Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-03-11
AS TO FREIGHT RATES.

FTODaDly one OF the greatest QueS-
tions confronting this country to-day
is that relating to freight rates and
the mode of procedure relative there
to. Unquestionably there is some vi
tai legislation badly needed on this
line.
Every now and then We have in
stances brought to our attention in
local way where unequal, and to all
appearances unjust. freight. rates
badly cripple certain enterprises and
hamper business in special lines
These instances are brought about
by reason of the fact that the rail-
roads are permitted to change rates
simply by filing notice for thirty days
with the Interstate Railroad Com
mission that such change Is proposed.
On it's face nhat would, without a
careful study. seem to be very
proper and adequate procedure, but
1T does not so far enough. OF what
service to the public is this notice to
the Interstate Railroad Commission
that rates will be changed after thir-
ty days? The shippres are the pro-
per ones to be notified. Still If, on
being notified Of proposed change
Of rates, the commission could act
and hold up the rates for considera-
tion with the ones directly affected,
there would then be some reason in
the work of the commission. But
this is not the case. After notifying
the Interstate Commission for thir-
ty days Of proposed change of rates,
they are put into effect by the rail
roads, and then, after the harm is
done, the shipper, the really interest
ed party, can protest against the
rates and during the adjustment that
follows, for months, he pays excess
in rates, and the railroad or trans
portation companies reap the benefit
In Canada, Mexico, Great Britain
and other well regulated countries
new schedules Of rates cannot be put
in force untn the Railway Commits
sion has granted a permit but in this
country the railroads can put in any
rate they desire by giving thirty
days notice and filing the schedule
with the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
This was fully and freely discuss
ed at the recent meeting Of the Ma
tional Association Of Railway Com
missioners at Washington, d. c., at
which resolution to this effect was
adopted:
That mo increase of an interstate
rate or disContinuance Of a rate eff
fecting an increase, should be per-
mitted without opportunity of pro-
test being afforded, and upon hear
ing and determining as to reasona-
bleness when objection is made, in
advance Of Nthe new rate becoming
effective"
Therein lies a remedy. When the
provisions of that resolution are car
ried out there is hope for more JUS
tice and reasonableness in the rates
that obtain in Interstate commerce
to-day. BY the terms Of the present
rule that rates may be changed upon
thC iihhS VI lotlSS WIFI tie 1nleI~
State Commission thirty days before
The rate Is made effective, the matter
of justice Is almost completely elimi-
mated. 1t Is to be hoped that in the
near future such changes may be
made in the Interstate commerce
laws as will permit a thorough in
vestigation into the justice Of rate
schedules before they are put into
effect, and abolshing the present
practice Of placing shippers at the
mercy Of the transportation compa-
nies during long, tedious and ex-
pensive system OF appeals, during all
Of which the excessive rates may be
charged.