The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-22
HEARING
ON RATES
HERE TODAY
N. D. Express Rates Said to
Be Discrii ,inatory
Matter to Wait n ling Action
BY y. S. Com. ssi0n
Other MATTERS Cam Before
Railroad Commiss

The proposed express rates for the
state Of North Dakota had another
airing in this city today, following the
meeting at Grand Forks yesterday.
The meetings are before the state rail-
road commission There was a good
deal Of interest shown in the matter
by shippers. The sessions today were
held at the commercial club.
The Great Northern railroad was
represented by President Elliott, G. J.
Murphy. the attorney of Grand Forks,
and General Traffic Manager Owens.
The Northern Express Co., of the n.
P. road was represented by John s.
Watson, their attorney of this city,
and General Traffic Manager Bennett.
The Western Express Co, was rep
resented by Genreal Traffic Manager
Burr and his assistant. Mr.. McDon-
aid. This is the line which operates
on the 500,
There was protest entered by the
implement dealers all over the state
and on behalf of the Fargo dealers,
j. L. Angel appeared and gave the
version Of the matters to the company.
Difference in Rates.
A table was prepared which shows
the difference in the rates between
the states of North Dakota and South
Dakota and Minneapolis, as well as
the proposed new rates in North Da-
kota which will be somewhat lower
than the old rates. but still, in the
opinion of the shippers, not low
enough in this state.
.fTNA.- e. r4efF
miles was $2.25 in North Dakota and
the new proposed rate win be S1,75.
The rate for the same number OF
pounds for the same number of miles
in South Dakota is now $1.4O, and in
Minnesota il is the same, the North
Dakota men of course putting up the
plea that this state is being discrimiI-
ated against.
Action At Forks. s
According to Attorney Watson, OF
this city, when the commission met at
Grand Forks yesterday the commercial
club there which had put in a pro-
test and asked for q. hearing before
the railroad commission Withdrew the
request and protest, taking the posi-
tfon that the interstate commerce
commission has already taken up the
matter and it is believed that 1t will
adjust rates.
Another reason was the fact that the,
state commission might take some &C
ton that would be in conflict with tho
interstate commission, by which the
states action, in fixing rates might be
lowered or raised. Mr.. Watson said
that the whole matter will be gone
over carefully by the officials at
washington and they are now at
work on the matter. q
An Anieable Arrangement.
Last year the people near Mason,
this county, filed protest with the rail-
road commission, alleging that the
Great Northern was about to abandon
seven miles of line in that. section,
which would leave the people and the
elevator ''high and dry so far as rail-
road connection is concerned. The
Great Northern by reason of the Sur
rev line, which is soon to be opened,
decided to abandon this Mason branch
because it was of no further use TO
the company. The commission refus
ed to interfere Today the matter was
again opened by General Hildreth on
behalf Of the elevator people, and aft
er short time, 1t was announced that
an annicable settlement would be made
by. which the railroad connections
would be made with the Surrey line.
Want Station Removed.
Tnere. is d p6tILlpn SlAC GAL
road commission asking that the sta
ton at Garlxle be removed about a
third of mile farther west, so as
to make it nearer for the villagers,
and this will be considered and de-
cision announced in the near future.
This is an N. p. matter.
There has been a petition for a
side branch and loading platform at
the little town of Arena, on the Pin~
gree line in Burleigh county, and a
station on the same branch is also
asked for Tuttle.
There is also q loading platform ask
ed for at Woodworth on the same line.
These are all NJ p. matters and q de-
eision will be announced in the near
future.
Adjourned at Noon.
The commission took a recess at
noon today until this afternoon. Dur
inp the morning the question Of the
express rates was discussed and 1t is
likely that it will be again before the
board this afternoon. So far as can
be learned there was nothing new
brought out, for this is the same old
matter that has been before the COM
mission ever since the proposed new
express rates were announced by the
different express companies some time
ago.
The Fargo Commercial club has en-
tered no protest against the rates,
but the implement men have, In a
measure, done so, but 1t is likely that
the matter will be allowed to rest
until the interstate commerce COM
y,olssioy4 has rnada known its decision.