Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-25
VIRGINIA BOARDS TAKE
HAND IN THE FIGHT
Battle Waeed by Many Trade Or
PLANTATIONS Results In Reduction:
Called for Bewteen Cincinnati ano
Chattanooga and May Have Far
reaching Effect.
fBy Associated Press,

Material reductions upon the number
Cd classes OF freight between Cincin-
natl. ohio, and Chattanooga, Tenn,
were ordered today by the Interstate
Commerce Commission. The present
rates. which have been in effect many
years, we're held to be unreasonable,
even in prevailing conditions OF cost
OF railway operation. The reductions
will become effective July 10Th, next.
The reductions ordered by the com
missin on each OF the six classes OF
freight, between Cincinnati and Chat
tanooga, are as follows, In cents, per
hundred pounds:
First. 10 to 30; second. 60 to 60;
third, 81 TO SO; fourth. AZ to A; fifth.
40 to SO: and sixth. 30 TO 29. These
rates, by order of the commission.
must remain in effect, beginning on
the 18th of July for at least two years.
Roads viii Contest.
II is not only reasonably certain
that the roads will contest the com
MISSIONS order. but also that II the
rates should continue in effect. their
operation will result in a reduction of
the sea-and-rail rates from Atlantic
ports TO points of destination, in the
interior OF the South.
The order of the commission was
issued IN connection with an opinion
| In the case OF the Receivers and Ship
pers Association of Cincinnati against
The Cincinnati. New Orleans *
Texas Pacific Railway and other in
terstate carers in the South.
Virginia Boards in Fight.
| Before the final hearing of the
question involved. the Merchants AS
ISOLATION of Boston, the Business
Mems Association OF Holyoke, and
the Boards OF Trade of Salem and
Springfield. Mass. and of Portland.
Maine; the Trades League, of Phila
telphia; the Merchants Association OF
New York; the Chamber OF Com
merce. of Richmond. Va; the Board
OF Trade. of Norfolk. Va; the Cham
Der of Commerce. of Petersburg: the
Merchants and Manufacturers Assoc
iation of Baltimore and the indianap-
Oils Freight Bureau became inter
veners.
| In a subsequent case, brought
by the Chicago Association OF
Commerce. against the PennsyI-
yania Company and other car
/ tltlS. dH tuOil was tua1F W cttOtt
lower rates from Chicago to points in
the South than the combination OF
| the local rates through Cincinnati.
In ali OF the cases involved the same
points.
Basis Of Complaints.
| The basis OF the complaints was the
rates on the numbered classes OF
freight from the Central West. re-
ported by Chicago and Cincinnati to
various points in the South were too
high. rs compared with the rates upon
the same classes from points OF
origin in the East TO the same points
in the South.
II was held by the commission. in
the opinion written by Commissioner
Prouty. that II was not apparent that
rates from the East discriminate
against the West. although it was con-
ceded that the rates from Cincinnati
10 Chattanooga were Sd high as to be
unreasonable. The commissioner adds.
however. that II distance is to be
taken as the standard. rates from the
complaining cities are much higher
than from their rival trade centers
upon the Atlantic seaboard; but
where water competition enters as a
factor. some different basis Of COM
LARSON than distance mus; be found.
Important Points
Three notably important points are
made in the opinion. ali OF which are
applicable to transportation OF
freight throughout the country. In
the commissions words. these are:
The East and the West find com
mon market in this section Of the
South and in determining whether the
present rates from the West are
reasonable ones. the inquiry Is the
mvement Of traffic under the present
rates. The fair inference from the
testimony seems 20 be that the rela-
ton In rates between the Fast and
the West. which has been In effect for
.he las; third Of a century. does not
today abnormaily promote the move
ment OF traffic from either section
Neither the Fast nor West has any
vested right to sell q certain amount
tn this southern territory. Each sec-
ton T. entitled to a reasonable rate
and TO do what bushes u can under
that rate.
"A railroad Il entitled 70 a fair re-
turn upon the value Of the property
devoted BY Il to the pubic use. bot
u Is nos entitled to have fAat proper
~ PAID Tor BY The public."t