Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-02
IOWA RAILROAD COMMISSION
PRoMuLcATEs ORDER EF.
FEcrIvE MARCH 30.
DISC ELIMINATION MUST CEASE.
DECLARES THE COMMISSION
Long Opinion Filed, Including cempre.
hcnsive Analysis Of Express Business
iowa Manufacturers Win in I'm.
portant Rate controvsrsy-PubIie
One Of Features.
Special to Times-Republican.

II.
Des Moines, Jan. Flower rates for
| express business in Iowa, elimination
OF some OF the Determinations, fixed
proportional for joint rates, and great
er publicity OF rates SO that the pub
lie may know whether or not it is get
| ting the right rates. This is the SUD
stance OF an order OF the railroad COM
mission in effect March 80 next
The reduction in the maximum limit
of interstate rates is not very great.
but in the aggregate it Win be an enor-
nous saving to Iowa shippers. In the
graduated or package schedule the
new Illinois rates are adopted with
some slight notifications, which will
effect great saving. The merchan-
disc or pound rates are fixed at a point
between present Iowa rates and those
OF Illinois. For instance. on 100
pounds for twenty miles the rate IS
reduced from 45 to 40 cents. for fifty
miles from so to So cents, for ITO miles
from 80 to 20 cents, for 145 miles from
81 to 80 cents, for 200 miles from $1.25
to $1.05, and SO on.
The commission did not make an en-
tire new classification, as had been
advocated, nor any difference between
the rate where there is pickup and
delivery than elsewhere: but did order
that 80 per cent Of the sum of the two
locals be the joint rate over two car
riers.
Perhaps the most important part OF
the order. however, was that which re-
quires the express companies to keep
at every station or office a convenient
schedule Of express rates for the in
spection Of the public and to post
notice stating where this can be seen.
The opinion filed in the case is
long one. Secretary Wrightman OF the
Iowa Manufacturers Association, who
had much to do with pushing the case,
says that it is the most exhaustive and
comprehensive analysis of the entire
express business and discussion OF
rate and the basis of rates ever made.
The attorneys for the express COM
panies also state that the Iowa COM
mission and Attorney General Byers
went deeper into this matter than any
other agency Of inquiry. 1t is con-
hdently predicted that this will be the
basis of the case which must finally
be made before the United States SUI
and duties Of all parties with regard
to the express business.
The case was pending nearly year,
the evidence submitted was extensive
and the arguments made were unus-
ually strong The decision Of the board
covers ifty-five pages Of copy and in
1 it is discussed every phase of the sub
ject.
The Case Summed Up.
| In a sort Of summing up, or state
ment of some of the certainties Of the
case, as disclosed to the commission, it
is stated that
Il. It clearly appears that express
companies doing business in Iowa are
making an excessive and inconscionable
profit on the value Of the property
which they own and use in Iowa.
| "2. They are making an excessive
profit on the value Of their entire prop
erty which is necessarily used in the
express business.
"3. The ret profit made by these
express companies and each Of them
is excessive and unconscionable. as
public service corporations.
~. The state of Iowa must, OF ne
cessity, contribute it's fair. reasonable
proportion of these excessive profits.
What that contribution is this commits
sion must determine as best it can upon
the evidence introduced.
IS 1t clearly appears that there are
many determinations in the express
business.
"It is claimed that there are inherent
defects in the present method Of MAX
ing express rates. While there may
be merits in this claim. yet we do not
believe 1t wise for single state like
ours to attempt to reconstruct and revo-
lutonize the system. 1t is our opinion
that the interests OF this state would
be best served by keeping in the line OF
progress with other states. remember
| ing that a large number Of states are
/ at this time conscientiously working on
express problems"
After giving a table showing the
rates in this and other states and re-
tferring TO rates in foreign countries the
commission says:
| "a careful study Of this table dis
closes the fact that different condi-
tons in different states have had their
influence in moulding rates. Length Of
haul, amount Of traffic, nearness to
great distributing centers, etc, have
I undoubtedly been potent factors in
their making. The true significance Of
these comparisons. however, for our
purpose, is that the table clearly shows
that Iowa is contributing It's reason
able proportion to the earnings Of ex
press companies. We do not forget the
fact that the long hauls and interstate
business furnish greater percentage
OF these earnings than the short f1auls
and the interstate business; but we
can not get away from the conclusion
that interstate business Is made up
wholly Of business originating, term
mating or passing thru different states,
that each state is a factor in the inter-
state problem, and we can not lose sight
LOT Iowas contribution to the swelling
of net earnings"
nssirsbi!ity Shown.
Regarding the desirability Of a de-
crease in express rates for the purpose
of increasing business the commission