The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-08-02

ings being 72.4 per cent of the less
than-carload ratings.
In the Western classification 5,729I
s-than-carload and 1890 carload
ratings we're made, the carload rat
ings being 29.S per cent. of the less
than-carload ratings.
In the Southern Classification 32.g2I
per cent. of the less-than-carIoad rat
ings are in the 5th, 9th and lettered
classes
In the Official Classification only
125 per cent. of the less-than- carload
ratings are below fourth class.
In the Western Classification no less
than carload ratings are below fourth
class.
To reconcile such ratings, it was
evident that material advances and
reductions in rates would have to be
made, the effect of which either upon
trade I'm general or upon the revenues
of the railroads it would be difficult
to calculate.
The committee came to the con-
clusion that IL would not be prac-
ticable 20 accomplish immediate uni
fication in classification ratings by
reason of the fundamental principles
of freight classification and territorial
rate adjustments now existing in the
different sections of the country. It
was considered, in brief, that there
were two general methods which
might be used in WORKING out a sys-
tenn of Uniform Classification, viz:
I. The so-called scientific basis,
that is, classifying articles Gas pre-
| sented for transportation in respect
to their relation to one another with
out regard 20 adjustment or condition
of trade.
2. A basis which would take into
consideration not only the scientific
elements of classification but also the
necessities of trade conditions and
competition.
Careful consideration warranted
the conclusion. however, that a Uni
form classification based only on so =
called scientific principles would be i'm
practicable of adoption and operation
but that all of the various elements
| should be taken into account. II was
| felt that new conditions which will
make the ultimate settlement simpler
could be brought about gradually by
the working together of the several
classification committees toward q
common end, adding constantly to the
number of uniform ratings and modi-
flying rate scales
There was also n concensus of
opnon to the effect that there could
be developed a unfcatior of the de-
scriptions of all articles in each OF
the three claSsiiications Just as soon
as the detail work could be accom-
plished likewise, that there could be
brought about at the same time gen.
eral uniformity as to the minimum
carload weights and as to all classi-
ication rules.
TO carry these general principles
into effect, a general Executive Com
mittee has been constituted to worl,
In connection with the three terri.
torial Classification Committees and
the various rate organizations. TO en-.
deavor to shape the acton of all these
bodies toward the Common end. I'm
der the Jurisdiction of this EXecutiv,
Committee, a working committee witt
representations from each of the Clas
sfcation territories has been ap
pointed To continue tho work of uni
flying the rules. minimum weights
and descriptions of articles. II ha
established Headquarters i'm Chicag,
and will work continuously upon il
complicated task.
While that Is going on, the severa
classification committees and the var
ious rate organizations are also co
operating, adding constantly 10 tn
number of uniform ratings, and modi
= flying rate scales I'm order to brinI
about conditions which will eventual
ly enable Uniform Freight Classi
icatiOn to be established with In
minimum of friction, criticism an
trade disturbance.