New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-02
ORDERS EXPRESS INQUIRY
Commerce Commission to In
vestigate Interstate Companies.
WILL LOOK INTO RATES
New Tariffs Making Reductions
Not to Affect Questions
at Issue.

Washington, July IAN investigation or
ell the express companies in the United
States affected by the interstate commerce
law was ordered to-day by the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
More than a year ago a number OF the
leading commercial organizations OF the
country asked for an investigation OF the
rates and methods Of the express com
panies. The commission has been consid-
ering this request In connection with cases
against individual companies.
In its order the commission says that
complaints have been made that rates and
classihcations are in violation Of the inter-
state commerce act. The Inquiry Is ordered
Ito determine whether such rates, classl-
icatlOns, regulations or practices. or any
Of them, are unjust or unreasonable, or
unjustly discriminatory or unduly prefer
entail or prejudicial or otherwise in VIOLA
ton Of any of the provisions OF said act.
and to determine the manner and method
in which the business OF said express cora
panies, and each OF them. is conducted.
The following carriers are named in the
proceedings:
The Adams Express Company, the Amer
r. ~
press Company, the Boston and Worcester
Dispatch the Canadian Express gompany'
the Canadian Northern Express CoinPShS .
Dart & Co.'S Express, Davenport a. Ma
sons Express, the Dodd a. Chllds Express
Company, Duniaps Express C9Inpan..
Earl & Prews Express, the Globe Express
Company, the Great Northern Express
Company, the hnickerbocker Express ColI-
panv. the Mauhsttan Delivery Company'
the Morris European and American Tx
press Company, the National Express COM
pany, the New England Dlspatch COMPANY
the New England Express company, the
New York and Boston Dispatch Express
Company. the Northern Express Company,
the Pacific Express Company, the southern
Express Company, the United states EA-
press company, Wells, Fargo o. tne
Westcott Express Company. the western
EXPRESS Company and also the natuFa!
persons above named and each or them
who arc engaged IN such express business
under the above named.
Reductions In express rates fled yester-
day are said 70 be important oniy 50 iaF
as they affect what are known as combi-
nation rates, when shipments are made by
two companies 70 final destination Ex-
press combination rates have long been
figured on a graduated scale OF weights
based on 100 pounds. II the rate on 100
pound package is 81. for instance, By the
Adams Express Company 70 a junction
point with the United States Express COM
pany. and 81 from that junction point TO
the shipments destination. the combined
rate would he g. By the proposed tarihs
the combined rate would be 81 SO. 90 far
the examination OF the new tariffs filed
with the commission shows no reductions
I'm straight rates by single companies, ex-
cept in isolated instances. where injustice
apparently has been done.
The proposed tariffs, which are 20 become
effective on August 7, viii BE included N
the inquiry ordered to-day. Because they
are reductions no effort probably VIII 2e
made 10 suspend the combination rates.
hut ~ the inquiry should show that the
reductions are not sufficient 70 meet the
requirements of express commerce they
undoubtedly viii be further reduced.
with the exception Of the Long Island
Express COMPANY. all the express COM
panies have decided to adopt what IL
known as the single graduate system Of
charging. besides making other material
reductions In rates all along the line.
TT was IN last January" said an Official
Of the Welis-Fargo Company yesterday,
that this company first gave the single
graduate system serious consideration. At
that time the company was negotiating
with the Could lines 20 DO their express
business. supplanting the old Pacific EN-
press COMPANY. and il wished 10 get better
rates for its patrons At first two OF the
largest express companies in this country