Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-29
ENFORCEMENT OF VIEW LAW DISCUSSED
Caldwell ASKS That Joint Rates Be Sub
jeot to Concurrence Of Interested Linsa
SUGGESTIONS CONE FROM SHIPPERS
Requests That Ont in Domestic Rates Be
Allowed on Ten Days Notice
WOULD ALLOW DUPLICATION OF RATES
Proposal to Permit Roads 60 Accept
shipments st Tariffs Posted by
Competitors in Certain
Cases.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2s.--To discuss
certain phases OF the railroad rate law
which took effect today there was con-
ference which lasted the greater part of
the day between the members of the In
terstste Commerce commission and repre-
senatives of the railroads and shippers of
the country. The railroad officials present
numbered thirty-four, among whom were
Vice President Caldwell OF the Delaware,
Backawanna & Western; Vice President
Grammer of the New York Central. GEN.
eral Counsel Massey Of the Pennsylvania
and General Counsel C1ardy of the Mis-
souri, Pacific, while F. I. Bently of Chi
cago, J. A. Farley of Dallas, Tex, and
James Maynard of Knoxville. Tenn, were
among the speakers for the shippers. The
american shippers association and the
Illinois Manufacturers association were
represented. The railroad representatives
uniformly gave assurance OF their In
tention to comply fully with the new law,
but presented their views as to the opera
tion of certain provisions, among the
points urged being extension of time In
which carriers may file their tariffs with
the commission, continuance of the pres
ent method Of posting tariffs. objection to
any change in export and import rates
pending full hearing, and the absolute
concurrence of all the carriers interested
before the establishment of Joint rates.
The shippers Representatives urged the
protection of their interests, particularly
against the railroads shifting classifca-
tions so as to put up rates, and contend.
ing for the discretion OF the commission
in the export and import charges and for
the publication OF tarfffs In the full ac-.
ceptation of that term. The commission
reserved decision on the questions brought
up.
Commissioners start Work.
Four members of the Interstate Com
merce commission, Chairman Knapp and
Commissioners Clements, Cockreil and
Lane were present today at the initial
hearing under the new railroad freight
rate law.
The law recently enacted by congress be-
came effective today. Already in partial
compliance with the law, tons of tariff rate
schedules have been flied with the COM
mission by the various railroads and COM
mon carrier Iines- OF the country ard addi-
tional tariffs are being received in every
mail. 1t was not expected that the full
commission under the new law would be
present in Washington today. Commissioner
Prouty of the old commission and Commits
sioners Clark and Harlan. recently ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt under the
law, could not be present at the hearing
today The commission today begins its
work under the operation OF the law which
increases the salary Of its members from
$500 TO $4,000 per annum
Commissioner e. e. Clark, who recently
was appointed by the president as a mem
Der of the commission under the new law,
arrived in Washington today. He did not
appear at the morning hearing OF the com
mission but after the intermission of the
hearing for luncheon he sat with the COM
mission for a brief time. He took the
oath of Office about two weeks ago at his
home In Cedar Rapids, la. After the meet
ing he was in conference with other menu
bers of the commission in the Offices of
Chairman Knapp.
Caldwell spenke for Railroads.
b. ID. Caldwell, a vice president of the
Delaware. Lackawanna & Western rail-
road, told the commission that, through
conferences with traffic officials and attor-
neys Of various lines of railroad, they had
sought to reach an understanding of the
new law, to the end that they might be In
position properly to observe It, He indI-
Gated, however, that Notwithstanding the
work they had done In good faith, many
questions had arisen, particularly concern
ing the publication and fling of tariffs,
on which they felt they ought to have an
exchange of views with the commission.
He suggested that it would be necessary TO
have an extension of time in which the
carriers should have opportunity TO file
their tariffs with the commission and he
requested that the commission continue
methods of posting railroad tariffs, now
generally in effect He discussed at length
the technical features of the rates. as pre-
| scribed by the new law and In connection
! with the suggestion, that the commission
suspend or modify import and export rates,
he urged that no. change be made in the
law until the fullest hearing shall have
been held. He also held that a Joint rate
dn which two or more carriers are inter-
ested), should be the subject of concur
renee. He insisted. as did all the other
speakers. that absolute concurrence. in Joint
rates of all the carriers interested should
be had before the rates were established.
George v. Massey. general counsel OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad company. assured the
commission that II was the desire OF all
Z the roads with whom he had conferred. 10
conform absolutely with the law and he
told the commission that such publication
as had been made TO the contrary was
without the shadow OF foundation In fact
! I'VE have endeavored." said he. ito ind
out what the law requires and we have
done our best to meet those requirements as
they are operative today"
G. J. Grammer, vice president OF the New
York Central lines. gave the same assur-
ance as Mr.. Massey had given. Asked
by Chairman Knapp II the change In
methods OF making rates should be made
applicable 20 this years cotton crop. Mr..
Grammar said he did. and that he believed
the carriers could adjust themselves to the
l1w. -
shippers give Their Views.
At the conclusion OF the hearing OF the
trofic onIeials L. T. Bentley OF Chicago.
representative OF the Illinois Manu-
facturers' association and the American
shippers association. presented a series
OF resolutions to the commission bearing
on the Importance Of the new law. He
urged the commission In the interests OF
the American public to take such action
as would protect the interests OF the
shippers as well as the railroads