The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-07-20

lOCdl RATE.
Defendants present numerous in |
stances in which higher rates for short |
err hauls are JUSTIFIED by different con-
ditions and circumstances, and COM
pare the differential rates to Hatties-
burg with local rates to other points
for similar distances, but the compar-
isons so adduced, which appear to be
favorable to Hattiesburg, apparently
all come back to the fact that the New
Orleans and Northeastern railroad
has accorded Hattiesburg differential
rates under a zone system of ADJUST
ing its rates, which probably is as far
as it has been able to go in line with
the conviction of it's traffic officers
as to what is right and just without
the cooperation of its connections,
which, apparently, it has been unable
to secure.
Defendants call attention to the fact
that as a result of the order of the
Mississippi commission above
referred to, the rate on grain
from st. Louis to Hattiesburg is the
same, whether via Vicksburg, Nat
chez, New Orleans, or Mobile, and that
any of those points can ship grain
from st. Louis and reship to Hatties.
burg at the same total rate as the
direct through rate from st. Louis
to Hattiesburg. This, however does
not alter the fact that grain is-hauled
from the north and west through
Jackson to Meridian and through
Hattiesburg to Meridian at lower rates
than apply at Hattiesburg, and is
permitted to be hauled through Hat
tiesburg to Jackson at lower rates
than apply at Hattiesburg.
Defendants argue that to give Hat
tiesburg the same rates as Meridian
would be a gross discrimination
against certain junction points in
that neighborhood. such as Laurel,
Newton. Ellisville, and Lumberton
and this again invites the reply Of
complainant that the rates at Me-
ridian have not forced reductions at
such places. These places, however,
are within certain groups established
| by the New Orleans and Northeastern
and Alabama and Vicksburg lines,
and thus take the same rates as Hat
! tiesburg. Whether or not a change
in the adjustment at Hatiesburg
would force or Justify continuance
| of those groups is a question upon
which we have no information and
! therefore cannot decide.
| Defendants witnesses testified that
reduction in the rates to Hattiesburg
would practically be borne by the
trunk lines. This because the less
made up of a competitive water or
important connecting roads generally
have divisions of the rates based on
percentages and with fixed minima,
nized as the lowest division which
those lines could be expected to take.
The combination of rates from st.
Louis to Meridian, plus the differe-
ntials fixed by the New Orleans and
| Northeastern, makes the through rates
to Hattiesburg on ALL or substantially
all, classes excepting grain and grain
products and packing house products.
On grain from st. Louis to Vicksburg.
New Orleans, or Mobile the rate is
~ cents per 100 pounds. To this is
added the rate of 7 cents from Vicks-
burg to Hattiesburg, thus making
rate of 10 cents. to Hattiesburg. The
rate from St Louis to either Meridian
or Jackson is the Vicksburg rate of
- cents plus 21a cents, or Az cents,
ia which would be added the New Or
leans and Northeastern differential
of cents, making a total Of 199H
cents to Hattiesburg.
On packing house products the rate
makes on Meridian or Jackson, be.
ing 351a cents plus 5 cents, or 4O1z
cents. Via New Orleans the rate
would be 80 cents plus 1872 cents,
or 511a cents.
The rates from the east to Hatties
burg are made by adding the New |
leans and Northeastern dfferentials |
to the rates from the east to Meridian. !
The rates to jackson are the same
as to Meridian. 1t is argued by de-
that Meridian is a highly
point for traffic from the
EAST as we'll as from the west, and
hat the adjustment from the east IS
influenced by the adjustment from
he west.
The railroad commissioners of the
tate of Mississippi found that, IN
ne matter of rates, Hattiesburg is
ntitled to be treated as a competi
We point, it's circumstances and con-