The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1906-08-09
OUR WASHINGTON
NEWS AND NOTES
lTEfGS OF INTEREST BRIEFLY
CHRoNICLED.
MEET COMM MISSION BODY.
Railroad Men Want Delay in Filing
of Tariffs. Mr.. Knapp Makes State
ment For Commission. Request Will
Probably be Granted.

Washington. The railroad officials
who have been discussing with the la
terstate Commerce Commission the IN
terpretation and enforcement OF the
new railroad rate law adjourned their
meeting.
1t was decided that a committee oil
six railroad officials, two from each
of the great traffic divisions of the
country, the Northern, Western and
Southern, should be appointed to con-
fer further with the commission re-
garding the details of enforcement OF
the rate law. This committee will be
named in a few days.
On behalf of the commission Chair
man Martin A. Knapp made the follow
lng statement concerning the work and
results Of the conference:
"The railway traffic officials who
have been in conference with the In
terstate Commerce Commission were
committees representing the Western
association roads west Of Chicago and
the Southern association roads south
of the Ohio and Potomac rivers and
east of the Mississippi. They submit
ted three general propositions In the
nature of requests relating to the pub
icaion and filing of tariffs and kin
dred matters under the amended law,
(which takes effect Oh the 2Sth of Au-
gust.
"First, that longer time is neces-
sary than will intervene before the
new law takes effect to prepare and
print rate schedules il conformity
with the amended statutes. Inciden-
tally, they ask to be allowed to pub
Iish their tariffs in the various STA
tions by placing copies in the custody
of an agent and posting notice that
they are open to inspection by any
person who desires to consult them.
Second, that the requirement of
thirty days notice of change in rates
be modified so as to permit changes
in export and import rates on short
notice as may be necessary to meet
the competition of foreign carriers.
Third, that i'll the case of joint
tariffs, which are usually issued by
the initial carrier that the termina!
charges as for storage, switching, etc,
be published and filed by the deliver
ing roads.
"It was understood by those pres
ent, and stated distinctly by the com
mission, that it has no discretion I'M
der the present law, consequently can
make no order IN regard to any Of
the matters discussed until the new
law takes effect Moreover, as only
three members of the commission were
present, which is less than a majority
as the commission will be consti-
tuted under the new law, it was an
inounced that no opinion will be ex-
pressed or ruling made until the ques
tions were considered by the entire
commission
1t was however, intimated by the
commissioners present that the car
Aliers should use their best efforts 10
prepare tariffs in compliance with the
law, and that if further time became
necessary it would be allowed. 1t was
also suggested that new committee
or subcommittee be appointed by the
carriers which should represent the
roads generally throughout the coun-
try for further conference with the
view to cooperation with the commits
sion, and in aid of uniformity of meth
DDS and practice. There was general
exchange Of views respecting various
matters connected with the subjects
above mentioned, which will be fur
ther considered by the commission.