The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-11-09
RATES not UNJUST
COMMISSION UPHoLDs INCREASE
IN SOUTH.
BY a Divided Court, Decision That
May Affect Other Important Cases,
Goes to Railroads.

UNFOLDING the sweeping advances
in rates on Southeastern traffic on
many classes and commodities, as
justified by the condition Of the rail-
roads and the needed improved facil-
tiles, the interstate commerce COM
mission at Washington Saturday, in
a divided decision dismissed cases
instituted by the railroad commits
sion of Alabama and Georgia and
the A. P. Morgan Grain company
and others.
The decision may have an impOr-
tant bearing on other pending cases
the Southwestern shippers case,
which was heard by the commission
and taken under adyisement and the
wholesale increases In rates by the
railroads generally, now suspended
by the commission pending investlga-
tion. The decision involves the At
lantic Coast Line, the Louisville &
Nashville and other roads as defend
ants.
The advances involved were made
on August l, 1908, and the majority
opinion written by Commissioner
Cockerill held that they were not
found to be unjust, unreasonable nor
unduly discriminatory. The decis-
ion covered the advances generally
to Georgia, Alabama, Florida and
the Carolinas from Ohio and Missis-
sippi river crossings. The majority
opinion holds that both the adjust
ment OF rates between Birmingham
and Atlanta and the advances made
August l, 1908, were based on in
creased taxation and on the prices
Of material and labor.
1.-THE condition of most of the rail
roads in this section Of the coun-
try" says the majority opinion, lis
not yet up to the highest standard
and in order that their facilities may
be improved and extended to the ul-
innate lasting advantage of the peo-
pie Of the South, 1t Is necessary that
the carriers be permitted to charge
rates that are, fully compensatory
for the services they perform so long
as such rates have not been shown
to be unjust, unreasonable, or ex-
cessive with respect to the public.
We are unable to hold that an ad-
vance is unreasonable because some
part of the benefit therefrom will
accrue to a carrier that during the
period of the last ten years has reg
ularly paid interest on it's total bond
ed debt and in addition thereto has
recently paid dividends upon its
stock"
1t was alleged that these increases
were only part of general ad-
vance made OF to be made in the
freight rates throughout the South
The decision, however, Is confined
TO the specific matters now In is:ue,
| the commission says. and is not to
Df construed as extending o>yonG
hem or as indicating in any 'iegree
approval of other further advances
in rates. The advances were in
meats, -four, grain, packing house
products, ETC., mostly time freight
that must be moved promptly, the
wheat and corn milled In transit
| without extra charge and the loss
and damage claims higher than the
average on all commodities.
:. Dissenting opinions we're filed by
Commissioners Lane and Clements
Mr.. Clements contended that there
was no justification for the threaten
ed burden upon the transportation
Of this section OF the country either
in the needs of carriers, the history
OF rates or the ability Of the public
to pay IL cents per capita more for
the staples affected
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