The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-08-31
FIRST HEARING UNDER
NEW FREIGHT RATE Bill.
Representatives of Several Railroads Appear Before the Inter
state Commerce Commission-Technica Phases of the
Measure Diseussed-PIea for Protection of Shippers.

nan 80 days notice a provided bv
the present law.
chairman Knapp called his attention
% me TACT that in he moving .: cotton
ne method OF changing the rates aad
neen III practice for years and rnat
II the cotton just nov about IL no
moved would not be affected bv the
regulation heretofore enforced. i
might De disastrous 10 cotton interests
DO O think" asked Chairman
Knapp. that the change ought -
De made applicable az 10 this wears
movement Of
l do responded Mr.. Grammer.
/ believe the carriers can adjust
themselves 10 the new law in his re-
spect within thirty days
me commission announced that IL
"ould consider the questions brought
up ana make public is decision later.
Al the conslusion Of the hearing OF
trafnc officials Of the railroads. r. T.
bentley. OF Chicago. a Representative
OF the Illinois Manufacturers Associa-
non, ana ne American Shippers Asso-
clallon, presented a series OF resolu-
Iuflons TO the commission bearing
upon the importance Of the new law.
me resolutions wee somewhat ex-
tended and Mr.. Bentley elaborated
each one in order. He spoke from the
standpoint OF a shipper. and urged
the commission in the interests Of the
American public - take such action
as would protect the Interests of the
shippers as we'll as the railroads.
An abstract of the resolutions PIE
scented by Mr.. Bentley, follows:
"Thaf We favor a continuance pe tho
present practice Of having tariffs in
the custody of agents with a placard
announcing that they are open 10 pub
lie inspection.
THAT only one amendment to a
tariff shall be in effect at one time,
and when a later amendment is nee
up to date.
A to the thirty day requirement of
publication of tariffs:
THAT we favor the commission rul-
ing that a reduction in domestic rates
can be made effective on ten days
notice, and on export business allow
three days legal notice for anv reduc-
ton on the same
THAT we favor a commission ruling
that a line having no published tariff
rate, or carrying a higher published
tariff rate than its competitors puhli-
cation, should be permitted to accept
and forward business upon telegraph
ing the commission the facts, and sta
ing that they adopt the competitors
rate as their own to become effective at
once, and to prevent discrimination, it
must accept the lower competitive
rate.
THAT we favor the railways adopt
ing a switching tariff al each Compel
tive point.
That means be devised to make a
railway company quote rates to the
| public and be responsible therefor,
even they make an error in so quot
ms.
That we favor a ruling from the
| commission that an application sheet
showing such territory or such rail-
road connections as are parties to the
rate from particular terminal should
be considered legal and sufficient.
THAT We should insist that the rail-
| way companies recognize the sum Of
| locals as the only legal rate when such
| sum is lower than a higher published
through rate.
That the practicc Of making import
| rates on commodities competitive with
| domestic productions IS discriminatory
| and that the lowest basis from any
| foreign port K an inland destination
| should not be lower than the domestic
| rate from the most favorably located
| port of entry. and in no case should
| through import rates be less than the
export rates in the opposite direction
| between the same points.
That we favor the adoption by all
| shippers of a freight receipt or bill OF
lading in use generally.