The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-03-15

in coast terminal rates and a grad
applying to the interior points. A
full set of proposed rates was drawn
up covering transcontinental ship
ments.
The transcontinental lines, how
ever. are not agreed as to what
changes can or should be made in
the class and commodity rates to
the west. That the railroads may de-
eide. in view Of coming important
developments in conditions-notably
the opening of the Panama canal
to adopt an entirely new plan of
meeting water competition seems
probable from some Of the proposals
which will come before this weeks
meeting of the roads in Chicago.
Two Tariffs to Coast Suggested.
Two different westbound tariffs,
each to contain a different scale of
rates. have been suggested to coast
points. one to be considered strictly
water competition tariff, naming
rates to Pacific coast terminals only
on shipments which are subject to
water competition, the other 10 name
rates to the coast on commodities
which are not materially effected by
water competition, and carry high
er basis and apply to intermediate
points on the same line.
Important changes are proposed
on some articles on the ground tina:
they are not water borne commodi-
ties. The following propositions have
been made:
First-To continue the existing
rates except to make the New York
rates apply to all common points.
Second-To continue present rates
from Chicago and points west there
of and apply same rates to interme.
date points. cancelling present
through rates from points east
Chicago.
Third-Increase present rates to
Pacific Coast terminals and apply
such rates to Intern ediate points
The proposed action of the trans
continental lines is. they contend,
forced upon them by changing con-
ditions. Apparently they must ar
range to meet or ignore for the pres
ent water competition via the Te-
hauntepec route and prepare for
changed conditions resulting from
the prospective completion of the
Panama canal in 1913
The carriers will not hear shippers
at this weeks meeting. as it is nee
essarv to close March Is in order that
those in attendance may be at Wasr-
ington on March 20 to take part in
the hearing before the Commerce
~
the carriers are petitioners for re-
lief from the long and short haul
clause of the commerce act. 1t is
probable that shippers will be given
a hearing at some future date. after
the transcontinental lines have recon-
ciled their different views and are
prepared to submit definite PROPOSE
tons. accompanied by figures.
Benefit to North west.
The transcontinental lines are I'M
doubtedly preparing for the inevita-
BILE which will naturally follow with
the opening the Panama canal wnen
they must meet water competltior.
These new conditions also means the
greater DEVELOPMENT of the seaports
of the coast and particularly the har~
DOT dt the Houln oI the ColuWDld
river. which development must come
because Of it's logical position where
rails meets sails with gravity
grade from the wheat and grain di &
tricts of the northwest.
With the opening of the canal
which even the railroads anticipate
will be done in 1913. will come a
tariff on fruit that will certainly
prove advantageous to the Pacific
northwest. Instead Of a rate of s235
a refrigerator car. there will rate
of only IS a ton, or about 500 a
car and an eleven day service from
the mouth Of the Columbia to New
York City,