Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-07-01
COMMISSIONER kETcHUM ISSUES
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO
WILSON'S CRITICISMS.
FACTS WRONGLY STATED
IN REGARD TO SHIPMENTS
Racing sulky and Not Bicycle on
Which Charges Were Hieh-Com-
mission To Take Up Question Of
Special Rates Where Charges Are
Prepaid.

Special to es-Republican.
Des Moines, July IA news item in
this correspondence a few days ago in
which James H. Wilson, former can
didate for lieutenant governor and for
railroad commissioner, related what
were actual express charges on certain
articles coming under his attention,
attracted the attention Of Railroad
Commissioner Ketchum and he makes
the following statement in regard to
the same:
Il notice that James H. Wilson of the
document department in the state
house is quoted as saying that it cost
him, or his boys, SO to ship an I'M
Grated bicycle from Adair by express.
AS a matter of fact. as 1 remember it,
the shipment in question was from
Menlo to Des Moines. The article
shipped was not bicycle but was, in
fact, racing sulky and was shipped
with the shafts on, with the wheels
taken off and tied together. Express
classification No. 20 provides that il
this sulky had been shipped properly
knocked-dow and boxed or Grated the
charge would have been $3.50. 1t was,
however, not boxed or Grated, conse-
quently took the SO minimum. This
charge has never been complained OF
in this state so far as any knowledge
of the commission is concerned. These
sulkies take up a great deal Of room
in a car and are liable to injury on
account Of their light construction.
| The commissioners had thought the re-
| quirements were not unreasonable.
However, If Mr.. Wilson or anybody else
| desires to make an application for
| change the commission will be very
glad to consider it. Had this ship
ment really been a bicycle as stated
| in the article which I have read the
charge would have been so cents if
Grated or 81 if not Grated. 1t might
not be out Of place to mention right
here that the commissioners made a
| big reduction in all express rates in
| this state which were to have gone into
effect on March 80, but which are now
| enjoined by United States district
court.
with reference to the charges on
| official registers, whether right or not,
! express companies make special rate
on printed matter such as the official
registers if the express is prepaid.
This Is provided for by schedule D Of
| express CldSSillcdllO NO ~. IL
the express is not prepaid then the
regular merchandise rates apply I'm
der the circumstances if the shipper
desires to take advantage of the spe-
! cial concession the charge should be
prepaid. The question is being consid-
| cred at the present time whether an
! express company has a right to make
| a different charge when the same is
prepaid The interstate commerce COM
mission has seemed to hold in the Boise
| case that such a difference in rates
could not be sustained and this COM
mission is now looking into the mat
ter"
Only a few really safe and sane"
celebrations Will be INDUCED in by
Iowa people this year. One of them is
to be at the boys industrial school at
Eldora, which is guaranteed to be en-
tirely within the rule Of safe and sane
simplicity. Rev. W. E. Stanley will
deliver the Fourth Of July Grafton.
there will be reading of the 'declara-
ton" music and a program Of sports
and games for the boys. The Eldora
industrial school print shop got up a
fine printed program. The celebra-
tons at about dozen other state in
situations will also be quite safe but
not all will be sane.
The state board of control is out to
buy about 100000 tons Of Iowa coal for
use at the state institutions and has
received bids on the same. Awards
will soon be made. The board has gen.
orally been fortunate in securing fair
price on it's coal. Last year after the
state had purchased the coal the oper-
ators got together and raised the price
for the Des Moines school corporation
with the result that the school district
bought the coal in open market and
saved money on the deal.
Members Of the state executive coun-
ell say they are very much grat1hed
that Frank Pierce, connected with the
league Of municipalities and tax re-
form associations, is to appear before
their body in connection with the
assessment of the railroads and other
corporate property in Iowa. Mr.. Pierce
created a sensation some time ago oy
a circular letter to the county attorneys
threatening them with removal unless
thew secured compliance to the letter
with the laws in regard to local assess
ment of property. It has not been OFTEN
that anyone has shown any interest IN
this assessments business other than
those who want lower taxes. The at
torneys for the railroads, car lines, ex-
press companies and telephones usually
have 1t all their own way In the near
ines on assessment matters.