Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-07-29
Decided In SP0kANE'S FAVOR
REDUCING RAILROADS.
PRESENT RATES.
Sweeping Reduction on West-Bound
Shipments from New York, Chicago
and Pittsburg Territory-Decision
Means Victory-Back Haul Rates
Are Practically Wiped Out.

rates on all west bound shipments of
freight originating in Missouri river
territory, including Duluth, st. Paul,
Minneapolis, Omaha, Denver, Des
Moines and Kansas City, described in
the decision as zone one.
The railroads may charge not ex-
ceeding per cent above terminal rates
on shipments to Spokane originating in
Chicago territory, described as zone
two.
The railroads may charge not ex
ceeding Is per cent above terminal
rates on shipments to Spokane originat-
ing in what is known as the Cincinnati
Cleveland territory, described as zone
three.
The railroads may charge not exceed
ing 25 per cent on shipments to Spo-
kane originating in New York and At
lantic Coast territory as far south as
Virginia, described as zone four.
No action was taken by the commits
sion in regard to rates from the south
eastern states.
Spokane Mans Opinion.
Attorney II. M. Stephens of Spokane,
who has had charge of the long legal
fight for the reduction of Spokane
rates, has gone over the decision of the
interstate commerce commission care
fully and gives the following analysis
thereof:
"The decision is better than the one
rendered a year ago, which set forth
tentative tariff and tentative rates.
"Spokane, under the decision, will
have the same rates as the Pacific
coast terminals from Duluth, Minneap-
oils, st. Paul, Sioux City, Omaha, Kan
sas City and on the gulf of Mexico.
Slightly Higher from Chicago.
"In territory that the commission de.
scribes as No. 2, per cent higher than
coast rates may be charged by the car
ries. This includes what has hereto
fore been known as Mississippi river
and Chicago territory, and includes Chi
cago, st. Louis, Memphis and on to
the gulf.
''Zone No. described by the com
mission includes Cincinnati and
Buffalo-Pittsburg territory. In this ter
ritory the carriers may charge Is per
cent more than the coast rates.
"East of the Buffalo Pittsburg line
is zone No 4, and therefrom carriers
may charge 25 per cent more than the
coast rates.
"The commission says: obedience
to this order will doubtless result in
some rates from the east which are
higher, and in others which are lower
than those suggested by the commits
sion (meaning the tentative rates.
since we did not then feel at liberty
as the complainant requested, to make
the Spokane rate depend upon the coast
rate.
emo rates are fixed from southeastern
Atlantic coast states.
Can Make Further Order.
"In view of the fact that at the pres
ent time some lines of business have
terminal rates, such as furniture, the
commission said:
Z" If the carriers establish undel
this disposition of the case, rates t.
Spokane which are excessive, further
order can be made in this proceeding
reducing them to a proper basis.
'The commission held that the show
ing of losses by the carriers did no
present any reason for not putting il
effect the tentative rates suggested
more than a year ago.
"The amendment of the fourth sec
ton, however, is held to give to tn,
commission power to consider coas
rates in comparison with inland rates
which the commission Heretofore held
in view of the decision of the suprem,
court of the United States that it coul,
not do.
"The commission holds that waite
competition does exist and does affec
{ Atlantic coast rates, and may affec
rates as far west as Chicago, but doe
not in fact hold that the rates west O.
Buffalo and Pittsburg are material.
affected by water competition.
May Prescribe Maximum Difference.
q ''The commission holds that it ha
authority to prescribe the maximum
l difference which may be charged inter
mediate or shorter distance points, ant
to fxe rates to the coast below whicl
q the carriers cannot go to meet waite
competition. They also hold that it i
$ the duty of the commission to inves
tigate each application for a suspension
/ of the long and short haul provision o
I the amended act.
''The commission holds that the car
r riers may meet the Atlantic-P acif
coast water rate at Chicago and de
cline to meet the same at New York.
Between 60 and 20 per cent of Spo
kane Is freight originates in zones 1 an,
?.