Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-18
MEAT OF CONTROVERSY OVER
WESTERN CLASSIFICATION MOI
PRESENTED BY THoRNE.
RESULTS ACCOMPLISHED
OUTLINED FOR FIRST TIME
More Than 1000 Items Affected by De-
cision Of Commerce Commission
Important Phases of Decision Given
to Iowa Legislature by Commissioner
Thorne-Gist of the Case.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, March 1S.-The first
complete and accurate analysis of the
results of the big fight made by ship
perS OH the freight classification
change proposed over year ago by
the railroads has just been made pub
lie in the report filed by the railroad
commission with the legislature last
Saturday. This was the famous case
involving western classification No.
81, in which some eighteen or twenty
railroad commissions joined under the
leadership of the Iowa commission and
spurred 10 action by MIR. Thorne. The
interstate commerce commission de-
cided the case some time ago since
which time the railroads have filed
some amendments; but now for the
first time is given statement Of re-
suits actually accomplished in this big
tight.
Mr.. Thorne's Statement.
The statement filed by Mr.. Thorne is
as follows:
Western classification No 81 is q
tariff published by the railroads caus
ing changes on over thousand items
affecting interstate traffic 10 and from
every town in Iowa and all points in
Illinois, Wisconsin, and all points west
of the Mississippi river to the Pacific
coast. a member of the Iowa COM
mission as chairman of the committee
representing sixteen western state
vances proposed.
more than a thousand cases because
each one OF the thousand advances
would be applicable between ali Iowa
points and all OF the territory above
described.
The investigation lasted over one
year. resulting in one of the most i'm
portant decisions ever rendered by the
commission. Next to the opinion in
the express case. il is the longest ever
made by the commission.
The carriers, in compliance with
the orders OF the commission, have
fled several hundred changes effective
March 81.
Among the important items was an
advance OF 100 per cent on binding
Irvine, 30 per cent on s!los, % per cent
on sweat pads and collars, 80 per cent
on essential oils. 40 per cent on cattle
and sheep dip, $50 per cent on litter
carriers mixed with agricultural imple-
ments.
a few of the important phases of
the decisions OF the commission il
this case are as follows:
First in Importance are the rules
and regulations. The carriers proposed
"a n
every city. town and hamlet west OF
the Mississippi river. The state COM
missions made objections 10 fourteen
Of these rules and changes We're made
or ordered in twelve Of them.
"A concrete illustration of these con-
Germs the dunnage allowance. Prior To
the issuance of No. u, the carriers per-
rnitted shippers to use lumber an!
boards To prop up machinery in car.
the railroads hauling 500 pounds of
such lumber free of charge. No. 81
abolished this dunnage privilege, and
the commission ordered II reinstated.
When one considers the thousands o.
shipments that are made annually. The
Importance OF such a ruling can be APP
preciated.
Rates on Hides.
another change Of importance 10 the
western half OF the United States con-
Germs green hides. The carriers put in
a rule permitting them TO refuse to
take green hides for shipment. We
pointed out that they could be stored
or handled in livestock cars, and not
contaminate other commodities, and
claimed that the carriers should he
compelled TO accept same for transpor-
tation. Our position was sustained by
the commission.
Second, several hundred advances
were proposed by the railroads in min.
mum weights. They announced then
policy 10 be the establishment Of mini
NUNS upon the physical caDacity Of
the cars, refusing to take into consider
alton the comm ercial conditions sur
rounding the transportation. Prior &c
the decision in this case the commits
sion was divided on this proposition.
"A concrete illustration Of the re-
suit of this policy is as follows: Ferris