The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-07-18
EXPRESS COMPANIES
CLOSELY CONNECTED
Commerce Commission Hes
i itate to Call Them Trust but
Cites Relationship.

washington, D. c.. July 16.-Sweep-
'ang reductions in express rates aver
aging, In general, approximately Is per
cent; drastic reforms in regulations
n practices, and comprehensive
changes in the methods of operation,
are prescribed in a report made public
10y the Interstate Commerce commits
sion Of its investigation into the busi-
ness of the 10 great express companies
OF the United States.
Dealing with the identity of interest
between the various companies, the re-
port finds that while these companies
are separate legal entities, sit is of in
Eiterest to regard this fact hat by stock
ownership and otherwise they are 80
f1nterlaced, intertwined and interlocked
that it is with difficulty we can trace
any one of the greater companies as
Fe1ther wholly Independent in it's man
agement of the agency of a single rail-
road system. So that while these COM
with each other for traffic, the express
business nay be said to be almost a
family affair. An interesting genoa
logical tree, in fact, might be drawn
1.-THE larger companies. And while many
names may be used to designate these
companies, it is within the fact to say
THAT, aside from the operations of the
lminor and distinctively railroad ex-
lpress companies, the express business
tof the United States is managed by
lnot more than three groups of inter-
tests"
An Extensive Inquiry.
The inquiry was the most extensive,
and, in wealth of infinite detail, prob
ably the most thorough, ever prose-
Quoted and the report was prepared by
Commission Franklin K. Lane. 1t
has been in progress for nearly three
years. The report itself make 500
printed pages. 1t involved an exami-
nation and comparison of practically
more thai 600, 600, 900 express rates in
effect in his country, in addition to ar
examination of millions of waybills
and III investigation through the books
of the companies OF their financial OPP
'erations and business methods.
Commissioner Lane is of the opinion
that tho conclusions reached constitute
a long step towards the solution of
that gravest problem of the American
householder-the high cost of living.
The greatest reduction of rates pro
posed is on small packages-that is
on parcels which weigh less than II
pounds. Rates on packages of more
han IL pounds were found to be more
reasonable than those on smaller par
cells.
Briefly stated, the new rates may be
said to be based upon a minimum
charge of 21 cents for a one-poun6
package. This charge increases in ra-
ito to the increase of weight and dis
lance. at rates varying from three
tenths of a cent a pound to about Il
cents a pound. Twelve cents a pound
according to the conclusions Of the
commission. is approximately the high
est rate per pound for the greatest dis
tance possible for a parcel to be car.
ried wholly within the United States
exclusive of Alaska,
Packages Weighing two pounds, fol
instance, may be shipped LOCO miles
New York City to Chicago-for 2.
cents; and 1000 miles-New York Cit!
to Denver-for 81 cents, the presen'
rates being respectively, for each. 8!
cents. A three-pound package will cos
81 cents for 1000 miles and 81 cent.
for 1000 miles. the existing rates being
respectively. each As cents. A 10-pount
package may be transported 1000 mile:
for AZ cents, and 1000 miles for Z
cents, as against the existing rates o
rs cents and S1.25, respectively. Thu
cost of transporting a 2%5-pound pack
age 1000 miles will be rs cents. agains
the present rate Of S1.10, and for 200
miles, S1.64, against the present rate o
1925.
Commissioner Lane believes that TIL
method adopted for the computation
and construction of express rates I
scientific and will result in the exactiol
of entirely reasonable charges.