Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-08-30
Conference Between Commerce Com
mission, Representatives OF
Railroads and Shippers Held.
CARRIERS WANT MORE time
nnsist They Are Ready to Obey the
Law-ManufactureF Present
Neutrality-suspicious. Re-
serves Its Decision.

law, winch look erect lue5udy, Iueie
was conference which lasted the
greater part Of the day between the
members Of the interstate commerce
commission and representatives Of the
railroads and shippers Of the country.
The railroad officials present num-
bered thirty-four.
The American Shippers association
and the Illinois Manufacturers asso-
citation were represented. The rail-
Toad representatives uniformly gave
assurance Of their intention to com
ply fully with the new law, but pre-
scented their views as to the operation
Of certain provisions, among the points
urged being extension Of time in which
carriers may file their tariffs with
the commission; continuance OF the
present method Of posting tariffs; OBJ
lection 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, particu-
larly against the railroads shifting
Niassifications so as to put up rates
and contending for the discretion OF
the commission In the export and Inn
port changes and for the publication
Of tariffs In the full acceptation OF
that term. The commission reserved
decision Of the questions brought up.
George v. Massey, general counsel
OF the Pennsylvania railroad company,
assured the commission that 1t was
the desire Of all the roads with whom
he had conferred to conform absO
lutely 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.
1--WE have endeavored," said he, ito
find out what the law requires and we
have done our best to meet tho re-
QulrementS as they are operative to-
day"
At the conclusion of the hearing Of
the traffic officials, +, T. Bentley, Of
Chicago, a representative Of the ILL
nois Manufacturer association and
the American Shippers association,
presented series Of resolutions to
the commission bearing on the i'm
portance Of the new law. He urged
the commission In the interests OF
the American public to take such ac-
ton as would protect the interests OF
tho shippers as well as the railroads,
An abstract Of the resolutions pre-
scented by Mr.. Bentley follows:
THAT we favor continuance OF
the present practice Of having tariffs
IN the custody Of agents with pla-
card announcing that they are open to
public inspection.
THAT only one amendment to a tar
III shall be in effect at one time and
when later amendment Is neces-
oary It shall include all live changes
up TO date,
"As TO the thirty day requirement
Of publication Of tariffs that We favor
the commission ruling that a reduction
N domestic rates can be made Ell
fective on ten days notice and on ex
port business allow three days legal
notice for any reduction on the same
"That we favor a commission ruling
that line having no published tariff
rate or carrying a higher published
tariff rate than its competitors, pub
lication should be permitted to &C
,cept and forward business.
Upon telegraphing the commission
the facts and stating that they adop
the competitors rate as their own Z
become effective at once and to pre-
vent discrimination, 1t must accep
the lower competitive rate.
"That we favor the railways adopt
fng a switching tariff at each compel
itive point.
THAT we should insist that tn
railway companies recognize the sun
OF locals a. the only legal rate whe'
such sum ID lower than higher pull
llshed through rate.
THAT the practice Of making In
port rates on commodities competitiv
with domestic productions is discrin
.tnatory and that the lowest basis froI
any foreign port to an inland destiI
alton should not be lower than th
domestic rate Of the most favorabl
located port Of entry and in no cas-
should through import rates be LEI
that the export rates in the opposil
direction between the same points.
"That we favor the adoption BY q
shippers Of a freight receipt or bi
q lading without any conditions
nov ambodled in bills Of lAding In vi
RenoralIy.
IA FARLEY Of Dallas, Texas, repr
a.ntinR the American Shippers
location, urged that the commisais
ouaht To exercise discretion In U
matter Of the change Of export Al
tmport ratss. He insisted that
rates should be publiahsd in the q
acosptation Of the term, a. they We
public and not private property.
ThSough Chairman Knapp. the co
risrion announced at the conelush
a The hearing that Il would take
-. -..tt.-, nrs.sntod for conaidel