Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-15
PRESCRIDES RATE
CUT IS Per CENT
Sweeping Express Reforms
Recommended IN Report of
Commerce Commission.
HEARING TO BEGIN OCT. g
Gives Greater Relief to Sender of
Light Weight Packages, Less
Than so Pounds.

Washington, July 15.-Sweeping re-
auctions in express rates, averaging in
general approximately Is per cent;
drastic reforms in regulations and
practices; and comprehensive changes
in the methods of operation, are pre-
sCribed in a report made public today
by the interstate commerce commits
sion of its investigation into the bust
ness of the 10 great express companies
of the United States.
Dealing with the identity of interest
GbJween the various companies, the re-
port finds that while these companies
are separate legal entities, 1t is of
interest TO regard this fact they, by
stock ownership and otherwise, are so
interlaced, intertwined and interlock.
ed that it is with difficulty We can
trace any one of the greater com
panies as either wholly independent in
its management or the agency of n
single railroad system. SO that while
these companies operate separately
and compete with each other for traf-
fic, the express business may be said
10 be almost a family affair. An in
teresting genealogical tree, in fact,
might be drawn showing a common
ancestry in all Of the larger com
panies. And while many names may
/ be used 10 designate these companies,
II is within the fact 70 say that aside
from The operations OF the minor and
distinctively railroad express com
panies. the express business of the
, United States is managed by not more
than three groups of interests"
On SMALL PACKAGES.
/ The greatest reduction of rates pro
posed is on small packages-that is
on parcels which weigh less than Il
pounds. Rates on packages of more
than y pounds were found 10 be more
reasonable than those on smaller par
cells
Briefly stated, the new rates may be
said 10 be based upon a minimum
charge of p cents 70 T one-pount
package This charge increases in
ratio TO the increase OF weight and
distance, al rates varying from three
tenths Of cent a pound to about l:
cents a pound. Twelve cents a pound
according to the conclusions of the
commission. is approximately the
highest rate per pound for the great
est distance possible for a parcel Il
be carried wholly within the United
States, exclusive of Alaska.
Packages weighing two pounds, FOL
instance, may be shipped 1000 miles
New York civ IN Chica oC-for .!
cents: and 1000 miles-New York Cit,
to Denver-for 81 cents. the presen
rates being. respectively. for each, 81
cents. a three-pound package vii
cost q cents for 1000 miles and g.
cents for 1000 miles, the existing
rates being. respectively, each q
cents. a 10-pOund package may b,
transported 1000 miles for AZ cents
and 1900 miles for II cents. a
against the existing rates OF 75 cent
and Sl25. respectively. The cost o
Transporting a 25-pound package 100
mile will be 76 cents, against the pres
ent rate OF s11O. and for 1000 miles
sl.6i. against the present rate of SO. 2;
SCIENTIFIC METHOD.
Commissioner Lane believes tina. tn
method adopted for the computatio
. and construction OF express rates /
scientific and will result in the exs,
ton OF entirely reasonable charge!
Through the decision announced I,
day express rates are made that ar
expected TO open an avenue OF trad
between the producer OF food con