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

If the Mississippi Central, testllleu G
hat he could not controvert either S
he statement of facts or conclusions {
of Mr.. Steele. Mr.. Emerson, who
was the general freight agent of the t
Mississippi Central road at. the time
this complaint was filed testified that
the Mississippi Central then favored
the petition. There is no showing
that that position has changed Mr.
Steele stated that the position of the
Gulf and Ship Island road IS one OF
neutrality. No testimony was given |
on behalf of the Mobile, Jackson and |
Kansas City road, which apparently
takes no active part in the contro-
versy, but complainant alleges that
this road is really favorable to its
contention.
Numerous northern and eastern
roads that were made defendants al
lege that they have no part in fixing
these rates; that they are controlled
by the southern lines. General Freight
Agent Hattendorf, of the Illinois Cen
trail, testified that no one of the lines
entering Hattiesburg, or all of them
together, could establish the rates
prayed for, but that if the Illinois Cen
trail should establish those rates they
would at once be established by all
of the other lines.
Much reference is made to an order
of the Mississippi commission rela-
tive to grain rates from Vicksburs
to Meridian, and it is assumed by
some of the defendants that this is 4
proper measure of probabN results
from changes at Hattiesburg. Briefly
stated, the facts, as we understand
them, are that the Alabama and
Vicksburg road established a so-called
rebilling rate from Vicksburg to Me
ridian of 31a cents per 100 pounds on
grain, stated to be applicable only on
grain coming to Vicksburg over the
Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific
road. 1t was found that grain was
being forwarded from Vicksburg on
this rebilling rate, regardless of its
origin, and that the Vicksburg grain
dealers were thereby given an advan-
tage over dealers at other points,
which. in the view of the Mississippi
commission was unlawful. It there
upon ordered that this so-called rebill-
ing rate should be open alike to all!
The validity of this order was suS
tanned by the Supreme Court of Mis-
sissippi and by the Supreme Court OF
the United States. See Alabama and
Vicksburg Ry. Co. VS.. Mississippi r
R. Commission, 203 U. s., 496. Thi'
order of the Mississippi commission
was made in November, 1908, ans
stood enjoined until decision wa
rendered by the Supreme Court o
the United Staes in December, 1906
IT therefore had no effect or influ
ence whatever upon the general pres
ent adjustment of rates at Jackson
Meridian. and Hattiesburg, whlc
were. so far as Jackson and Merida
are concerned, relatively the sam
for wears before that time, and SUI
stantially so also so far as Hattie'
burg is concerned.
Complainant argues that If the II
Ifluence of the Mississippi river
controlling it is impossible to den
to Hattiesburg, as against Merdlal
: the benefit of it's proximity. The di
lance bv rail from Hattiesburg
. vicksburg is less than from Merida
to Vicksburg, and from Hattiesbul
, TO Natchez practically the same
= from Meridian to Vicksburg.
The relationship of rates at JAG
= son and Meridian is of long standli
=. Some differences of opinion and IL
:, Outstanding with relation to the
origin are expressed, but it is O
vious that the Mobile and Ohio ra
- and from st. Louis to Meridian
, low rates as the Illinois Central ma
tains TO Jackson; and for the same re
. sons the Illinois Central will mainta
:, at Jackson as favorable rates as Il
= Mobile and Ohio maintains ut NJ
, ridian. The rates of the Alaban
= Great Southern and its connection
II from Cincinnati AMI points bash
h thereon to Meridian must be mat
O. with relation to the rates from
II Louis to Meridian and, if the Cinci
q. natl line and It's connections are
: participate in any traffic from Ct
cinnati to Jack3)n theJ must haul
to Jackson at the sane rate they l
1t ceive 20 Meriiia1.
# The Mobile a1d Ohio n'aking Il
II rate from st. Louis TO Meridian ecu
= to the Illinois Contra rate from S
Y Louis to Jackson, it follows that
- the Illinois Central ard its connection
the fact that the Alabama and Wick