The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-05

own she must secure the benefits and
tricks of trade which are absolutely nee
essary for competitive commerce. Are
you going to lie down in the manner that
has been so marked in the past, or are
you going to rise up in recognition OF
your undoubted rights, and meet the rail-
road companies with facts that are in
vincible. and in way that will allow no
hedging from what is fair and just?
Some of. the Evils.
zone special matter for adjustment is
that of transcontinentai commerce. both
from cur eastern states and the Orient
in its application of terminals and rates.
Utah should be represented in the mat
ter of a uniform classification and in
rates. both local and otherwise.
e I'VE shall endeaYor to bring about a
more satisfactory method of handling
claims. The method in vogue with the
railroads where a claim for simple over
charge is held for six months. a year,
and sometimes two years, before being
finally settled is entirely unca1led-for. AS
an instance of what could be done I
might suggest that the claim presented
to the railroad have a clause attached to
manded on this claim at time of settle
ment for elapsed time in excess of thirty
days from date of claim. at the rate OF
6 per cent This would have a tendency
for much quicker service, which they are
in position TO give in any case
Another perniciOus abuse Is the neces-
sity of the owner of freight to release it
at owners risk, or accept the alternative
of paying 70 per cent additional to the
regular rate for carriers risk There can
be but one legal rate under the ruling
of the commission. How many among
you have suffered through this abuse? In
line with this there is the method of
releasing freight at a certain value far
below its actual worth.
You should endeavor to establish COM
modify rates on various commodities for
the resultant profit 10 the jobber and de-
creased cost OF living to the consumer.
You should endeavor to bring about a
definite manner in which the long and
short haul may be applied; the present
method places the shipper in a constantly
challenging mood as to the fairness of
its application to his consequent detri-
ment.
That Sam Lloyd Puzzle.
''You should endeavor to assist in ma
terially changing that Sam Lloyd puzzle,
commonly known as the western classifi-
cation. which places various articles and
Synonymous ones in conflicting classifi-
cation until even the most expert classi-
fier in existence cannot hope to unravel
what its direct application should be.
AS an inducement to secure quicker
service in the handling of freight in gen
eral YOU should seek to establish recip-
rocal demuTTage charges.
THE bureau should be with various
other traffic organizations to help push
the idea of the publicity of railroad ac-
counts Nnefc the cost per Ton pei nile
can readily be applied to any certain COM
modify. enabling a shipper to meet the
railroad company on an actual basis,
rather than on a presumptuous one.
LAS attributes in following out the above
plan the bureau should collect and MAIN
tain a complete file of tariffs, rules, and
for precedence sake keep on hand laws
relating to railroads, findings and deci-
sOns of the interstate commerce commits
sion and of the various state railroad
commissions. which it should be in con-
slant touch with
1T should be in position to handle
freight claims of any description and
confirm rates charged for articles on
freight bills.
ut should be able to furnish to its
members general freight data which can
be relied upon.
To Furnish Information.
For the benefit of manufacturers who
contemplate making Utah a field for their
operations, it should be prepared to fur
nish them such information relative to
distributive rates and railroad Conditions
in general as will hasten their decisions.
The bureau should not make it point
to antagOnize the railroad companies. but
should conduct its methods in fair and
Just manner and outside of the fact that
the truth sometimes hurts. ii should main
tain such harmonious relations as the
lintermingied interests Of railroads and
shippers demand.
LAS a fitting climax. and to include
anything | might have omitted in the
foregoing will say that the bureau in its
action will resemble that of a clearing
house, for the shippers to handle all mat
tiers pertaining to freight conditions, bar
ring nothing. Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) H. L. JOHNSON