The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-09
HEARINe UNDERs RATE LAW.
Southern Road Protest Against the
MethOd Of FillnR rate A~chedulea.

WASHINGTON, Oct. s.-Strong opposition
by the Representatives Of Southern rail-
roads TO the method OF fling rate schedules
proposed by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission developed to-day at the hearings
In this city. H. +. Smith OF the Nashville.
Chattanooga ana st. Louis Railroad, who
acted as spokesman for the Southern rail
way men, discussed at length the various
requirements in regard to the filing Of the
rate schedules which the commission pro-
poses to embody into a formal order, and
the general tenor OF his argument WA
that those requirements were not suitable
to Southern traffic conditions. He adj
mitted that the Southern roads regarded
uniformity in rate schedules as essential,
but he objected to the method by which
the commission intended to obtain the
desired uniformity.
The special opposition Of the Southern
railroads was directed against the provision
Of the contemplated regulations which re-
quire the fling with the commission Of
special concurTences to accompany the
tariff itself in all cases where a general con-
currence Is not filed by a line participating
in a joint rate. Mr.. Smith admitted that a
majority OF the Southern roads were in favor
Of the fling Of a blanket concurrence. but
he thought that the fling OF individual
-concurrences to accompany the rate itself
would entail an immense amount Of clerical
work and hamper the management OF the
trafic departments Of the Southern roads.
In some tariffs, he said, 1873 railroads were
involved, and the concurrence OF all OF them
would be dificult to obtain. He pointed
out that it was often a difficult matter for
the railroads 70 v their tarih schedules
printed with regularity o. account Of labor
troubles. The Southern roads, he said,
also protested against the provision OF the
contemplated regulations which limited
the number OF supplements hat could be
filed to any tariff. In regard to the pub
fishing Of criminal charges by the initial
line, which il a requirement contemplated
by the commission. Mr.. Smith said that the
Southern roads we're en~deavoring to COM
ply with this provision as rapidly as possible
under the present circumstances.
When Mr.. Smith had finished the z
ment for the Southern lines d. b. Caldwell
Of the Delaware, Lsckawanna and Western
road, representing the committee OF Eastern
trunk lines, took the floor and said that he
would be glad to hear the views OF the
Western railroad men present. j.. G.
Stubbs OF Chicag go, traific director OF the
Union Pacific Railroad, jumped to his feet
and said: 90
Perhaps you would, but the members
Of the committee Of Western roads have
not had an opportunity Of holding a con-
ference to reach a unanimous conclusion
on this matter, while the member OF the
Eastern committee have had time to reach
an agreement. We are unprepared to give
our views at this time and would prefer
TO hear the views OF the members Of the
Eastern committee"
A the time for adjournment had been
reached, the chairman announced hat the
hearing would be continued tomorrow
morning. He minated that the railroad
companies would be limited to one hour
each in order to end the hearing as loon as
practicable. As soon az the consideration
Of freight rates is completed the filing OF
passenger rates will be taken up.