The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-06
DECISION MADE ON
 THROUGH RATES Roads United With No Joint Rates Established INTERSTATE COMMISSION Says Carriers Arranging for Through Rates Must Give Notice to the
 World By Publi-
 cation.
INTERSTATE COMMISSION

Washington, June 5.-In decision an- nouced today by the interstate commerce l commission, some important points are determined with respect to through routes and through rates under provisions of the new railroad rate law. The decision held that practically all the railroads in the United States are united as parts of the routes over which through rates are given when no joint rate has been established.
 The decision deals with the movement of sugar held in storage at Omaha which was taken into that city before the exist ing tariff out of Omaha and to the east went into effect. The question raised was whether or not the Chicago. Burlington and Quincy railroad might allow sugar stored in Omaha go forward under a tar if put into effect after the sugar was stored. The commission holds that the sugar cannot be moved The decision says:
 At the time the sugar moved from the originating points named, this tariff was not in effect and the local rate paid into Omaha cannot be treated as an advance payment upon proportional rate which Noo ilOl III tiltCl dl tilt lillt OI OIlBln Ol the movement. There can be but one through rate In effect between any two points in a given time and this rate may be a joint rate, or combination of rates applicable on through business. Where no joint through rate is in effect, a com bination through rate oyer @ through route may be made up of any rates to make rate over the through route, but such combination through rate must be treated as a unit from the date of ori- ginal shipment to tho date of arrival at destination and the rate applied must be the combination of rates which exists on the date of original shipment The tariffs cannot be given a retroactive effect"
 The decision further states that "a combination through rate is as binding, definite and absolute as a joint and through rate.'
 A further question decided in the same case, is that as to what rate should gov ern over a through route when through rate charged Is made up of the sum of the locals Commissioner Lane holds that the rate should be applied as a com bination through rate made from some of the locals or other lawfully established rates, applicable on through business at the time the shipment originates.
 MT. Lane concludes:
 The storage implies a through rate. This is equally true whether the through rate be published as A whole, or in DOT tions by the several carriers. The route being one, contract for a service over 1t is a contract for a single service. all the terms of which must be fixed at one and the same time, that is, at the time of the making of the contract for the service. The rate is either a joint through rate made by arrangement be- tween tn eoarriers or 1t is combination through rate consisting of the separately established rates, fares and charges ap- piled to the through transportation.
 Carriers arranging for through route must give notice to the world of such arrangement by publication. Carriers forming through rates without joint rates. however, may publish and file only the separately established rates, fares and charges applied to the through transpor- tation. through bill of lading as to tn ecarriers recognizing 1t has been held by the supreme court to be conclusive owl dence of the existence of through route"