The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-21
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Orders Reduction
LIN the Cost of Transporting
Citrus Fruits to Market.
FINDS A DIFFERENCE
Between Refrigeration and the
Preceding Process.
Railroads Are Charging $3.50
Car, Too Much.

Washington, Feb. 21.-Material re-
auctions are made in the cost of pre-
cooling of citrus fruits from California.
to eastern points of destination, as far
as the Atlantic coast, by a decision
handed down by the interstate com
merce commission
The decision was prepared by Com
missioner Prouty in the case of the
Arlington Heights Fruit exchange of
Los Angeles and other fruit shippers
OF California against the Southern Pa
clf1c company and all transcontinentaI
carriers, including express companies.
Inc case is regarded as one of the
most important that the commission
mas heard for many months.
The opinion of the commission holds
that the defendants present charges
for refrigeration of citrus fruits in
transit from California points to the
east are not unreasonable; but the
commission diferentiates between re-
frigeration and preceding. The COM
mission says preceding as practiced
by the shippers, differs from that fur
n1shed by the carriers. The two meth
DDS are discussed elaborately and the
conclusion is reached that while it
can not be affirmed with entire conf
dence that preceding can take the
place of standard refrigeration under
all the circumstances, it is evident the
great bulk OF the orange crop may be
moved by preceding as applied by the
shippers"
In determining what is reasonable
charge for furnishing refrigeration for
the movement of citrus fruits from
California to eastern markets, nothing
should be added by reason of the fact
that refrigerator car is used, since
that has been taken into account in
establishing the rate of transportation,
nor for the service of inspection which
is substantially the same for all ship
ments; but the expense of transport
ing the additional weight of the ice
and for repair to the ice bunkers
should be considered.
Upon the facts disclosed by the
record, it must be found that precool-
method which the compliments are
anxious to use and for the efficiency
| of which they are willing to stand re-
| sponsible, while the method advocated
! by the carriers Is of doubtful prac-
| ticability and one which the complain
ants do not dare to use aud which the
defendants are unwilling to guarantee.
In view of the circumstances under
| which these oranges are transported,
| it is the duty of the carrier to furnish
refrigeration On reasonable demand and
| insofar as the furnishing of that re-
| frigeratIon is part of the service rem
| dered by the carrier, the carrier may
| insist upon its right to furnish that
| service exclusively OUT II appears LnaC
the service of preceding, as these ship
pers desire to use it can only be per-
! formed by the shippers themselves and
! the commission thinks that upon the
present record it is the right of these
complainants to precool and preice
their shipments. If, however. the car
rier has been put to an additional ex-
| pense in tire furnishing of the car or in
| handling of the shipment it should be
allowed proper compensation upon that
| account.
| Carriers are not in case of these
preceded shipments entitled to addi-
| tional compensation by reason of the
| fact that a refrigerator car is furnish
| ed, but they are entitled for repairs TO
| ice bunkers to an additional charge per
| car per trip one way
The present charge of the defendants
| lines for preceding citrus fruits is 500
| 8 car. This is found by the commits
| sion to be unreasonable to the extent
| it exceeds $3.50 a car. It is ordered
| therefore that beginning April /. 1911,
| for a period of at least two years, the
| charge for preceding shall not exceed
| $3.50 car provided that the 7recooled
| cars be loaded with boxes of oranges
| seven tiers vide and two tiers high.
| The carriers may also provide by their
tariff proper minimum weight, the
| amount of which is to deDend upon the
|