The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-08-04
Believed New Method Of Making
Schedules viii Solve Freight
Rates Puzzle
SAID APPEAL WILL Be TAKEN

Washington, August 4.-Reduction Of
express rates, which will cost the COM
panies fully twenty-six million dollars
a year, approximately sixteen per cent
of their gross revenue, were ordered
by the interstate commerce commits
sion today, To become effective on or
before October 1913. A notable reform
IN practices also was ordered.
The most important change was pre-
scribed in the modification of the pres
enr graduated srale of parcel rates.
one hundred pound rates for short
distances either have been left un-
er distances they have been lowered;
for ifty pounds or less all rates have
been practically reduced For packages
Of more than four pounds. going more
than 700 miles and less than two
thousand, the new express rates are
generally lower than the parcel post
rates for more than 5000 miles the
rates practically are the same.
Number OF Rates Reduced.
The report and order of the commits
sion were prepared by John H. Marble.
and are a virtual affirmation of the
findings of former Commissioner Lane,
now secretary of the interior. by pre-
scribing a so-called block system. di-
vidng the United States i'm $50 blocks,
averaging $500 square miles, as orig
inally proposed by Lane, nine hundred
million different rates now published
by the express companies will be re-
duced TO less than six hundred and fif-
" thousand.
The general impression i'm official
quarters is that the express companies
VIII attempt to test. by legal means,
the constitutionality of the commis-
sions order. The new system of rates
VIII not only simplify the existing rate
structure and methods, but in the
opinion OF rate experkts It. will lay the
foundation for future practice I'm all
tate revisions. While the commission
mas not considered the practicabilty Of
'he application Of the block system to
'he making Of freight rates, it is
known that the question may be taken
up at almost any time.
Solve Freight Rates Problem.
with standard freight rates. estab-
hshed between blocks, instead of be-
tween points, and all other rates stated
!" percentages of the standard, the
mystery OF the present complicated
Scheme OF freight rates. in the opinion
vi The commissions experts would be
solved. The basis of classification pre-
S'rloed by the commission is that all
"rteles of merchandise of ordinary
'"'U" are To be carried as first class.
VI ordinary merchandise rates. Articles
'" iood and drink, with few exceptions,
"re Second-class, and will he carried
AZ - per cent of first -class rates. Rates
'or newspapers ana periodicals. as well
- ior bread and such articles, for
""''h specially low rates are now
Vhatsed, are substantially the same as
'he present rates.
permanent committee has been
appointed 10 revise the route of the ey-
p''Ss carriers To eliminate circuitous
"hlch now cause considerable
'o''plaint on part OF shippers.
order Only For Two Years.
ne COMMISSIONS order is for two
ss"'S only" says the report. That
"u VIII give abundant opportunity
vt ~ test OF these rates, under vary
US conditions amounting TO the nor
,,' a' average. The respondents are at
ms oerS at any time to bring forward
,aets as basis for petition for
d." "ou'hcdtion of this or any other or
NV ueelsion, deferred for more than
year. followed an Investigation that
VVeupied nearly a six years hearing.
s,,,". express companies had filed
''"ehts uns' indicating losses of revenue