The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-27
RATES WILL BE PROBED.
RAILROAD COMMISSION ORDERS
AN INVESTIGATION.
Date for Hearing Will be Announced
Later-Ask Important Informa-
ton Regarding Operations.


ton Regarding Operations.
The railroad commission of South
Carolina will investigate the express
rate situation in this State.
An order was issued last Friday to
the Southern Express company call
ing for information regarding its op-
erations. This is the first inyestiga-
ton of this kind held in this State,
and will be sweeping in it's nature,
according to members of the commits
sion. 1t is stated that the investiga-
ton will be held for the purpose of
determining if the rates are excessive
and if the rules and practices of the
company are unquestionable.
Many Complaints.
Members of the commission state
that many complaints as to the opera
tions and business of the Southern
Express company have been received,
and that the commission has not
been in a position to determine
whether or not the complaints are
justified, and the investigation will
be held for the purpose of securing
accurate and definite information. It
is stated that a general fight will be
waged during the year by all of the
railroad commissions in the United
States, in conjunction with the inter-
state commerce commission, for the
purpose of reducing the express rates
over all lines, this matter having
been already decided. The question
of reducing express rates was also
discussed at the annual convention
Of the attorneys general of the sew
eral States, held in June at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
To Order, Hearing.
Following the order to the COM
mission calling for information on
the question of express rates, it is
very likely that the commission will
issue an order fixing the date for
the hearing TO be held. The COM
mission has been at work for several
months gathering information on the
question of express rates, and has
also been in correspondence with 9th
er railroad commissions of the United
States, and much information has
been obtained.
Order Issued.
The first order of the commission
was issued last Friday to c. L. Loop,
of Chattanooga, vice president Of the
Southern Express company, and is as
follows:
"The general statutes of South
Carolina (1s02, section 2220) place
express companies operating in this
State under the control of the COM
mission, and declare that all powers
given the said commission over rail-
roads in this State shall apply to ex-
press companies. Section 2079 &c.
S., 1902) authorizes the commission
to make Investigations voluntarily.
Therefore it is ordered that you
furnish this commission, under oath,
with the following information, not
later than September 4, 1911:
"VaIue of real estate and buildings
owned by you within the State of
South Carolina and where located.
"Value of horses, vehicles, safes
and other equipment, including Office
fixtures, within the State of South
Carolina; giving detailed list of same
and showing where located.
"Show gross revenue from intra-
state business in South Carolina, for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1910:
Freight traffic, money traffic, money
orders, checks, etc.; c. o. D. collec-
tions, receipts from mail express and
other income; total gross receipts.
''Show actual expenses for con-
ducting intrastate business in South
Carolina; amount paid to railroads
for express privileges; labor and
clerical expenses; general Office ex-
penses; taxes and licenses; deprecia-
tion of property; other expenses.
Furnish a copy of your last an
nual report to your shareholders.
More Exports Than Imports.