The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-07
ARMOUR LINES ARE
 GIVEN EXTENSION Southern Railroads File Answer
 to Charges IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE Pennsylvania DIscIalms Responsibility On Ground That the Business Men, tIoned Does Not Originate
 On It's Lines.
IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE


 mission an extension until September 10, in which to file it's answer to the in- quiry concerning relations between re- frigerated lines and railroads.
 Several railroads have been granted ex- tensions ranging up to September 25. The time in which to answer as set originally. expired on yesterday and the replies which come in were made public to- day The Southern railway. the Atlantic Coast Line, the Central of Georgia, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and the Pennsylvania have filed their answers.
 All except the two last mentioned de- clare that they are in no way responsible fer the charges made by the Armour car lines, and although they don't pub llsh refrigeration charges they state ex- pressly that their tariff rates do not in- clude refrigeration. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe makes the same disclaim ct ncerning its business relations with the Santa Fe refrigerator dispatch. The Pennsylvania disclaims responsibility on the ground that none of the business men tioned in the inquiry originates on it's lines and ayers further that it does not pub fish refrigeration charges for the reason that 1t is not engaged in refrigeration business. No reply has been received from the Santa Fe refrigerator dispatch. Following are synopsis of the replies received:
 Sy..opses of Replies.
 The Southern railway admits that the charges made by the Armour lines TOT the refrigeration of fruit and vegetables are as stated m the order of the interstate commerce commission, and that the re- frigeration charges are In detail set forth in refrjg.1 alton tariffs or circulars, copies of which from time to time have been furnished ty the Armour lines The road says the tariffs have been freely dis- tributed by the convenience Of the snip pers so as to acquaint them with the charges made by the Armour lines is de- nIed by the Southern railway, which says the rates quoted by 1t to the shippers of fruit, vegetables and berries from points in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to New York and other northeastern markets do not include the cost of refrigeration, and It's tariffs specifically provide that its rates as published do not include cost of re- frigeration.
 The respondent ayers that this Is un- derstood by the shippers and that they make a separate, distinct and independ- ent contract with the Armour lines for the refrigeration service to which the railway is in no way a party beyond the collection of charges for the refrig- eration lines. The railway says 1t pays three-quarters of a cent mile to the Armour lines for the use of it's refriger- ator cars, whether they are loaded or empty. The charges of the refrigerator line are said by the respondent to be just and reasonable, and 1t is denied that the ! road, acting through the Armour car lines, or otherwise has been or is col lecting refrigeration charges at lower rate from some shippers than from oth- CTS.
 The replies of the Atlantic Coast Line railroad enters into the same general denials of responsibility for the Armour car line charges as has been made by the Southern Railway company. The Atlan- tic Coast Line, however, did at the re- quest of the North Carolina Truck and Fruitgrowers' association make a contract with the Armour car lines under the de- scriptive name of the "Fruitgrowers' ex- press' under which the refrigerator line was obligated to charge rates not to ex- ,eed the respondents tariffs, effective April l. 1902, and May 1, 1902.
 The Central of Georgia railroad has made a reply which in it's general ale gations is identical with that of the Southern railway.
 Santa Fe Makes Denial.
 The Atchson, Topeka and Santa Fe la.lroad denies that 1t ordered any of it's 1gents to accept the business of the re- irigeration of shipments of desiduous fruits or vegetables. or that the Santa Fe Refrigerator Dispatch company acts by or under the authority of the respond ent. It Is set forth that the Santa Fe Refrigerator Dispatch company which controls the business of refrigeration over the respondents lines has not acted for the railway in the application or col lection of refrigeration charges. The road denies emphatically that by the way of rebates or other devices it has collected at lower rate or charge from some ship pers than from others for the refrigera- ton of fruits or vegetables in transit. Referring to the charges are not pub lished, the respondent says this is for the reason that 1t did not engage in the bus- ness of refrigeration and that 1t does not make or collect any charge therefor.
 The Pennsylvania railroad ayers that its line of road does not extend into Georgia, South Carolina or North Caro- lima, or any of the states mentioned in the inquiry, and takes the position that the complaint does not affect 1t because the traffic mentioned does not originate on any of It's lines of railroads Tn. respondent says. therefore, 1t is in mo- wise responsible for any arrangement with the Arpour car lines nor for the charges made for refrigeration. That there Is any arrangement or understand ing between the Armour car lines and the respondent is expressly denied. either as to supplying cars or icing.
 On the contrary. the respondent ayers, it has not undertaken to furnish any refrigerator cars for fruit traffic nor to provide refrigeration. The road declares that 1t Is not consulted respecting the character of the charges made by the Armour car lines has no authoritative information as to the amount, does not directly or indirectly have anything to do with fixing said charges. and Is not entitled to and does not receive any part thereof.
 Joint traffic in which 1t is engaged with other roads are said by the Penn | sylvania road to be restricted to rail- road transportation. and are without ref erence to refrigeration charges. Charges for refrigeration are noted on the way bills as advance charges. and are inde- pendent from the freight rates. The road further denies any knowledge of re- bates or other devices by which one shipper receives lower rates than oth- CTS.
 SPECIAL NOTICE,