New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-27
SUSPENSION OF TARIFFS
Advances in Freight on Lumber,
Slaves and Cement Deferred.
INQUIRIES BY COMMISSION
Over 600 Interstate Carriers Are
Defendants-Delay in Hear
ings Denied.

Washington, Oct es.-An order was issued
to-day suspending the tariffs on slaves.
headings and lumber recently filed with
the commission by the transcontinental
freight bureaus agents. The rates pro-
posed in the tariffs suspended are consid-
cradle advances over the present rates
from all Eastern points Of origin to desti-
nations West as far as Pacific Coast ter
minals- The tariffs were to have become
effective on November Is. 1910. They are
suspended until March Is, 1911 Meantime.
the commission viii conduct an inquiry
into the reasonableness of the proposed ad-
vances and announce its decision.
The defendants IN the proceeding IN
clude all Of the important interstate car
riers in the United States-over six hundred
in number.
Announcement also was made by the
commission Of the issuance Of an order
suspending the proposed advance in rates
on cement, fled by several Western lines.
The tariffs were to have become effective on
November / 1910. They are suspended I'm
til March l. 1911.
An investigation into the reasonableness
OF the proposed advances will be made by
the commission prior to the expiration Of
the suspension order. The one hundred
and seventy-six roads participating in these
riffs are made defendants in the proceed
ing, no date for which has yet been fixed.
Proposed advances in rates on livestock
between Missouri River transfers and Miss
issippi River transfers and Chicago were
suspended to-day by the commission, pend
ing an investigation Of their reasonable
ness The tariffs were 10 have become ef-
fective on November 1. and are suspended
until December 10. 1910. The commission
will give q hearing respecting the reason
sbleness Of the proposed increases at Kan
sas City on October %.
BY a decision OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission handed down to-day, 1t is not
lawful for interstate freight carriers 70 adj
vance the rates on shipments during the
period OF their transportation.
BY direction Of President Taft Chairman
Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission has replied to a letter sent TO the
President by former Representative Jeffer-
son NJ. Levy, of New York. complaining
that the railroads Of the country were suf-
fering from undue delay on the part Of the
commission in passing upon the proposed
freight rate increases and criticising some
OF the commissioners because Of their alb
scence from Washington during g part Of
the summer. Mr.. Levy declared that by
Withdrawing the new rates filed in the
spring the railroads had acted in good
faith in the belief that the government
would act in the same manner IN expedit-
ing the hearings.
In his reply 70 Mr.. Levy Chairman Knapp
says, IN part: TT is true that two mem
bers of the commission attended the in
( IN
land in July and that other members have
obtained a little relief from work during
the vacation season. But it is not true
/ that this has delayed a single day the in
vestigation of a question of great national
/ Importance. The commission was prepared
to take up this matter almost Immediately.
/ ard the record shows that delays and post
ponements have been in all cases at the
request OF the carriers"
The representatives Of the Western ship
pers will be heard in Chicago next week.