The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-18
UNJUST CHARGES
MUST Be RETURNED
Notwithstanding Chemical Com
pany Gets Decision Against
Atlantic Coast Line.
Especial to The Times Dispatch

washington. ID. c.. June l7.-As the
result OF n decision made TODAY nv
the Interstate Commerce Commission
IN the case of the Virginia Carolina
Chcmical Company against the Allan
tic Coast Line Railroad Company. It
Is expected that the railroad company
VIII, within the next few weeks re-
tund several hundred overcharge col
iections which have recently been en-
acted In shipments OF fertilizers from
adesDoro. y. e., to South Carolina
points. The commission says that as
the charges We're clearly uhtustifiab BILE
the railroad company must return to
shilPers what 1t has illegally and
wronsfully forced them to pay.
Complainant IS corporation, the
commission says. having its principal
Office at Richmond Its petition. filed
April ~ 1912. attacks as unreas onable
and unduly discriminatory, an advance
IN rates Tor the transportation OF fer
tiilHer from Wadcsboro to points on
defendants line in south Carolina, Of
fective February 20. 1912. The estab-
lisnment OF reasonable rates and rep
aration are asked
Prior TO February &c, 1912. defend
ants rates for the transportation OF
fertilizer from Wadesboro to local
points IN South Carolina were made on
the same mileage basis as was appli-
cable between points within the state
Of South Carolina. On the date named
there became effective specific rates
on this traffic from Wadesboro to
South Carolina points. which. with few
exceptions. involved increases over the
rates formerly In effect, but no change
was made in the rates between points
in South Carolina.
AS the advances in question were
MA II sf
OF proof TO show that the increased
rates are just and reasonable rests
with the defendant
Upon the facts OF record the decision
reads: I'VE are not convinced that the
defendant has successfully borne that
burden. and we therefore find that
the rates complained Of are unjust and
unreasonable TO the extent that they
exceed the rates that were in effect
prior to February &c, 1912, which prior
rates Will be prescribed as maxima
for the future. Reparation will be
awarded on past shipments within the
period of limitation on basis of the
former rates. upon satisfactory proof
showing the amounts due. and the case
will be held open for that purpose
1t is ordered that the defendant be
notified and required 10 cease and de-
sst, on or before August Is. 1918. and
for period OF two years thereafter.
TO abstain from charging its present
rates for the transportation for fer
,!lizer in carloads from Wadesboro 10
points on its line in South Carolina.
which rates are found In said report
to be unreasonable; also, that defend
ant be notified and required TO estab-
lish. on or before August Is, 1913, upon
notice 10 the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the general public by
not less than five days filing and post
ms in the manner prescribed In sec
ton of the act to regulate commerce,
and for a period OF two years after
August Is, 1913, to maintain and apply
to the transportation of fertilizer in
carloads from Wadesboro to points on
It's line in South Carolina. rates which
shall not exceed the rates per ton of
1000 pounds. p. II. Meg.