Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-15

Commission. However, as each agent,
under the new system, will be obliged
to know only the rates that apply be-
tween his station and each of the 9TH
er blocks, he will have to consult only
$50 rates to find the proper charge
from his station to every other station
within the United States.
Through this system the common
rate area on short hauls is reduced
from an area of about $500 square
miles, which is the average area of
each main block-to an area of about
| $50 square miles. The present express
rate methods embrace much larger
common rate areas.
For instance, the rate, per hundred
pounds, from Boston, New York, Phil
adeIphia, Baltimore Washington and
Richmond to Seattle. Takoma, Port
| land. San Francisco, San Diego, Reno,
Sacramento and many other points
embraced in the region west of the ST.
ezra and Cascade Mountains is now the
same. 1880. Under the Commissions
system the rates will vary with the
distance between any two points, from
So IS to $11.00 hundred pounds.
While there has been an almost uni
form reduction in charges upon par
cells weighing 80 pounds or less, the
rates on packages weighing more tha1
| 80 pounds have not been materially
reduced. In some instances, the Com
missions proposed rate basis shows a
slight increase of the charges on heavy
packages. This indicates the belief Of
the Commission that the rates of the
express companies per 100 pounds are
not on the whole, seriously excessive
This is particularly manifest from an
analysis of the rates for distances of
| 200 miles or less, which are scarcely
distributed on the heavy weight traffic
| BY the terms of the Commissions
order the changes in the regulations
methods and practices of the express
companies: the classification of ex-
press matter; the changes in the bill
ing of packages. and other admins
trative reforms are required to be put
| into effect practically Immediately.
| The rates proposed, however, will not
become effective before some time next
Autumn. The Commission has fixed
| October 9 as the date for the begin
ming of a hearing of the representa-
| tiyes of express companies and ship
pers as to why the rates prescribed by
the Commission should not go into eff
feet.
| Jon every question except that Of
rates, a substantial agreement has been
| reached between the Commission and
the companies. The latter express
their willingness to conform their bust
| ness operations TO any require
ments the Commission might make;
but they expressed anxiety concern
| ing any serious reduction of their rates
lest it might seriously affect their rev
enues.
| Commissioner Lane makes a vigor-
Gus attack. in his report upon the So
called scale of graduated charges by
which the express companies now de :
termine the rate which shall apply to
a package of given weight. This scale
is held by the Commission to be I'M
reasonable. discriminatory and arbitra-
ry. The report says:
| 1T is the product of years of shrewd
manipulation has no justification in
| the minds of the express men them
selves. and is the richest example yet
brought to our attention of a tariff
based exclusively upon the theory tina t
| the charge should be what the traffic
will bear"
With respect to the standard of
rates, the Commission says
| What then may be said to be the
standard of reasonable express
rate? Our answer is, No one consid-
Grafton. These conclusions, however.
we have reached:
| Il That express rates should be
made primarily to meet the need of
the great body of our people and
should therefore be stated in terms
that represent the small packages
which the express company is intend
ed to carry. rather than by the Joe
pounds as freight rates are stated.
! - That in the fixing of its rates an
express company should not be allow
| ed to charge more than a railroad
| company if the latter undertook to.
| and did, give the same service.
3 That it is proper for the govern
| ment to treat the express company as
a freight forwarded by passenger train,
giving supplemental service at each
terminus. and intermediate care.
a That an express rate may not he
based upon the monopoly right of the
1 express company to be the exclusive
freight forwarder over one or more
lines of railroad.
. That the rate should not include
more than a reasonable compensation
for the service given. even though sucn
compensation falls below that which
| the railroad exaets as a minimum for
| the carriage of 100 pounds of freight.
&c That it is unreasonable to fix as
rapid decline in express rates for
long distances as is made by the rail
| roads in their freight rates, express
service in this respect being more an
alogous to passenger than to freight
service
= That in compromising the express
rate the railroad should be allowed a
compensation for bulked freight NOV
ed upon passenger train as to which
1t is relieved by contract for all liza
bility for loss or damage and is with
out expense for the furnishing of n
| receipt, the billing, the bookkeeping.
and a great number of other general
expenses.
IS That the rate should include a re-
t,1,, -. q,