The Washington times., 1906-09-16
COMMISSION JOLTS
COTTON CARRIERS
First Case Definitely De-
cided by the New Com
mission.
UPHoLDS 80 DAYS NOTICE
Decision FoIeshadows Reduction in
Rates and Saving of Millions to
Cotton Growers.

Late yesterday afternoon the Inter-
state Commerce Commission handed
down its decision in the matter of the
petition of the cotton roads 10 be al
lowed to suspend the thirty days notice
feature OF the new rate law.
Not only did the commission decide
against the roads, but It went sun
farther. II ruled against the practice
they haye been following OF late OF
declining 10 issue through bills or lad
ing 10 foreign destinations and II iuF-
ther conferred on the roads the prlVli-
eye Of reducing rates on three days
notice. while holding them 10 the thlTly
days notice for any advances
This is the first case definitely de-
clded bv the new commission. and the
decision indicates plainly that there Is
10 be no dallying with the law. The
decision foreshadows the reduction OF
great number Of rates which viii mean
a saving Of many millions TO the
growers Of cotton. and like shrinkage
In the revenues Of cotton roads.
Petition of Southern and Others.
The text Of the decision follows:
The commission having under con-
sideratioa the petition OF the Southern
operating IN territory east OF the Missis-
sippi river and south OF the Ohio and
Potomac rivers for permission to equal
ize export rates on cotton, cottonseed
and It's products. and lumber, and there
by make changes in their export rates
on those commodities without the
thirty days notice required by Law. and
the commission being OF the opinion
that carriers may legally issue through
l.ls Of lading from the interior point OF
shipment to a foreign destination which
specify the inland rate 10 the port OF
export and the ocean rate from the
port of export even though no joint
through rate is published
Petition Flatly Denied.
II is ordered:
That no published rates on cotton
salu br advanced except upon thirty
q ,vs' notice. as required by law.
That from and after this date and
ua-I March /, 1907. carriers may reduce
th.lr published export rates on cotton
tu the various ports Of export uo0n
th-t, days notice.
e. That until November !. 1906. car
r-e-y may continue TO equalize export
sHe-au rates through the various ports
D. Applying the lowest combination
; lpugn All the ports, thereby making
SID RACES without publication and nj
tl- as required by law, provided that
raag post in two conspicuous places in
tla station where cotton is received for
slHment notices Of the rates so made
as soon as they are made and mail cop
ies of the same to the commission. said
notices 10 specify the rate and the time
during which the rate viii continue in
effect
/. That as to cotton seed and its
products and lumber the petition Is de-
med.
Takes Up Chicago Cases.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
left last evening for Chicago, where
tomorrow the members Will hear the
petition of certain traEscontineHtal
roads for suspension Of the ,hirty days
notice OF changes of rates on export
and import business through Pacific
coast ports.
This hearing is expected to occupy
two or three days. In view of the cot
ton roads decision il is thought unlikely
that this request Will be granted.
The transcOnUEental Il es say they
must have the privilege OF making rates
on freight to Japan and A. a on mo-
ments notice If they are TO get the
business from the steamship lines going
via the Suez canal
Other Work in West.
While on this trip West, two or three