Imperial Valley press., 1913-12-27


San Pedro and San Francisco bay
points.
While it may be true that the car
riers in Texas absorb 10 cents per
100 pounds representing a compress
ing charge, it is equally true that by
making this absorption the railroads
obtain a much heavier loading for
their cars, and the record shows that
from $4,000 to $4,000 pounds of COM
pressed cotton is loaded into a car as
against a minimum weight of 10000
pounds in effect in California.
Based on the present rate of 65
cents per 100 pounds, minimum weight
$1,000 pounds per car, the average
earnings of the defendant on cotton
transportation from Glamis or I'M
perial valley points to San Francisco
are Is cents per car mile, which, con-
sidering the average earnings of the
Southern Pacific system of 21 cents
per car mile, certainly indicates that
the rate in question is not by COM
parison excessive. Based on the pres
ent rate of $12.4O per ton, minimum
weight of 10000 pounds, the average
earnings from Glamis to San Pedro,
distance of 24O miles, are Al cents
per car mile, which, l believe, under
all the circumstances, is excessive.
We have checked the loading of sew
eral hundred cars of cotton from I'm
perial valley, and the shippers do not
seem to have been consistent in load
ing the cars as heavily as possible.
1t would appear from the record that
many cars of the same dimensions
were loaded with greatly varying
amounts of cotton. About 60 per
cent Of the cars loaded carried more
than 10000 pounds, while many cars
of the same dimensions as those carry
ing over 10000 pounds were loaded
as low as 10000 pounds. 1t is ap-
parent to me that if shippers take the
proper precautions to compress cot
ton sufficiently no difficulty will be
encountered in loading 100000 pounds
into the average car of 40 feet in
length.
l find as fact that the present rate
on cotton and cotton linters from I'M
perial valley points to San Pedro and
Los Angeles are excessive and un-
reasonable, and should not exceed a
rate of 40 cents per 100 pounds, min
imum carload weight 10000 pounds.
Defendant should also maintain this
rate from Glamis, but inasmuch as no
specific complaint was made against
the Glamis rate, no order will be en-
tered as to it.
l submit herewith the following
form of order:
ORDER
]. J. Chappell, having filed a COM
plant with this commission alleging
that the rates on cotton and cotton
linters from Imperial valley points to
San Francisco, Oakland, East Oak
land, San Pedro and Los Angeles are
excessive and unreasonable, and a
hearing having been held, and the
commission being fully apprised in the
premises, and basing it's order on the
findings of fact set out in the opinion
preceding this order,
1t is hereby ordered that complaint
of J. J. Chappell, with reference to
the rates to San Francisco, Oakland,
East Oakland on cotton and cotton
linters from Imperial volley points be
and the same is hereby dismissed; and
1t is hereby ordered that the South
ern Pacific Company publish and file
with this commission on or before
twenty days from the date of service
of this order, rate of 40 cents per 100
pounds to apply on cotton and cotton
linters from Imperial valley points
to San Pedro and Los Angeles, which
rate is found to be just and reasonable
for such service.
The foregoing opinion and order are
hereby approved and ordered filed as
the opinion and order of the Railroad
Commission of the State of Califor-
MIA.
Dated at San Francisco, California,
this 23rd day of December, 1913.
JOHN Nj. ESHLEMAN
H. d. LOVELAND
EDWIN o. EDGERTON