The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-02-28
THE SOUTH AND
FREIGHT RATES.
Mobile Recorder.

The question of giving the Inter
state Commerce Commission the pow
er TO fix freight rates for the railroads
has much significance for the South,
and especially that section contlgu-
Gus to the Gulf ports.
1t is well known that at present
there is a general disposition OF ship
pers in the Northwest and middle sec
tons of the country to turn their ex-
porting business to the Gulf ports be-
cause of the advantages in transpOr-
tation over lines than run in gentle
grades to these points of expectation.
It has been demonstrated by the rail-
roads leading 20 these ports that be-
cause of these down-grade hauls an
engine will transport twice as many
loaded cars to the Gulf coast as it
can across the tortuOus mountains to
the old points of export in the East.
This fact has been readily appre-
ciated by shippers and when they
turned to these points, as they natur-
ally did, and continue to do, there
was a mighty howl set up in New
York, Boston, Baltimore and other
Al
systematic warfare inaugurated on
the Gulf ports in those quarters, so
determined are they to hold their old
trade in spite of the fact that it is
cheaper and quicker for the exporter
to reach the foreign consumer by the
ship touching at the ports of the Gulf.
To this end recently there was a big
meeting held in New York and elabor-
ate resolutions we're passed urging all
railroads leading to those cross-coun-
try ports to meet the rates of the
Southern roads, and by that means
hold to them their old profitable trade
from the Northwest and middle Sec
tions of the country.
Already the measure to give the
commission the power to fix freight
rates has passed the house and if it
passes the senate and becomes a law,
it will be within the power of the COM
mission to destroy this competition
between the lines leading to the Gulf
ports and those to the Atlantic ports
by forcing uniform rates, and by that
means the Gulf port will be deprived
of their advantage that is just now
coming into such prominent notice
This is an important matter for the
South to consider, since it is really
the object of these competing lines
to use the commission for that end If
it is given arbitrary power to fixing
rates. In opposing this feature of
railroad regulation it does not follow
that the South should oppose those
other features, such as correcting the
rebate evil, etc. 1t is conceded that
already the commission has the power
TO perform that part of the duty en-
trusted to them. 1t is only where the
measure will operate to discriminate
against one section of the country and
in favor of another that this righteous
objection should be made.
The best railroads of the country do
not object to the government destroy
ing the practice of discriminating by the
corrupting methods of rebates, but
there would certainly be objections
to the power being given the commits
sion to dictate by virtue of its ability
TO fix rates, where the producer should
ship his products, whether it be to his
interest to do so or not, and put il
beyond the ability of the line or road
that can furnish him the most prompt
and acceptable service, to help him
out of his dilemma. Here is a nice
question for the consideration of
every man who would see the Gulf
ports secure their share Of the in
creasing importing and exporting bus
mess of the country.