New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-13
10 REGULATE RAILROAD RATES IN INDIANA
Law PROVIDING FOR II CONFUSION REGARDED
F4VORABLY By SHIPPERS and R4JrBolD MN /,

indianapolis, March q (Specaal9.-Members of the
Indiana Shippers Association express themselves as
well pleased with the new law creating railroad
ate commission enacted at the session OF tbe
legislature just closed While the new measure
mich has been signed by Governor Hanly win
not become operative until July l, and the Governor
has after that date ninety days in which to ap-
lrout the members Of the commission a lively
scramble IS on for places and shippers ana rail-
rad men alike are anifesting keen interest in the
luersonne OF the board in view of the reforms the
BODY VIII be expected to bring about.
The new law while q compromise measure is
sooked upon generally satisfactory. although
shinpers declare that weak spots VIII be found IN
:, that viii have ID be corrected at the session Of
the legislature two years hence One point with
i,h3ch the shippers not satisfied is the fact
that TIE law provides that appeals from decisions
~ the commission shall be 70 the Appellate Court
ss+ss6 az to the Marion County SUPERIOR Court as
t--nv4ded n the original bill The fact that the
a,,euste Court is SLOW moving body, it is
orted out viii make the matter Of enforcing rate
'.-1snr slow and tedious one. This seeming defect
:. however obviated by the clause providing for
= spueal bond to be made by the roads taking the
s-peal the snount os such appeal bond being sufi-
se-t 10 cover the difference between the rate
~hs-red and the rate fixed in the decision which ts
appealed from
Members Of the shippers Association think that
9Th the commission organized and in working
lor6er. many rate abuses that have caused untold
i.nnovanos and rnuch expense IN the past will be
corrected For years It has been the custom in
Indiana FOR railroads that have no competition be-
tween certain points TO make unreasonably high
t%-efeh+ tariffs feeling safe in doing, from the
SCI that the state has had law governing these
matters and because OF the unprotected condition
OF shippers and receivers On account Of this absence
OF competition. In many instances rates between
soins fifty miles apart, in certain sections Of the
state have been double, or more than double. the
rates between other points equally distant, but
sx4rh competing lines Of railroads. With the new
commission in working order such abuses will at
!orce be done away with. The matter Of compelling
roads 70 furnish cars when requested viii also be
within the scope Of the commissions powers. and
.xraon this point the heavy coal shippers in the
southwestern part OF the State expect great things
as the east and west roads have heretofore dis
eliminated against Indiana coal IN the matter CT
rates until the product Of Indiana mines has been
almost driven from the markets. The Big Four and
PENNSYLVANIA lines. being the most important east
and west lines. have been the chief offenders in
this matter, frequently-and recently last
SsliIeaving several hundred cars of coal standing
Ter weeks IN the yards at Terre Haute and refus-
lHg to handle the coal either east or west or to
Chicago
A clause IN the new law places the electric IN
te-urban lines under the control Of the rate fixing
commission. This was not desired by the traction
people, they have been enjoying q good thing in
short hauls OF light and perishable freight. and
have charged Just about what they pleased in the
way Of tariffs. The steam roads insisted upon the
Incorporation Of this clause. however
Shippers generally profess doubt TO the COM
missions ability TO do anything with the private
car lines or refrigerator cars as they. being en-
gagged almost wholly IN interstate traffic and owned
sty foreign corporations hardly be classed
with lines doing freight business between points
within the State. The new law, however. gives the
commission power to regulate ard revise fixed
ny these carriers
Railroad men. as a rule. express themselves as
c6aG with al
though denying that any reasons exist for the
creation OF rate fixing commission. "Exgencies
OF business is, however the only they give
for the startling discrepancies in tariffs between
points the same distance apart when these points
ere reached by only road. and when two
= ere roads operate between the points. Every
freight agent in Indianapolis has declared that full
corporation with the commission will be the rule
Of the steam lines. and under these circumstances
shippers believe they viii be amply protected
Talks with half d dozen representatives Of differ
ent roads, and with as many influential members.
most Of them officers, Of the Shippers organiza-
ton show an apparent feeling OF general satisfac-
ton over the passage Of the bin, which both sides
sav viii make impossible in the future abuses
which the shippers and the general public have
Known 10 exist for years, and which the railroad
men admit might, at any time under present con-
6itions come into being. So general is the salts
faction among the shippers that at recent meet
ing Of the State organization the question Of dis
solving the association was discussed. The argu-
nent was advanced that, considering the fact that
the object for which the association was formed
has been accomplished there is now no reason
for its continuation. Many Of the leading shippers
took this view Of the matter; but. upon a vote. it
Vas decided TO continue the organization in its
present FORM at least until the rate commission
shah be appointed and in working order.
Tbs Indiana Railroad Commission bill agreed
OF by conference Of railroad men and shippers. II
provides for three commissioners with power to s-