The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-30
RATE CHANGES
LESS FREQUENT
NEW LAW FOUND TO HAVE BENE-
FLCIAL EFFECT.
Multiplicity of Ne& Tariffs Formerly
Filed Obviated by Necessity Of Get
ting Commission Consent for Every
Move-Rates More Stable and Situa-
ton More Favorable to Shippers.

The railroad laws enacted by the last
legislature have already produced a sal
utary effect on changes in rates within
the state. Before the law was passed
there was an average of ten new tariffs
day fled with the railroad commits
sion. Thep represented more or less
general reductions or advances in rates
many midnight tariffs and emer
gency rates made for few days only.
The law required these to be filed with
the commission, but that was about all
the good it did There was nothing to
stop the railroads from making these
tariffs, and by the time the commission
had investigated them, in all probable
itty they would be changed back again:
The law then required the consent Of
the commission before raising rates on
coal, lumber, grain and livestock, but
in all other matters the railroads were
free to act without consulting the all
thorities. M
Under the new law no change of any
kind in rates or classifcations can be
made without the commission IS consent.
Section Of chapter 146, laws of 1905,
provides:
Any common carrier desiring to change
or discontinue any published rate, charge
| or classification, minimum weight or rule
governing the same to which it is a party,
shall make application to the commission
in writing, stating the changes in rules,
rates, charges or classifcations desired,
giving the reasons FOR such change. Upon
receiving such application, the commits
sion shall fix a time and place for hearing,
and give such notice to interested parties
as it shall deem proper and reasonable
and after hearing all the evidence offered
| if the commission find that it is reason
able, fair and just to both shippers and
| carriers that the change should be allowed
as asked for it shall grant the applica-
| tion otherwise, it shall deny the same, OF
may grant the same in modified form
Passenger rates are not affected by this
act.
The next section provides that emer
| gency rates may be made without hear
ing, and at the same time that consen
is granted to make the rate provision
may also be made for restoring it.
Applications of all kinds are coming
in to the commission now, but the mul
titude of new tariffs, which used to b.
so confusing, has greatly decreased. I
is necessary now for the traffic Officials
to give some sort OF reason for ever,
proposed change, and they find it i
not always easy to do. Of course, Their
are many cases where reductions ar
made necessary by competition, AM
there the commission grants it's consen
without question. For instance, tn
Northern Pacific, from the twin cities t.
Duluth, is a state road, and it's rate
subject to the commission s authority
The Great Northern and Omaha rul
thru Wisconsin,, and so their rates ar
not under the commissions authority
When the other roads reduce rates, tn
only thing for the commission is t
grant the Northern Pacific authority t
meet them. When it comes to raisin!
rates, however, that is different mat
ter. -:
Traffic officials admit that the new
law is doing a great deal to proven
fluctuations in rates, and for that rea
son is a good thing for the majorit,
of the shippers, who are not clos
enough in touch with the railroads t.
reap the advantage from sudde]
changes that sometimes are taken ad
vantage of by the favored ones.