The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1910-07-15
HOW The GROWERS
ARE UP AGAINST IT


Federal court of the northern district, |
ior decision on the injunction filed by |
the Southern Express Co., against the
reduction of rates within the state for
express shipments of all kinds. Judge
Sheppard took the injunction under
consideration June 18th and promised a
decision in ten days.
The commission not only ordered a |
reduction of % per cent on expires IS
rates, but also change of classified a.
tlon between all points in Florida. |
This rate was to have been effective
dune 18TH but the Southern Express
Co., filed the injunction that day, which
is being consid bred by Judge Sheppard.
The express rates in this state are
eXtortionately high and have been for
years. There has been no reduction
since the formation of the railroad
commission lS years ago, and the COM
missioners feel that it was unjust on
part of the express company to ask for
the injunction. Commissioner Burr
was asked in regard to the reduction
on pineapple rates, which has caused so
much trouble by growers within the
State. He said:
"We have received number of Pc
titons from all over the fruit and vege-
table producing part of the state ask
ing us to investigate the matter of
these rates from the points of ship
ment to the Florida base points when
they are intended for shipment beyond;
or, in other words, beyond the State
line. The Interstate commerce COM
mission, in the decision which was rend
cred in the early part of this year, made
reductions on these commodities from
base points to the markets, but they
only reduced pineapples from the ship
ping point to the base point on the
East Coast Railroad, leaving out vege-
tables and oranges also leaving out
these commodities on all the other lines
up to the base point.
"We have already held some OF the
investigations and will begin July IL to
hold others, after which the balance OF
these points which have been petitioned
will be visited in the latter part OF
.July. after which the commissioners
will determine what action they should
take. The state law requires that the
railroad commissioners shall investigate
these interstate rates and if they are
found to be unjust or unreasonable,
that they shall make up a just ana
reasonable set of rates and call upon
the transportation lines affected TO
operate them, and in the event that
thew decline, then to appeal the ques'
tion TO the Interstate commerce com
mission. This will be the course pur
sued if the commissioners decide u
make reductions in these rates, W.
hope to finish up all these hearings our
mo the month of July, after when W.
will reach a conclusion as quickly al
possible. ..ur 90,
Concerning express rates VIII Sd.
,Lot ,ba commission made up sched
n,a If evnress rates on all fruits AM
,,o,.tahles from Florida points to mar
ssr noints south of the Ohio and Poto
mar rivers. which reduces the rate
t,om Florida points to the territory
named considerably, The Southern
ryoress Co., wa, called upon to opef
49, those rates hut declined to DO SO
,,a T., .ccordauca with our statute
nsri,,on was prepared and the matte
a,.J before the Interstate commere
COMMISSION, We are expecting IN
Tn.,r,+or, commerce commission to n
' 1,,s far Che hearing If this complain
- sooo as they can leach 1t on the'
'o T,ssdoy the Southern Express TO-
e,,s 8naI briefs witt Judge Sheppar
-" ~ the Federal court in the matter n,
ra3nced exvres, within the state lh'
'fI ,,',,,4 ,a,e, cannot 80 into effect ur
Il, the iudgs returns his decision on I'll
i,i,ncrior. The express company d
Ivy time Of filing their brief notlne
, ,t( railroad commissioners at la''S
hosses that the new rate Will never y
"t in unless ordered by the supre!'
a,rt If the United States. alter IL
,a,;no As the supreme cour'
washington has adjourned un,'i WV
hsr nothing can,be done unti' .nen, ;,
This is further scheme OF tne oou ~.
. 49,. Evnress Co., to continue WIZ" rol
hing rates charged Tor l"e n NV o,t :