The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-06
But RULING IS
A QUALIFIED ONE
Intersi lite Commerce Commission
Hands Down Long-Awaited
Decision.
MINNEAPOLIS MARKET
rs TO BE KEPT OPEN
Tribunal Holds No Injustice Is
Done in the Chicago Rate
Matter.
BY w. w. Jermane.

Washington, April 6.-The interstate
commerce commission today announced
Its opinion in the Cannon Falls rate
case, which has been pending for
nearly two years. The commission is
indefinite in it's findings, but victory
appears to lie with Cannon Falls, as it
is held that some things are being done
by the railroads which ought not to be
done, and that Cannon Falls is entitled
to as low ratesSto common points as
the difference in conditions will permit.
This holding in qualified, however, by
the statement that in view Of the desir-
ability of keeping open the Minneap-
oils market to Cannon Falls grain, it is
apparently not unj Just that the grain
rate from Cannon Falls should be as
high as the local rate to Minneapolis
plus a 7h-cent rate therefrom to Chi
cago, provided the Cannon Falls dealer
IS not thereby subjected to disadvantage
as compared with Minneapolis grain
dealers.
Commission Decision.
The statement Of the decision given
out by the commission is as follows:
"The interstate commerce commission
today, in an opinion by Chairman
Knapp, announced it's decision in the
case Of the Cannon Falls Farmers Ele-
NdIot dSdIHSI VIC SNlCdSO
Great Western Railway company and
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
Railway company. The important facts
of the case and points decided by the
commission are as follows:
With competition for carriage of
grain to and via Duluth and other
northern lake ports, rates of 10 cents
on wheat and ~ cents on other grain
from Minneapolis to Chicago are as
oh hn htoir Cd NV al
between these points, and competition
bylines other than the defendants from
Minneapolis to East st. Louis has
fixed a rate by all lines at 10 cents
per 100 pounds, and this also controls
the rate to Louisville. Rates from
Cannon Falls, point in Minnesota
Chicago, East St: Louis and Louisville
are also competitive rates, and in its
competition with Minneapolis, Cannon
Falls is entitled to as low rates to com.
mon points as the difference in condi
tions will permit.
The Grain Rate.
Elm view, however, of the desira
market to Cannon Falls grain, the short
distance between these points and the
low rate from Minneapolis forced by
competition, it is apparently not I'M
just that the grain rate from Cannon
Falls should be as high as the loca
rate to Minneapolis plus 7h-cent
rate therefrom to Chicago, provided the
Cannon Falls dealer is not thereby sub
jected to disadvantage as compared
with the Minneapolis grain dealer.
Disadvantages Of Shipper.
"Under present rate conditions the
Cannon Falls shipper Is subjected tt
disadvantage as follows:
"First-The competition Of rates OF
rye and other coarse grains from Can
non Falls to Minneapolis and Mime
apolis to Chicago is one-half cent les
than the straight rate of Is cents from
Cannon Falls to Chicago, and this i
without Justification.
"Second-The favorable location o
Cannon Falls with refernce to Mime
apolis and Duluth, and the competitiv
advantage to which the Cannon Fall
dealer is entitled by reason of the rout
via Duluth, are neutralized to an ex
tent by manipulation of billing at Min
neapolis, whereby Cannon Falls graf
sol d In Minneapolis can be reconsigne
to Duluth under substituted billing an
the balance of thru rate resulting i
a less total charge, which may amour
to 2 cents or more from Cannon Fall
to Duluth, than the charge on thr
shipment from Cannon Falls to Duluth
"Third-The rate on rye, barley an
other coarse grain from Cannon Falls
Louisville or East st. Louis is wron&
fully higher than the rate on wheat b'
tween the same points,