The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-11-17
PARCELS POST:
AND LOW RATES
INTERSTATE COMMISSION WILL
HAVE WEAPON TO BRING THE
EXPRESS COMPANIES DOWN.

Washington, Nov. 16.-With the
parcels post in operation on January
/, the government will be in shape
to wage its fight against the express
companies for lower rates, for the
parcels post will be an effective wea
pom for the international commerce
commission as it doubtless will force
the express companies to meet the
lower rates of the parcels post. There
also promises to be a bitter fight in
congress TO have the government con-
liscate the property of the express
companies and operate it in conjunc-
ton with the postoffice department
The Interstate commerce commits
sion, moreover, which recently re-
duced the rates of express companies,
has been called into consultation by
the commission making the plans to
put the parcels post into operation,
on the matter of rates, and it is
reasonable to suppose that if the ex-
press companies do not accept the re-
ductions made the interstate com
merce commission will endeavor to
have the parcels post rates so ad-
iusted as to punish them through the
medium of low rates.
Before the parcels post legislation
was passed by congress, the interstate
commerce commission, several months
ago, concluded its long and thorough
investigation of the express business
of the United States. Its report, pre-
pared chiefly by Commissioner Lane,
was given wide publicity and was a
vigorous assault on the express com
panies. 1t found their capitalization
excessive, service bad, business meth
DDS indefensible, rates altogether too
high and discriminatory, and, in gen
eral indicated all around dissatisfac-
ton with the express companies.
view OIuCT III CI'CSi SOSb'
1t was decided in the report that
an extensive reduction in express
rates ehould be made, but no formal
order was issued to that effect. This
order was deloycd until the express
companies could be given hearing on
he question. This hearing was held
recently by the commission when at
torneys tor the express companies
argued against the reduction in the
rates. but it is not expected that these
arguments will have much weight
with the commission, which has
spent months in its careful investi-
cation of the question. Consequently
a formal order is expected soon to
be issued by the commission putting
the suggested rates into effect.
The matter of chief interest now is
whether the express companies will
make light when the formal order
is issued and carry the case to the
commerce court and in general make
themselves troublesome. If they |
adope the program OF fighting |
then the war will be on. The com
mission is in no frame of mind to be
trifled with on this subject, it is in
timated, and is determined to see that
tight to the end before giving way
on its position.
When the commission made it's re-
port suggesting the reduction of the
express rates, it did not have the
weapon to fight it now has. Then
there was no legislation creating the
parcels pest, but as matters stand at
this time. the commission is in po-
sition to make the express companies
treat with eminent respect, because
the parcels post law gives to the
commission an important part in de-
termining the rates to be adopted
for the parcels post, which can be
made the big weapon Of assua.t on
the express companies.
That the express companies Will
content themselves with the formal
protest filed against the rates at the
present hearing, is the belief of the
members OF the commission. They
base that belief on the presumption