The Washington times., 1903-05-20
Queer Rate Decision.

And now comes the United States
Supreme Court with a blow at the
small villages which have only one rail
road entering them, and also at the In
terstate Commerce Commission. A de-
cision was handed down yesterday in ef-
feet that there is to be no discTimina-
ton OF charges when there is no compe-
tltion. In other words, If railroad
passes through a town alone, 1t can
charge as much, and more, for hauling
freight to it from any point, than II
does to a point several hundred miles
farther on, to a town which has more
than one railroad passing through 1t
To the average citizen this seems some
what Pickwickian In its justice, but one
must not criticise the Supreme Court
OF the United States. and the railroad
men, who ought to know, say it is d
very fine decision. One cannot help be-
lieving, however, that it is hard on the
town
AS to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, 1t has in its decisions been
holding view directly opposed to the
decision handed down by the Supreme
Court. Naturally the railroads, which
have suffered in these decisions, are re-
joicing, and today they are following
the law as laid down by the court.
Said an official of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad this morning:
Il admit that to those who are un-
familiar with the financial workings OF
a railroad the decision seems surprising.
hut IL ba ba
a rival which has its lines laid on fat
ground makes a rate cheaper TO point
than a railroad which has TO carry its
goods over mountains and high hills.
This rate has to be met, and at a loss.
A special charge is made TO this one
point, and not to the intermediate
towns.
This happens frequently In the West
and South, around New Orleans particu-
larly. ton of freight can be shipped
from New Orleans to Beaumont. Texas,
cheaper than IL can to New iberia,
Louisiana town not quite half way to
Beaumont. The same holds right here
in Maryland. l know of cases where it
has been cheaper to ship freight through
from Baltimore to Washington, or vice
versa. than to ship it to the interme-
date towns.
las I have already said. this rate is
usually a loss. 1t Is too low for the
road TO make money, but the road has
TO meet competition for simple business
reasons. 1t has to take freight through
as cheap as its rivals. Now, the bust
ness man living between Washington
and Baltimore. or New Orleans AMI
Beaumont Immediately proceeds to
raise a row just as SOON as he learns
of this special rate.
He cannot understand why the road
carries goods farther for less money,
than Il does to him. But he ovcrIooks
the fact that the charge he paws is tho
just one. not that TO the other town.
Angry. a number OF these men combine
ard take their cases TO court or to the
Interstate Commerce Commission The
latter body has frequently ru;rI that
this alleged discrimination is w:org.
bur We were satisfied that 1t WAS NOT.
ana We have taken all of the cases 20
court. Now the highest tribunal in tie
land has sustained our position.
In cases like this the railroad is in
the same position as the groceryman,
the restaurant keeper. or any other
business man who is compelled to sell
a certain line of goods at a loss to
make a fair profit on his other COM
me- dities."