Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-07
Iowa Railway Commissioners
Order Change In Classifica-
ton of Empty Barrels
ONE HALF FOURTH CLASS RATES
Hearing Tuesday Results in Reduction
of Rates Half on Oil Barrels
When Being Returned to Point of
shipment-other Concessions Asked
Not Ruled on.

Des Moines, May 1.-THE board OF
railway commissioners yesterday an
nounced a number of changes in its
classification of freights, in accordance
with the demands of shippers made at
the hearing Tuesday. The changes will
become effective May 26.
the rates on cider barrels, oil barrels
and vinegar barrels when empty and
returned. Heretofore these have been
carried at fourth-class rates. The
commission has ordered them to be car
ried at one-half fourth class rates
Tuesday it was shown by the oil
companies represented at the hearing.
that ale, beer, mineral water and
porter barrels We're allowed one-half
fourth class rates when being returned
for refilling. The railway companies
represented objected to the one-half
fourth class rates being given, on the
ground that it was too low that cider
and vinegar barrels took fourth-clas
rate when being returned, and We're less
objectionable as freight than the oil
barrels, and that the one-half fourth
class rate on the barrels referred to
by the oil shippers had always been re-
garded as too low by many of the rail-
way companies.
On the subject of oil barrels, OBJ
lection was made to the rate asked
for on the ground that 1t was lower
than the rate granted anywhere in the
west by railway companies; that 1t
would have the effect of reducing the
rate all over the west without any
benefit to the consumer. and that the
railway companies revenue should not
be reduced without some benefit ac-
cruing to the consumers. Consider
able argument was offered on both
sides of this proposition.
The railroad commission has not an
nounced it's ruling on this subject. 1t
would not be surprising, however, If the
demands of the oil shippers would be
acceded to, and reduction made. 1t is
known the shippers made a strong ar
before the commission. They
out among other things that
unless the rate OH Oh III peiieiS was
lowered, competition with the Stand
ard Oil company, which uses the tank
system, was almost impossible.
The commission made the reduction
desired by the shippers on castor oil
in barrels, for lubricating purposes.
This was reduced from third-class to
in less than carload lots and
from fourth class to third In car lots.
Reductions or changes asked for
nave been made on cereal products, not
otherwise specified, in boxes or bar
cels, which were classified as fourth
class in less than carload lots and fifth
class in car lots; on feed not otherwise
specified, including gluten meal and
cereal poultry meal, to fence stretchers
'or woven wire fencing, which corn
arilf rates will now apply; on reduced
% fourth class l.. C. l.. and fifthclas
9. L.; on steel folding couches, made
,ne and one-half, L. G. L.; on glucose
,efuse, etc, dry in bulk, made r.
when shipped c. L.; and also slight |
,hanges in anvils and vises combined,
loors glazed with other than plate,
eaded or stained glass, and sticky fly |
PAPER. An error was corrected in the |
ate on stone of all kinds for road |