The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-04-14

other words, the through or local rate
via Minneapolis to or through Chicago
must bear definite relation to the rate
or local charge via Duluth. The Min
neapolis rate of 10 cents to East st.
Louis is also fixed by the competition of
lines other than defendants, and this
has resulted in making that rate rep
resent an arbitrary one of 21a cents
above the rate of Chicago.
"The Cannon Falls rate, like all grain
rates from the northwest producing re-
gion, is also a competitive rate. Grain
from that point can find a market in
Minneapolis, in Duluth, in the east, III
Chicago, in st. Louis, and defendants
as competing carriers are interested IN
providing rates to Chicago from all
original grain shipping points on their
lines, including Cannon Falls, which are
properly adjusted to rates via Minneap-
oils and Duluth. No effort has been
made by complainant to show that the
l5-cent rate from Cannon Falls is, sep
arately considered, unreasonable for the
transportation to Chicago, but in its
competition with Minneapolis for the
sale of grain in Chicago and other
points, Cannon Falls is clearly entitled
to as small difference in rates against
it as the difference in conditions will
permit.
"The charges have been so adjusted
that the Minneapolis market is able to
compete on at least even terms with
Duluth and Chicago for all this north
western grain, and it is doubtless a
matter of great Importance to grain
shippers in that territory, including
these at Cannon Falls, that this, choice
of market should be preserved, but the
rate adjustment by which that end is
accomplished should not give Minneapo-
lis or Duluth an undue advantage over
the Cannon Falls dealer in reahing the
final market"
The language of the opinion follows
that of the official statement given
above. In connection with the para
graph marked "Second" in that state
ment, the opinion says:
''The facts in this regard indicate
that the favorable location of Cannon
Falls with reference to Minneapolis and
Duluth, and the competitive advantages
to which Cannon Falls dealer is en-
titled by reason of the route via Duluth,
are to an extent stated neutralized by
manipulation of billing at Minneapolis.
"The remedy for this injustice, and
the proper and lawful action to take, is
to discontinue the Objectionable practice
and e,l,y-tl,,- esn1c 4irAd rata to oil grim
reconsigned to Duluth without distinc-
ton between the points of origin. If
this is done, the disadvantage here re-
ferred to will be removed"
at seems to us, however, that the
application of this remedy is prim-
arily in the hands of the Minnesota
commission, since the greater part of the
grain handled on such billings is trans
ferred wholly within that state and,
therefore, is not subjected to our juris-
diction. So far as interstate shipments
are involved, this commission will CO.
operate to the extent of its authority
if further action becomes necessary.
As to the rye and barley rate, the
opinion suggests that the ordinary re-
lation be substituted for the rate COM
planned of. Closing, the opinion says:
eff the action is taken which we con-
slider appropriate as above indicated,
any resulting change in the rate from
Cannon Falls to Chicago may require a
corresponding change in rates to East
st. Louis and Louisville; but that, of
course, would be the natural conse-
quence of the readiustment. 1t is not
believed, however, that the changes pro-
posed would have any other effect than
to place Cannon Falls and some other
points in the vicinity of Minneapolis up
on a basis of relative equality in re-
spect of the rates in question. We ex-
press no further opinion as to the man
ner in which the needful changes should
be effected and deem it unnecessary,
for the present at least, to enter manda-
tory orders"