The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-07-27
The Reductions Will Probably Bring Double
Benefit to This City.
CONSUMER WILL PROFIT AND TRADE RADIUS GROW
Local Rate Expert Gives Outline Of What May Be Expected
From the Enforcement Of the Important Decision
Rendered This Week by the Interstate
Commerce Commission.

Many times during the past two days
queries have been advanced as to the
definite effect which the interstate
commerce ruling or Monday Will nave
upon the mercantile business of MIS-
soula and upon the prices to the con-
sumner In this district. In the absence
of any specific prescription of rates
by the commission, rnis information IL
not obtainable; the commission rules
that no higher charge can be made
from st. Paul points and the traffic
zone which centers there. to Missoula
than to the coast terminals. Figuring
upon the basis of the present coast
rates. which are the basis at present
and which 1t Is not regarded as likely
viii he changed. II Is possible to OBJ
tain the probable rates which VIII be
In effect from eastern points to Mis-
soula.
In connection with the decision. 1t is
interesting--especia in this city-to
note that the commissioners set forth
the fact that It was only the appica-
tion of the Dixon amendment which
made 1t possible to overcome the con-
iention of the railway, people that
they were justified in the lower coast
charges by the wording of the original
law which said that equal rates should
be charged only under substantially
similar circumstances and conditions"
The railways contended that the con-
ditions at coast points and inland
points were not substantially similar
Until the Dixon amendment struck out
this provision and generalized tho
terms of the law. the commission was
powerless to make the changes which
have at last come about, The decision
saws. referring to the Dixon amend
ment: "rhe above Is tho only change
which bears upon the question before
us"
o. G. Darlington. who has charge OF
the traffic rates of the Missoula Mer-
camille company. Is one of the rate ey-
perts of the west whose oninion Is
recognized as worthy of confidence and
consideration. A Mssoulian reporter
sought Mr.. Garlingtons views regard
ing the local situation as affected b,
the rate decision. Mr.. Garlington was
given the full text of the comm;ssion's
decision and. after studying 1t, III
said:
Basis of Decision.
ut rather looks as II people over
look the fact that the decision jus
rendered by the interstate commerc,
commission was made possible through
the efforts of United States Senate
Dixon. who secured the passage of tn
amendment to section of the act t
regulate commerce during the last ses
sion OF congress. It was by virtue o
the authority vested In the commission
after the passage of this amendmen
that this decision was written an
provided the real working basis b
which the commission WaE able t
work out their plan for the relief O
the communities that have so Ion
been disseminated against In the mat
ter Of freight rates. The people c
the Inland Empire should not take n
the credit for themselves. and the peo
Pile of Montana are especially indebte
to Senator Dixon for his assistance !
making this result possible.
General Results.
"There Is no doubt that nearly a
Montana cities win be greatly bene
fitted by this decision. or course,
is impossible to say at this early dai
just how the new tariffs will rea
- either with reference to future Goa
rates or to intermediate points, bl