Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-06-13
. G9'- 6
Joint Rate Discussion.

Joint Rate Discussion.
Increasing complications were large.
ly the result OF the first session OF
the state railroad commission, which
opened its hearing on the matter of
joint freight rates this morning in
the capitol building. II became more
evident than ever this morning that
the matter of arranging such rates
In this state was most difficult task.
and will require much time and labor.
The representatives of the various
railroads doing business In Iowa and
the shippers from FIT. Dodge, Clermont,
Shenandoah, Davenport, Dubuque and
Mason City were present The ques-
ton of establishing freight rates for
the Shenandoah shippers was the
only matter taken up this morning
and the bids fair to consume consid-
cradle more time.
j. j. Doty, J. III. Elscheid, Henry
Fields and w. ID. Jameson, represent
Ing the stock food, seed, husklng pin,
cultivator and mitten industries OF
Shenandoah, stated ut length the situ-
alton NJ unfair rates as they saw
II, and the joint rates they desired.
Ii developed that the Shenandoah
shippers are finding 1t difficult to com
pete with such out-state cities as
Kansas City, st. Paul. st. Louis, Oma-
ha, Bloomington and st. Joseph.
The Shenandoah shippers expressed
desire for joint rate In Iowa
which would enable them to compete
with these cities In Iowa territory.
They have not yet concluded just
what rate they wish and have In no
way approached an agreement with
any road, as urged by the railroad
commission when 1t. adjourned May
% last
The representatives of the Chicago,
Milwaukee 4 st. Paul road declared
that the question of the establish
ment OF joint frelghts rates in Iowa
was the most complicated and difficult
traffic problem ever undertaken by
the railroads OF the state He stated
that the railroad offices are being lit
orally deluged with applications for
| joint rates from all over the state,
and n solution OF the problem had
not even presented itself and no pro-
| gress been made. The remarks of
| the representative OF the Milwaukee
road constituted plea for time, and
declared that the traffic men were
exerting themselves to the utmost to
solve the rate problem,
Carroll Wright, attorney for the
Rock Island road objected to the me.
thods OF the commission In conduct.
ing the hearings. He was of the OPP
inion that nothing would ever be ac-
complished In solving the problem OF
joint rates by mere speech-making
and haphazard discussion OF the
matter. which characterized the hear
Ing, according to Mr.. Wright. He
suggested that the traffic men and
the railroad commission gather around
table and go over figures and sta
tistics and use method In determin-
Ing the matter. He lntimated holding
| a secret meeting.
| Mr.. Wright said that the minimum
| distant tariff rate would be raised to
80 cents. and he thought this would
| eliminate the troubles OF the Shenan-
| doah shippers. J. M. Tittemore. traf-
| fic manager Of the Iowa Central, had
more nearly arrived at a solution OF
the joint rate problem. He said that
his road would probably consent to
rate Of 80 per cent OF the local rate
on every commodity and stand a pro
| per proportion OF the charges.