The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-07-18
INTERNATIONAL
RAILWAY RATES
/
Joint Commission Proposed
Between United States and
Canadian Lines

Washington, July 1s.-Secretary
Knox has taken steps to bring about
action looking to the joint control by
the United States and Canada of in
ternattonal traffic rates of the rail-
roads Of the two countries. The
question is one of great Importance
because OF the many problems grow
Ing out Of the railroads along the
Canadian border, both American and
Canadian, which cross the line at
many points.
The secretary has designated
Chairman Martin A. Knapp of the in
terstate commerce commission as the
representative Of this government to
confer with the recently appointed
Canadian representative, ]. p. Mabee,
chairman of the railway commission
of Canada.
Upon the completion OF the confer
ence a report, with recommendations,
will be made by the representatives
either Jointly to both governments or
separately to their respective govern
ments. Out Of these recommendations
1t is probable some commercial con-
venton controllink traffic rates and
agreements among the border rail-
roads will be enteFed fnto by the Unit
ed States and Ennt.l "a. It is possible
also that legislation by each county
will be necessary to make the joint
control effective.
1t was realized that the acquisition
of Canadian terminals by American
roads and Of American roads and
terminals by Canadian railways pre-
'sented; ever-increasing difficulties.
Compel Joint Rates.
In the present circumstances, 1t is
not possible to compel railway or ex-
press companies to establish Joint
through rates to and from points in
the two countries. The Interstate
commerce commission may require
roads under its Jurisdiction to estab-
lish through routes and joint rates,
and the Canadian commission may re-
quire the lines under it's Jurisdiction
to do the same; but neither body can
compel two or more carriers to do
this with international traffic and
furnish to the shipper through bill
of lading from any point in one coun-
try to any point in the other
The reasonableness Of rates be-
tween points in this country and
points in Canada also is a question of
serious Importance to shippers. In
order to determine any given question
as to rates that may arise it is ne
cessary for the shipper to institute a
proceeding before the interstate COM
merce commission and the Canadian
railway commission and even the re-
suit Is not satisfactory.
The difficulties practically preclude
any inquiry by existing tribunals into
the reasonableness of combination
through rates as applied to interna-
tional traffic.
No power at present exists that can
require carriers engaged in this inter-
national transportation to establish
what may be officially regarded as
reasonable through joint rates and ap-
portion those rates among the par
ticipating carriers in the event of
disagreement.
May Meet in August.
The result is that the international
traffic moves upon a combination of
rates local to the United States and to
Canada, and If this sum of the local
rates is attacked it must be through
proceedings before both the United
States and Canadian commissions.
While no definite arrangements yet
have been perfected for the confer
ences, it is likely that Chairman
Knapp and Mr.. Maybee will meet in
Ottawa some time in August 1t Is
not improbable that subsequent con-
ference may he held is Washington.