The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1912-05-29
RATE
REVISION IS IN
CONTEMPLATION
REVISION MAY MEAN MATERIAL
INCREASE IN PRESENT
FREIGHT RATES.
Railroad Commission Requests Trade
Bodies to Secure, if Possible, sus-
pension of Classification PENDING
Trapsh investigation.

What may mean a very important
revision of freight rates is now pend
ing tefore the railroad commission of
Georgia, as ordered by the interstate
commerce commission, and the opln-
ion entertained concerning the revis-
ion IS that it may mean a substantial
increase in freight rates.
The railroad commission has, there
fore, sent out to all boards of trade
and similar trade organizations in
Georgia circular letter suggesting
that all the commercial organizations
of this kind in the state act in con-
junction and call for a suspension of
the revision until the matter of what
the revision may mean may be thor
oughly investigated 1t is pointed out
in The letter that such a suspension
of rates was called for by the Wes-
tern states under similar circumstan-
nea and granted, thereby allowing
them sufficient time for investigation
that made Ineligible the proposed
changes in rates.
The letter is as follows:
This commission has received, and
presumes you have been supplied
with copy of Southern Classinca-
ton No. 80, issued by w, r. Powe,
agent, effective June II, 1912. This
classification, as you know, applies
on I'll interstete traffic moving into
and out of the state of Georgia. We
have only been able to make super
fetal examination of the same, but it
shows class advances and increases
in carload minimum weights affecting
approximately $50 articles; while re-
ductions in class ratings and carload
minimum weight seem to affect ep-
proXimately 327 articles. There are
also numerous additional classified
ton items the effect of which we
have not had opportunity to investi
gate.
You understand, of course, that
changes in freight rates can be
brought about in three ways: First,
increase in rate per 100 pounds on
the articles moving; second, change
or increase in classification rating
and third, change in carload mini
mum weight. 1t has been impossible
for Is, with our limited opportunity
office force and time for investigation
~ form any idea as to the materially
or extent of changes effected by the
new issue. 1t may be that the in
creaSes in rates are on articles that
move freely and regularly, while the
reductions are in articles that move
very infrequently, or vice versa.
Is occurs 70 us, therefore, to write
each of the trade bureaus and cham
bers of commerce in Georgia. of which !,
we have knowledge, inquiring as to
the results of their examination Of
the new Southern classiEcation,i any
IF the same has been
made, and ask their opinion as 10
ference among them, as to the pro- |
priety, of filing with the interstate ,
commerce commission a petition for
a suspension of this classification,
until We can determine by investi-
gait IN and examination the extent
and h.ateriality of the proposed
changes. petition of this kind was
filed BIZ the western state commits
sions ~ various board of trade in
western territory, asking for suspen
sion Of the new western classification
which embodied most of the changes
now proposed to be put into effect in
Southern territory, and the petition
for suspension was favorably acted
on by the interstate commerce COM
An examination is now be-
ng made in western territory as to
the extent of the proposed changes
and the effective date of the classifi-
cation has been postponed until De-
.emDer A, 1912.
From our hurried examination,
his commission is inclined TO the
opinion that southern classification,
No. 80, will mean extensive and ma
.erial rate increases. An examination
and study to ascertain the truth viii
De an expensive and laborious task,
which possibly could be undertaken
Jointly.
If any action is taken, looking to
a suspension, it must be speedy, our
being that such a petit
ton, or petitions, would have to be
fled in Washington, D. c., not later
than June and s.
Immediately upon receipt of this
1yindIxy 70 fnI 4,
the commission your views as to the