Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-02-03
CLASSIFICATION; or RATES.

J. A, Little, rate expert and statis-
tican for the North Dakota railroad
commission returned last night. from
a trip to Kansas City and Chicago,
where he represented the state at a
convention OF. rate experts who met
to review the new classification OF
rates proposed to be put in effec.
February 18th.
The hearing held before the inter
state commerce commission in Chi.
cago 10 consider. changes in the west:
ter OF vital importance to 81 western
states. and particularly North Da-
kota
AS an illustration of this point we
would cite the proposed changes in
ratings on agricultural implements.
ror many years it has been the GUS
tom to ship binder Irvine in mixed
carloads with other agricultural i'm.
Dlements The new classification
filed TO become effective February
Il. took t,vine and some other nipple
nents ont Of the mixed carload rat
ings. Az practical matter this
meant chat Irvine would generally
have to move at less than carload
rates and not being able to make up
4 carioa without twine, the imple-
Inents would also have to pay the
less Than carload rates which are
much higher than carload ratings.
Such change in rating would mean
that the cost OF both binder Irvine
and implements would be considera.
oily increased. The agricultural inn
plement manufacturers and jobbers
were we'll represented and inter.
posed their objections to the pro-
posed changes. The railroads finally
agreed to amend the new classified.
ton 10 take care Of agricultural i'm
plenents in. mixed carloads.
In all the new classification con-
tains about ZOO changes in rates OF
which about 1000 are advances and
700 reductions. It was contended
that the changes above mentioned
we're made 20 secure greater UNIFORM.
ity Of classification between various
parts OF ta1e country.
Mauv shippers appeared aud test1--
fed that the proposed reductions in.
ratings we're on things Of no great
commercial importance while the ad.
rances in ratings we're on the great
commodities Of daily necessity which
moved freely and that the carriers
intended 20 ayaucs their charges SUD
stautialy, under the cloak Of making
uniform classification. All Of the
big shippers. their organizations and
traffic bureaus Of cities, appeared
through expert rate men to protect
thear interests The small jObber.
. the retailer and consumer were rep
resented through the railroad commits.
sions Of the various states. The fol-
lowing states we're represented
North Dakota, South Dakota Wlscon-
!. SIN Mlunesnta, Nebraska. Iowa. Hi
nois, Missouri, Kansas Oklahoma
/ and Texas. The rate experts Of Ok
\ !ahoma, Kansas Iowa. Texas and
North Dakota held a preliminary
meeting at Kansas City at which they
made partial check Of the new cias'
ssticatiou In about three days OF
steady grind -l1ev only checked up
about 81 out Of 400 pages, These eS'
Derts testified at Chicago that there
was a number Of changes or vital
inheritance to western STAKES which
their check disclosed and regarding
which shippers should have time TO
inform themselves. The new c'assi-
fication imposed number or ne"
packing requirements in addition 10
changing rates. The eleven states
mentioned ABOVE: therefore Joined in
asking for the suspension Of the new
class ification pending taorougn
check Of it's provisions during watcn
evidence as to the effect Of sdcn
changes on shippers might be o.
tai,,ed. During the course Of the
hearing there appeared a number OF
manufacturers, large jobbers and
SINAI, iobbers. Some changes it was
said would hurt the small jobber and
benefit the larger jcbber with whom
he competed aud other changes a1.
pearsd to favor the small jcbber and
retailer. The changes proposed afe
a. numerous that the railroad COM
mission feels that each shipper in
the state ought 20 Immediately lsc