Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-30
Formal Statement Filed With
|. C. C. Bearing on CON-
plants of Merchants.
STORE DOOR DELIVERY
NO PART OF FREIGHT RATE
Companies Answer the Allegations Of
Discrimination Made by Wash
ington Business Firms.

contained in the two complaints filed
with the interstate commerce commits
sion-one by the Chamber of Commerce
and the Retail Merchants Association
Jointly, and the other by Judd & Det-
weiler-a number of railroads have
filed their formal answers with the
commission. This is the case in which
the local firms specifically attacked the
freight rates which formerly carried
the free -store-door delivery privilege
and in which the complainants declare
the withdrawal of the service makes
an increase in rates.
To the Judd & Detweiler complaint the
MARYLAND and Pennsylvania Railroad
Company denies that 1t forms any part
in the joint route to this city from the
points carrying the store door delivery
rates, and is therefore not interested. The
West Shore railroad and the Pittsburgh
and Lake Erie Railroad Company deny
that their rates are unjust, unreasonable
or unlawful In any respect. The wash
ington Run Railroad Company did not
Tionesta Railway Company asserts that
its rates are not excessive. This company
asks the commission to refuse the pray
er of the petitioners for re-establishment
of store door delivery.
Answer to Merchants.
To the Chamber Of Commerce and Re-
tail Merchants complaint the Mont
pelier and Wells River railroad asserts
that its rates are not excessive or un-
lawful, and denies that the complain
ants will be entitled to reparation. The
West Shore railroad and the Pittsburgh
and Lake Erie Railroad Company, in
joint reply. also declare that their rates
are not excessive, or that they have
been increased since January, 1910. The
Western Maryland Railway Company
denies that it is party to any rates
that are unjust or unreasonable. The
Washington Run railroad did not file
a formal answer to this complaint. but
declares it's willingness to accept the
commissions decision.
Deny Baltimore Contention.
Denying that their class rates between
Baltimore and Philadelphia. New York,
Providence and Boston were discrimina
tory, unreasonable and unjust, the Balti
more and Ohio railroad and othe- roads
have replied to the complaint of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Associa-
ton of Baltimore which attacked these
rates. This case Is another Of those
growing out of the action of the railroads
in Withdrawing free store door delivery
from Washington and Baltimore patrons.
The Lehigh and New England Railroad
Company in its reply declares it is not
interested In through business between
the points involved. 1t states further
that it's class rates to and from Bal
timore have not been increased, but. to
the contrary. reduction has been made
in the first and second class rates.
The Montpelier and Wells River Rail-
road Company asserts that its rates are
not unreasonable or unjust. and denies
the charge that, pending decision, the
complainants will have to pay alleged ex-
cessive charges. and would therefore be
Central and Hudson River railroad, as
lessee Of the West Shore railroad and
the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
Company replies in similar vein.
Admits Advance in Rates.
The Western Maryland Railway Com
pany. however. admits that it's rates
were advanced since January 1910, as
charged
The Northampton and Bath Railroad
Company declares that. while it is a
party to sundry and various tariffs. it is
not a part of any through route between
Philadelphia and places contiguous there
to taking the same rates. and Baltimore.
1t alleges that "Whle its rails make 1t
physically possible for it to be an inter
mediate carrier between tne other points
named In the petition and Baltimore, yet
such use would be unnatural and very
little. IL any, freight has moved Is
moving between points named in the Pc
tition via this company rails.
Disclaims Discrimination.
The Sheffield and Tionesta railway as
serts In its reply that 1t did not feel 1t
has violated any rule Of the commission
nor Disseminated against Baltimore by
providing higher class rates between that
city and the other points involved in the
petition. 1t declares. however that it Is
not even engaged in trac between Bal
timore and those points, being only a
party 10 the traffic which quotes rates
between these points and Baltimore. Md.
The Washington Run Railroad Company
and the Bush Terminal Railroad Com
pany both declare that they will abide
by the decision of the commission. and
do not make formal reply to this petition.
To Fight Increased Rates.
In close alliance with the other issue
is a proposed change in rates. Counsel
fer the Chamber of Commerce and the
Retail Merchants Association began at
3 O'Clock this afternoon a conference to
determine the future course of these two
trade bodies i'll the coming legal battle
to obtain lower freight rates both to and
from Washington. Those at the meeting
were CnaplH bTO"H, general coulSel, ana
H. carlton Hanes, special counsel for the
Chamber of Commerce, and Maurice d.
Rosenberg, counsel for the Retail Mer-
chants Association.
The attorneys will go over the whole
rate situation. especially the proposed in
crease OF 5 per cent on all classes of
freight by all of the railroads east of the
Mississippi river. This increase will fur
nish a serious problem to the local mer-
chants in their fight to have lower rates
TO this city, and it is with view to deter
mining what course should be followed
that this conference has been called, it is
said.
Will File New Rate Schedule.
1t Is apparent that the rates are going
into effect, for dispatches from Baltimore
declare that President Willard will file the
increases with the interstate commerce