The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1912-07-16
GREAT REDUCTION
IN EXPRESS RATES

Sweeping reductions in express
rates averaging, in general, approxi-
mately fifteen per cent; drastic re-
forms in regulations and practices, and
comprehensive changes in the methods
OF operation, are prescribed in re-
port made public by the interstate CON-
merce commission Of its investigation
into the business of the thirteen great
express companies Of the United States.
Dealing with the identity o. interest
betweeen the various companies, the
report finds that these companies are
separate legal entities, but says:
1t is Of interest to regard this
fact, that by stock ownership and
otherwise they are SO interlaced, inter-
twined, and interlocked that it is with
difficulty we can trace any one of the
greater companies as either wholly in
dependent in ito management or the
agency Of single railroad system.
So that while these companies operate
separately and compete with each 9TH
er for traffic, the express business may
be said to be almost family affair.
Only Three Groups Of Interests.
AN interesting genealogical tree, in
fact, might be drawn, showing a com
mon ancestry in all of the larger COM
panies And while many names may
be used to designate these companies,
1t is within the fact to say that aside
from the operations of the minor and
distinctively railroad express COM
panies, the express business of the
United States 10 managed by not more
than three groups of interests.
The inquiry was the most extensive
and, in wealth of infinite detail, prob
ably the most thorough, ever prose
euted by the commission. It was con-
ducted, and the report was prepared
by Commissioner Franklin K. Lane. 1t
has been in progress for nesrly three
years. The report itself makes 900
printed pages. II involves an exami-
nation and comparison of practically
more than 100000 express rates in
effect in this country, in addition to
an examination of millions Of way
bills and an investigation, through the
books of the companies, Of their fnan-
cial operations and business methods.
Affect Cost Of Living.
Commissioner Lane is of the opinion
that the conclusions reached consti-
tute a long step towards the solution
of that gravest problem of the Ameri-
lean householder, the high cost of liv-
ing.
The greatest reduction of rates pro-
posed is on small packages; that is,
on parcels which weigh less than
twelve pounds. Rates on packages of
more than twelve pounds were found
to be more reasonable than those on
smaller parcels.
Statement in Brief.
Briefly stated, the new rates may
be said to be based upon a minimum
charge of 81 cents for a one-pound
package. This charge increases in
ratio to the increase of weight and dis
tance at rates carrying from three
tenths of cent a pound to about l2
cents pound. Twelve cents pound,
according to the conclusions of the
commission, is approximately the high
est rate per pound for the greatest dis
tanee possible for parcel to be ear
RED wholly within the United States,
exclusive of Alaska.
Packages weighing two pounds, for
instance, may be shipped 1000 miles
New York City to Chieago-for "a
cents, and 1000 miles-New York to
Denver--for 81 cents, the present rates
being respectively, for each 80 cents.
A three e-pound package will cost ~
cents for 1000 miles and 81 cents for
. 900 miles, the existing rates being,
respectively, each As cents. A ten
pound package may be transported L.
0e0 miles for AZ cents and 1000 miles
for II cents, as against the existing
rates of rs cents and $l.25, respective
ly. The cost of transporting twenty
five.pound package 1000 miles will be
76 cents, against the present rate of
$l.10, and for 1000 miles, $1.64,
against the present rate of 1925.
Reductions in Nevada.