The daily sentinel., 1910-09-01
MAY SECURE
REFUND Of
EXCESS RATES

A matter OF considerable SpeCula-
tion locally is whether the incoming
shippers of the Grand valley will be
able to recover in the future the ex-
cess freight rates, under the recent
interstate commerce commission rul-
ing. Denver has already taken the
matter under consideration and there
may be something doing along that
line before long.
As result of suits recently filed
by Missouri river shippers against the
railroads entering Missouri river ter
ritory from the East, all the trans
continental roads may be compelled
TO refund shippers the difference be-
tween the class rates now in effect
into that territory and into Colorado
common point territory, and the rates
ordered in the Missouri river and
Kindel cases.
The suits ask that the roads be
compelled to refund the difference be-
tween the class rates now in effect
and those ordered in the Missouri riv-
er case, stating as a ground for action
that the interstate commerce commits
sion ordered the reduced rates and
that the order was upheld by the
supreme court. Colorado shippers
are in the same position with regard
to class rates from Chicago and Mis-
sissippi river points, since the com
mission in the Kindel case ordered
heavy reductions and the supreme
court upheld the order at the same
time IL took action on the Missouri
river case
The railroads have asked for new
trials in both cases and the supreme
cert will pass upon the application
aLoat October /. In the meantime
TIE railroads are charging the old
rates no new tariffs having been
lssued. The Missouri river shippers
contend that they are entitled to the
benefit of the reduction granted them
by the commission, since 1t was up
held by the supreme court.
III the shippers win the railroads
VIII be compelled to refund hundreds
OF thousands of dollars throughout
the western country. Just what ac-
ton Denver shippers will take in the
matter will not be determined for
| several weeks yet and 1t is probable
that nothing will be done until the
supreme court has passed upon the
| application of the railroads for a new
trial
f. w. Maxwell. traffic manager of
the Colorado Manufacturers associa
ton, is now in Chicago attending the
hearing of the application of the
Western railroads to increase their
| commodity rates In Transmissouri
| territory. He will later visit St.
Louis. Kansas City. Omaha and other
Western shipping centers to learn
what action will be taken by the var
ious shippers associations. He will
| be gone two weeks and upon his re-
turn Will make some recommendation
to the Manufacturers association as
TO what he considers the best course
| TO pursue as to Denver
In the kindel case heavy reductions
were ordered in all class rates be-
tween Chicago and Mississippi river
points on the one hand and Colorado
Common points on the other was
| made more than year ago. The
railroads then obtained an order in
the federal court at Chicago restrain
ing the commission from putting the
reduced rates into effect. The com
mission appealed to the supreme
court and that body in an opinion
handed down several months ago. up-
held the order of the commission,
Many large shippers now contend
that they are in a position to main
tain action against the railroads for
the recovery of what they have paid
on shipments of class freight in excess
OF the rates ordered by commission.