The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-17
BIG RATE
REDUCTIONS
DEMANDED
Shippers Of N. D. Want More
Equitable Rate
S. D. and Minnesota Have
Much Lower Schedule
Hearings for Fargo and Grand
Forks Next Week

Grand Forks, N. D., Aug. 17.--Rad-
ical reductions in the express rates
of North Dakota, even greater than
those pronosed hy the state railroad
commission, win be sought by the
shippers Of Grand Forks, who met
yesterday noon and formulated a
statement which will be presented to
the railroad board when it meets here
next Wednesday to conduct a hearing
on the express rate question.
Comparing the rates of Minnesota.
and South Dakota with those propos-
ed in North Dakota, the Grand Forks
shippers point that there is a wide
difference, this state, even under the
proposed schedule, being compelled to
pay greatly in excess of the amount
charged in South Dakota, where the
railroad commission has been success
ful in the courts of the United States
in establishing their right to exact
such schedules as have been promul-
gated
Under the present North Dakota
merchandise rate, the charge on 100
pounds for so miles is 75 cents, while
the new rate shows the same charge.
On special implement parts, the new
rate proposed is so cents. The Mime
sofa merchandise rate on 100 pounds
for so miles is 30 cents, while the
South Dakota rate is 35 cents
About that same proportion holds
true of almost the entire schedules
in the three states.
Conditions Are Similar.
The Grand Forks shippers will ar
que to the state railroad commission
that the conditions governing ship
ments in this state are Identical with
those in South Dakota, and that there
is no reason why this state should be
charged at a higher rate for the same
service than South Dakota
Another feature which is sought by
the Grand Forks shippers is the uni
form mileage rate. That is, they ask
all rates be based on the mileage call
culation alone. Under the present
send a consignment to Fargo cheaper
than he can to a point ten. fifteen or
twenty miles this side of there. while
the same situation, reversed holds
true as against shippers Of Fargo.
#. p. Cameron, chairman of the
railroad committee, of the Grand
Forks Commercial club, has been
express rates for comparative pur-
poses, and he is strongly in favor Of
a general reduction more radical than
that proposed by the state railroad
commission.
Cover Entire Situation.
When the hearing is held here next
Wednesday, the local shipping inter-
ests will be prepared to present the
entire situation to the members in
concrete form. Every feature Of the
problem will be presented, both
through briefs and by oral argument.
The Grand Forks shippers will be
aided by shippers from other parts of
the north half of the state who have
interested themselves in the rate ques-
ton, and who are desirous Of bring
ing about general reduction.
All Of One Accord.
Grand Forks shippers are OF one
opinion on the question of reducing
the express rates. The luncheon
yesterday, at which the question was
thoroughly discussed, brought that
fact out very prominently and the
railroad committee is now backed by
them In an effort to bring about a
big change. The meeting was held
in the commercial club rooms.