The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-05
STEAMBOAT RATES
WILL TAKE UP ISSUE ' MONDAY.
Ceai Dealers of Mobile Are Also Inter- ested in Meetings of the Com- nsfrsioa. Which VIII Rule
 on Barge Matters.


 Important and varied matters are down on the docket of the Alabama Railroad Commission for the regular monthly meeting of that body tomor- row and Tuesday.
 Probably the most interest attaches to the action to be taken on the tariffs of the steamboat companies operating on the Alabama and Tombigbee Riv- CTS 1t is expected that tomorrow a final ruling will be made in these cases which have been pending for over two months It may be that the tariffs, which show a few increases in certain commodities. will be ap- proved by the Commission, and maybe not. As is natural In all cases where applications for raises .n freight rates are made. several protests have been entered against the advances In steam boat rates. These are to be consid- cred by the members of the Commis- sion together with the arguments of the steamboat men themselves in favor of the raises.
 No small factor in determining the equitable basis for tariffs Is the re- port that will be submitted by Chair man Charles Henderson of the Commis- sion. on the general conditions that obtain along the Alabama and Bigbee Rivers The observations of Chairman Henderson were made while on an in- spect,on tour of the streams. in com pany of Secretary s. P. Kennedy few days ago.
 Of considerable interest to Democtic and barge coal dealers in Mobile will be the probable action tomorrow by the Commission on the application of the barge dealers for an extension Of time in the unloading of coal from railroad freight cars delivered at the port Of Mobile. At the last monthly meeting of the Commission this matter was discussed at considerable length put 1t was decided to postpone hnal action until the April meeting.
 differences ip considering this coal prop osition. If the extension Of time TOT unloading Is granted 1t must De so ordered as not to be a discrimination asafnst the domestic or export dealer Tn other words. there must be to the satisfaction of the body just.hable distinction between the barge coal dealer and the domestic dealer if the latter is confined to the statutory ten days limit The dealer in barge coal is the man who sells for consumption on board vessels or rather in the bunk CTS for making steam to propel the vessels, and is not to be confused with export coal.
 On Tuesday a special hearing has DeGnN mining whether the Souther Railway should be allowed to take off pas senger train on their line between Selma and Akron. A petition to do this has been filed with the Commis- sion, and in order to hear the argu- merits of counsel for the railroad and the protests of citizens on the line af- fected, it was agreed that Tuesday should should be set aside exclusively for this hearing.
 Major John c. Harris. one of the As socIate Comm. .ssioners. was In Mont Ronery yesterday. He will remain over until the meeting of the Comnnis- sion tomorrow. Major Harris an- nounced a few days ago that he would make an inspection trip on the Ten nessee River In time to make report to the Commission at th:s meeting. but he said yesterday that the task of in- specting the Tennessee alone was more than he had at first bargained for and that he had decided to postpone | the inspection until some time in May. The inspection of the Tennessee
 River B in pursuance of the general policy of the Commission to acquaint l that body with the possibility of traf- l fc deyelopment of the Alabama water ways in general. Also it will serve to arrive at an equitable basis for making | a tar:ff to apply for carrying freight on that river as we'll as the Alabama l and Bfgbee Rivers. There has been no application for advances In rates by I boatnien plying the Tennessee. River. Their tariffs are on file with the Com mission awaiting approval
 | All members of the Commission are expected to be present at the meeting l fomorroW.