consent of all parties concerned, the hearing upon both questions was set down for one and the same time, namely, June IS, 1903. In the case of the commission against the rail- road companies an order has been made reducing the rates in Alabama upon hay, grain, four and all of the products of grain, constituting classes c, D and + in the freight classification of the various railroads, peas having been placed in class D; also fixing very low rate on home raised syrup and potatoes; and adopting a general rule providing for reduction of 10 per cent from the sum of two locals These orders will result in large and sub stantial savings annually In freight charges to the people of Alabama, and will also stimulate the home production of the commodities embraced in these classes in this way promote the agricul- tural development of the state; and thus increase the traffic in these articles to such an extent that the increased busi- ness vii supply additional tonnage, and thus compensate the railroads affected by the reduced rates.
 Further Reductions Not Justified. Having made these reductions In the freight tariffs upon the necessities of life, where 1t seemed to the commission that any reduction should first be made, this commission is not of the opinion that 1t would be Justified in making further re- auctions in freight charges at this time, and in granting the petition of complain ants to establish in Alabama the Georgia classification as to commodities, and the freight tariffs which exist in that state, believing that to do so would prevent the several railroad companies in this state from earning "a fair and just return" ac- cording to the requirements of the law. creating this commission.
 As to that portion of the petition which requests that reasonable joint rates be es- tablished between boats plying the Ten- nessee river and railroads which connect with them on shipment within this state, 1t Is clear that the commission has no jurisdiction in the premises. The act cre- ating this commission, and from which it derives it's powers, vests 1t with no authority whatever over rivers and boats. Jurisdiction is confined exclusively to rail- roads.
 For the reasons above set forth the commission denies the petition of com- plainants, and 1t is ordered that the same be and Is hereby dismissed, without costs.
 JOHN V. SMITH,
 President.
 ". c. TUNsTALL.
 ". T. SANDERS, Associate Commissioners Railroad Com
 mission of Alabama.
 Done at office in Montgomery this 3rd day of July, 1903.
 Appendix A.
 A G. s. is Alabama Great Southern railroad company: Cen. of Ga. is Central of Georgia Railway company; East and w. is East and West Railroad company; Frisco Is Frisco System-Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham railroad; M. and o. Is Mobile and Ohio Railroad com pany; M. J. and K. C. is Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad company; N. C. and St. L. Is Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway company; At. Cst. L. Is Atlantic Coast Line railway; s. A. L. is Seaboard Air Line railway; South ern is Southern Railway company; Chat. Sou. Is Chattanooga Southern Railroad company L. and N. is Louisville and Nashville Railroad company; Westn. Is Western Railway of Alabama; N. of Ala. is Northern of Alabama Railway com pany; M. and B. is Mobile and Blrming ham division of Southern Railway com papy; c. Sht. L, is Carrolton Short Line Railway company; B. and At. is Birming- ham and Atlantic Railroad company; Un. s. and N. Is Union Springs and Northern railway; prox. is approNmately; def. is deficit.