The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-19

representing interests at a distributing
points took place on the Goth Of June,
when testimony was offered by six wit
nesses from Duluth, two from Winona
and five from Hastings
Finar Hearing TO, Shippers.
The commission then gave notice of
a final hearing in the matter of mer-t
chandise rates to take place on July
&c. at 10 O'Clock am, an invitation
to be present being extended to all
parties interested, including shippers
and railway companies, who desired to
present any further facts or informal
tio n, bearing f; ID upon 7oo the question:
on as appointed, at which were present
representatives Of several of the rail.
way companies, two representative Of
Mankato interests, four from Silk
water, one from Winona, one FROM
Dunnell and three from St. Paul. ADD
ditional testimony was adduced and
further exhibits. We're fled by the rail-
way companies tending to indicate that
the merchandise rates proposed BY the
commission were unsatisfactory and
unjust. r'-'
An adjournment was taken to Aug.
| 6. 1906, and again to Sept. l, 1906.
! Hearing was continued on Sept /,
1906. The railway companies and the
Minnesota Shippers association were
represented by counsel, and Attorney
General Young was present for the
commission.
At the close ofsthe hearing, the COM
mission ordered the case closed, and
gave notice to all parties concerned
that the schedule Of merchandise rates
proposed by the commission would be
| put into effect. This; action was fol-
lowed by the issuance of their order
of Sept: g., 1905, requiring the railway
companies to put into effect within
thirty days the schedule prepared by
the commission. ,.t
Commodity Rates Questioned.
: During the progress of the inquiry
into the merchandise rates, much i'm
portant testimony was brought.out bear
ing upon the reasonableness of the pres
ent commodity rates in Minnesota. and
the order referred to, there have been
| held four hearings on the subject of
existing rates on COAL. grain, lumber,
wood and other commodities.
| In addition to the investigation of
| the commodity tariffs now under way,
considerable progress has been made in
the inquiry regarding express rates.
show Inconsistencies and lack of uni
formity, is not surprising, and it is
the evident purpose Of the commission
to not only work out well-balanced,
uniform schedule of express. rates, but
to place them upon just basis.
Synopsis Of Results.
To sum up the present status of the
, situation, schedule of maximum mer-
chandise. rates has. been made by the
commission. effective Nov. Is next,
| Sof
% per cent from those previously en-
ployed: That these rates are regarded
as just is evidenced by their final ac-
ceptance without contest by the car
riers, and also by the many expressions
: Of approval on the part of the public
That they are built upon a solid foun.
dation can be fairly assumed from the
) railroad official. President "A. B.asstick.
ney,. who remarked: 81 believe this
I to be the most scientific and most fair
| ~ constructed table Of rates that
have ever SEEM i
3 The investigation Of commodity rates
| has advanced sufficiently to bring tn,
end into sight. In the spirit Of an
ticipation- the railway companies hav.
2 met the commission part way. by max
: ing large and voluntary reductions il
: the coal and grain rates.
: The subject of express rates has alss
8 occupied the attention of the commits
i sion and. will result. in such action a,
: will remove MANY Inequalities and evi
| dent determinations and secure prope,
t reductions. y,,SSSSs*yy - - szss so
, The elimination of this importan
y labor Of the commission will be reached
at the conclusion of. the undertaking
: now in progress and well advanced, O
y determining: the trne value of the rail
way properties of the state. Minnesot,
i is the#frst state in the union to at
f tempt this great task for rate-makin,
! 4 PURPOSES It's vast Importance in fur
:. nishing "a safe foundation for the con
:. struetion of "a system Of indisputabl,
i fair and equitable rates for the futur
!. cannot be- nrerest inns ted e.. -.