The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-12
INVESTIGATE FREIGHT RATES Hon. JIG. Clements Visits
 Montgomery. LOOKING INTO COMPLAINTS Member of Interstate Commerce
 Commission is Here. Saqniry Into Conditions that Exist fin This Locality, and to Confer on
 Matter of Hearing of
 Local Case.

1oH. JudSon C. clements, a member of the Interstate Commerce Commits sion, is in Montgomery to investigate into railroad rate conditions that exist in this locality. especially with refer ence to the complaints that have been lodged with the Commission by the Montgomery Freight Bureau. It Is understood that, while here, Mir. Clem- ents will confer with interested par ties concerning a date for hearing the complaints.
 MT. Clements called on Governor Conner yesterday and was the guest of the Governor yesterday at dinner. He also saw two members of the Rail- road Commission. Before he leaves Montgomery he expects to confer with H. s. kealhofer, manager of the Mont gomery Freight Bureau. and also with members of the Railroad Commission. whom he has not yet seen.
 The Commissioner is accompanied by Hon. Frank Lyon, an assistant attor- ney in the service of the Commission, for the purpose of looking after such legal matters as may be necessary in the Investigations.
 In his suite of rooms at 4he Ex- change Hotel last evening, MT. Glenn ents talked freely of his visit to Mont gomery. As to the details of the com plaints entered with the commission
  miliar and it was one of his objects here to acquaint himself with all oon- ditions bearing on the subject in this locality.
 T am here to investigate the con- ditions that exist in this section" said MT. Clements. "The complaints of the Montgomery Freight Bureau have not been set for hearing. In examining into these conditions, I shall confer wvf& raf manning A time for hearing these and other complaints of a like nature" '
 The Commissioner said he was here also to- determine general conditions relative to the business of railroads and their rates, as one rate has cons siderable bearing on another. The wIde latitude of the Commerce Com mission acts. he said, allows the mem- bers to investigate numerous and va- ried conditions of the business of com mon carriers. He said the Commerce Commission had found that 1t could gain a more adequate Idea Of existing conditions by visiting the locality of complaint than by merely reading or hearing the complaints in Washing ton.
 As to the complaints of the Mont gomery Freight Bureau. Mir. Clements felt certain that they would be heard by the Commission in Montgomery. He could not say. though, how many Com missioners would come here for that purpose, Or if only an examiner would be sent here to take testimony in the cases. The Commission has found it more expedfent to hear such com p1aints in the sections of the country affected, because of the numerous witt nesses who must usually be heard.
 Both Mir. Clements and Mir. Lyon are Southerners. The Commissioners home is in Rome. Ga., while MT. Lyon is a virginian. They have been in the service about twenty years and have travelled over practically the entire country in their Investigations.
 The Interstate Commerce Commits sion Is composed of seven members. with headquarters in Washington. At the present time, only one other mem- Der is out on an Investigating trip. He is on the Pacific slope.
 The Commissioner and his attorney reached Montgomery early yesterday morning over the Western Railway of Alabama. They wee undecided last night as to when they would leave Montgomery. If they can finish up their work today, they will leave this evening for Louisville. but they may not be able to complete their labors here until Monday. In any event, their next objective point is Louisville. where they will conduct inquiries sim liar to those here.