The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-15

Warrington. July ll.-sweeping re-
duct'ons 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-
hcr'bed in report made pubic to-
day by the Interstate Commerce. Com
mission OF its investigation into tho
business Of the thirteen grea, ex-
press companies OF the United states.
Dealing with tho Identity OF interest
between the VARIOUS companies. the
report finds that while these COM
pan'cs are separate legal entities. 1T
Is Of interest to regard this fact that
oy stock ownership and otherwise
they arc so interlaced intertw:ned
ana interlockcd that 1t Is with dill
ficulty we can trace any one Of the
greater companies as either wholly
independent in IT'S management or tho
ageLcy OF single railroad system. SO
that while these companies operate
separately and compete With each oth-
or for traffic. the express business may
be said TO be almost "a family affair
An interesting genealogical tree. in
inct mlsht be drawn showing q com
mon arecEtry in all Of the larger COM
panies. And While many names may
bc used To designate these companies.
1t Is within the fact TO say that aside
from the operations of the minor and
distinct!veIy railroad express COM
panies. the express business OF tho
United states IS managed by not more
than three sroups OF interesta"
Extensive Inquiry.
The inquiry was the most extensive.
and. In wealth o. infinite detail. prob
ably the most thorough. ever prose-
cNtcd by the commission II was con-
Quoted and the report was prepared
oy Commissioner Franklin K Lane. 1t
nas been IN progress for nearly three
years The report itsel. makes coo
printed pages 1t involved an cxami-
nation and comparison or practically
more than 500. 900. 900 express rates in
effect in this country. In addition 10
an examination Of millions OF way
bills ana an Investigation. through the
books OF tho companies. OF their imam
cial operations and business methods.
Commissioner Lane is OF opinion
that the conclusions reached consti-
tute long step towards the solution
OF that gravest problem OF the Amer
lean Observation-Disclosures high cost OF
living.
The greatest reduction Of rates pro-
posed is on small packae es-that is.
on Parcels which weigh less than
twelve pounds Rates on packages of
more than twelve pounds were found
smaller parcels.
Briefly stated the new rates may
he said to be based upon Il minimum
charge of 81 cents for one pound
package. This charge increases in
ratio TO the increase o: weight and
distance. a rates varying from three
tenths OF a cent pound to about -
cents pound. Twelve cents a pound
according TO the conclusions of tho
commission. is approximately the hien-
est rate per pound for the greatest
distance possible for a parcel to be
carried wholly within the United
States. exclusive of Alaska.
Charges Proposed.
Packages weighing two pounds. for
Instance. may be shipped 1000 miles,
New York to Chicago-for "a cents;
and 1000 miles-New YorL City to
Beaverton 81 cents. the present rates
being respectively for each 80 cents
A three pound package viii cost u
cents for 1000 miles and 81 cents for
1000 miles the existing rates being,
respectively. each - cents y ten
pound package may be TRANSPORTED
1000 miles Tor 42 cents ana 1000 miles
Tor n cents, as against the existing
rates of 70 cents and Sl.25. respectivc-
~ The cost Of transporting twenty
five pound package 1900 miles viii
be 16 cents, against the present rate
OF Sl-iO ana Tor 2.utO miles, $1.6A
against the present rate Of S2.25.
Commissioner Lane believes that the
method adopted for The computation
and construction of express rates is
scientific and will result In the ~
action of entirely Reasonable charges
Through the decision announced to-
day, express rates are made That are
expected to open all avenue ~ trade
BETWEEN the producer OF food COM
modities and the consumer by distribu-
ting equitably to the weight and dis
lance the burden OF the cost Of trans
portation. At present that burden ;
borne chiefly by the parcels of ligh.
weight BY Commissioner Lanes de-
c'sion. the small package will bear
no greater share. per pound. OF the
cost of transportation than the heavy
package. and every package weighing
less than 100 pounds will bear the same
amount of terminal expense
The charges of the express compan-
les. now in many instances. arc the
same for so pounds ms for 100 pounds
between the same points: and In some
Instances they are as much for 30
pounds as for 100 pounds. Under such
system the householder Is compelled
to pay as much for 10 pound pack
aee as dealer would pay for &c %
pound package, and three or four
times as much as the dealer would
(Coutinued on Second lJure