The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-16
RAILROADS.
CALLING IN PASSES |;'
Railroad Men Are Observing the
Elkins Law to the
Letter.
Heavy Shippers Fear a Disadvan.
tage in the Uniformity
of Rates.

Senator ElkinS' law is being much dis
cussed in Minneapolis. Neither the ship
passenger agents for that matter, are
sure they understand the comprehensive
act They will not be sure either until
a test case has been settled. At present
every one is living up to its requirements
and probably will until some genius finds
way around. H.. "-@
This haziness in regard to the new law
accounts for the fact that many a traffic
man swallowed the story that the law
was ex post facto and trembled accord
ingly when he considered his past mis-
deeds and the imprisonment penalty which
seems to be main feature of the new
act. .tEer &c..
Some one has apparently played another
grim joke on the jobbers and manufa ctur-
ers. He has sent in plain envelopes to
each of them in the city a printed con-
densation, of the law with the sections
which prevent concessions, such as passes,
for the securing of freight business. en-
phasized in italics. The joke consists in
a. heavy capital headline printed in car
mine ink: Better Consult Your Lawyer
Following this circular, all annual passes
issued the first of the year to heavy ship
spers were called in. ,.. IT.
1t is evident that the Elkins law will
settle the pass question more effectually
than any trunk line agreements. The
roads simply have to display the section
Of the law when shippers make request
for transportation. !"
How the Rates Work.
Small shippers apparently are not af-
fected by the provisions of the Elkins
law. They always paid regular rates.
It is the big shipper. or those to whom
wholesale rates we're given in return for
big shipments. that will suffer.
One of the large manufacturers said
to-day that the law simply meant uniform
rates. That it accomplishes the inten-
ton of the original interstate commerce
law in making rates the same to every
body. He said also that large shippers
would not object much to the uniform
rates established by the Elkins law if
the roads would make some sort of reduc-
ton in rates. OF course, he added, the
roads had to make net earning showing
In the face of Increased cost Of materia
and labor. He said also that although
firms like his were doing an increased
business, the man who was really profit
ing was %the laboring man and the pro-
viders of raw material. Although re-
ceipts by his company We're larger thar
they have been. the net earning percent
age was no larger. Therefore his firm
would suffer by the adoption of a rate
uniform with that paid by the small ship.
pers.
Are Homeseekers' Rates Affected?
Chicago lines have not met homeseek-
eIS rates I1duS Dy the 81. Louis NarCf
3, and it was the impression that the
Minneapolis road would withdraw them
1t will not, however, unless at the advice
of its general solicitor. Other lines claim
the rates to be illegal, under the Elkins
law.
One of the first steps to be taken ir
enforcement of the new antitrust legisla
ton will be the Inauguration of suits
instigated by the Interstate commerce
commission against the Illinois Contra
and one or two other "a ilroads to compe
them to publish their export tariff rates
These suits will involve the Eilkins law
and may be the first to put that statute
to the test. Incidentally the department
of justice will avail itself Of the expeditini
act. and rush them along to the suprem.
court.
These exports rates, as they are called
which the roads have declined to maxi
public. are the rates on merchandise which
the roads accept for shipment abroad AM
are often involved in one through bill o
lading transaction. Hitherto the commits
sion has been powerless to compel tn
roads to post Them and live up to a f1xet
schedule.