Weekly journal-miner., 1909-09-01

I tue GULlulloSlOu
 The commission has laid before al
 the railways of the territory a peti
 tion for a reduction of generally on,
 cent per mile in passenger rates
 Hearings will be held on this question
 in the near future. The commission
 has formulated a reduced ton mil,
 rate basis and a class graduation ta
 ble, suggesting their adoption by al lines in the territory.
 The commission is now compiling reduced basis for class rates be tween. Arizona points and Fl Paso Albuquerque and California points which will have the effect of reducing all class rates from both east and west.
 The commission is preparing, on behalf of the Pacific Creamery com. pany of Tempe, a petition as to rates on condensed milk from Tempe to points on the Santa Fe lines.
 In addition to the above complaints which have been presented to the railroad companies, as provided by law, the commission has, on request, examined a considerable number of claims on which the action of the railways had not been satisfactory and has handled these various complaints of a minor nature apparently to the entire satisfaction of the complain ants.
 The commission has under consid- eration several questions affecting rates to various points in the terri tory but investigation has not pro- ceeded to a point which Justifies the statenent of conclusions at this time.
 Summarizing the rate situation in Arizona, as disclosed by investigation to date, it appears that while, gem orally speaking, freight rates affect ing this territory are not out of line with the rates applying to the whole intermountain country, they are, nevertheless, as a rule unreasonably high and call for a downward revis- ion. Indeed, it seems to be conceded by most traffic officials that a care ful revision of Arizona rates is neces- sary if there is to be a due regard for the welfare of the business interests of the territory. To be sure, the rates on many commodities-for example on crude oil, ores, mining machinery and mining timbers-are quite low and entirely satisfactory to shippers, some points excepted.
 If the decision of the Interstate Commerce commission in the Spo- kane case is finally accepted as the proper solution of the northwestern rate problem, it would seem neees- sarily to follow that this decision will be taken as a basis for a revision of the westbound rates to Arizona points and in fact to all intermountain ter ritory. This fact is no doubt appre- ciated by the Interstate Commerce commission, for that body is to have hearings at various points in the west within the next few months at which, it is understood, it is the intention of that commission to gather such in formation as will enable it to order intelligently a readjustment of rates throughout the Rocky Mountain re- zion. A rehearing of the Spokane case had been set by the commission for a date in June last, at Washing ton, and in order to protect the in terests of Arizona shippers the seere- tary of this commission attended the meeting. The rehearing was pOstpon- ed-in order, as above stated, that the commission might gather further evi- denee relative to the needs of the en- tire far western country. If 1t shall appear advisable, the members of this commission will attend one of the hearings and endeavor to present such facts as may be necessary in the in terest of Arizona shippers.
 - This being the first report of this commission, it's members deem it ad- visable to state the rule which in their judgment should guide their actions. And this rule may be stated in a single phrase: "Complianee with the law, in a spirit of absolute fairness and impartiality toward shipper and carrier.''
 As already stated, the commission in its investigations to date has found that Gin its judgment) the prevail ing rates in Arizona are generally too high. In it's efforts to secure read iustments of these rates, under the rule just stated, the commission does not expect. nor hope, to please ex- tremists of either side.
 Ia,