The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-22

In view of these and other comparisons
Montgomery claims the right to revision
of rates in her favor. Following are some
extracts from the petitions;
You gentlemen are familiar with the
original adjustment from Ohio and Mis-
sissippi river crossings to southeastern
basing or distributing points. When eff
forts were made to enforce the fourth
section of the interstate commerce act
this system was approved and upheld by
the supreme court of the United States,
because they were convinced that the
railroads desired to regulate competition,
and make their rates conform Herewith.
At that time, a complex situation was
relieved and every one apparently salts
fled that l. was the intention of the rail
lines to give just and equitable division
OF territory to each principal jobbing CEN
ter in this section. A mechanical device
was theoretically provided for relative
adjustment to all other basing points
whenever commercial necessities war
ranted change in special commodity
to any given point.
Conditions have changed: competing
lines have been constructed that have
abridged space between initial Ohio and
Mississippi river crossings and southeast
ern basing points: concurrently other bas-
ing or jobbing points have been estab-
lished Advantage has been taken of this
by new lines seeking supremacy in the
territory they have opened, much to the
discomfort of the traffic managers of lines
serving older commercial communities
who are fearful only of a decrease in rev.
enue and reduction in rates that might
follow to other points by reducing the
major or principal points of competition.
We contend that a broader and more
equitable view should be observed, and
that such justifable opportunities should
be made available by offering better ia
c,lities in the way of equal competition;
the well-known sequence thereof is i'm
proved business with increased tonnage
and revenue.
The International Harvester company of
America until recently had branch or
distributing house in Montgomery; the
rates on its shipments of agricultural i'm
PIGMENTS, N. o. s.. c. L. were from Chi
cago to Montgomery 90, to Birmingham
Al cents per 100 pounds-a difference of II
advantage of being located at the latter
point; the warehouse occupied here was
sub-let and they moved their entire bust
ness to Birmingham.
It is admitted that rates from Louisville
and other river crossings to Birmingham
were made to meet the arbitrary action
of the Kansas City, Memphis and Bir-
mingham railroad. In establishing rates
from Memphis to Birmingham, and that
such rates as made by it are wholly
beyond your control. We contend, how
ever, that you are in control of rates
from the Ohio river to Birmingham and
likewise to Montgomery Traffic officials
of the Frisco system formerly the Kan
sas City, Memphis and Birmingham rail-
road, are under bias and personal pref
erence to Birmingham, inasmuch as they
have frequently announced their pur-
pose to keep Birmingham as low or lower
than Montgomery. The Frisco has
interest in Montgomery, and by acquies-
eence of other lines who are interested
in Montgomery to the rates established
by the Frisco to Birmingham. such lines
arbitrarily bestow upon that point the
POWER to reach out and do business in
territory that should be legtimately
served by Montgomery and at the same
time decline to give any relative relief
to Montgomery.
Montgomery is essentially Il jobbing or
distributing center. by virtue Of its To-
.