The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-11

GRAND, MONDAY.
informed of the disadvantages as
viewed by the business interests M
less the manufacturer, the jobber, and
the retailer contributes his knowl.
edge as is REFLECTED to him in the cuE:
rcdt exchange OF business.
Under the old system Of rate mq'f'
ing, little information was asked c..
cept from the larger companies as to
the rates necessary to permit an easy
flow Of commerce through q particular
channel, resulting in preferential
rate making. In modern practice this
has somewhat changed and communi.
ties and shippers throughout tbs
country are giving expression in open
conference, both with the carriers,
and If necessary with the commission,
which is molding comprehensive
rate structure, bringing general salts
faction to the public, rs we'll as to
the carriers. 1t is not expected that
the railroad officials can keep inform.
ed of the influencing and ever chang
ing conditions of trade, and rates cs.
.abllshed are frequently made with
out regard to the effect on trade. 1t
will be sen, therefore. that these two
forces may be united, in an effort to
mutual advantage. and ignorance dis.
PEELED. ...
The commission looks upon the car
rier as a public servant and a more
ready hearing is given by it than
formerly, so that boards of trade,
chambers of commerce, and like
associations. speaking for the indlvid-.
nal industry are encouraged to present
their needs and adopt the more con-
ciliatory method for arriving at results.
that will be mutually satisfactory.
The so-called elias rate schedules
are those that affect the larger per.
centage of people, being the maxi
mum rates assessed. The commodity
rates are established more generally
on materials that move in large"
quantities and at les than the class
rate at which such commodity is pro
vidcd nj the general classification.
There are, therefore. two sets Of
schedules OF rates that can affect
community favorably or adversely,
viz: class and commodity rates. A
review of both sets of schedules show
them to be cut out OF alignment, both
as to the service performed, as well
MS In comparison with other similarly
located districts.
1t can not be charged that any mo
tive exists to place handicap on the,
so.called Clarksburg-Fairmon district,
but the fact is that in other territory
the aggressiveness OF the shipper has
brought him relief, and the Baltimore
and Ohio will take cogni2anee OF any
intelligent presentation, which will be
fathered by the business interests Of
this locality.
The time has passed when territory,
local to n single line, may be held to
4 higher basis Of rates than justified
by the several controlling factors IN
rate making, and the geographical
position of this territory so closely
parallels the Pittsburgh district, when
rates east and west are considered,
that different basis seems indie
feasible. Sholld the Baltimore and
Ohio for selfish reasons decline to
take this view, after all The facts are
presented, which give color to the
comparison, the facility is established
and Is OF ready access for determin'
ing the correctness of this presump'
tion.
Errors in judgment that were made
long since, in determining the rates,
made. by proper negotiation and dis.
playof the facts, and some PATIENCE
be corrected; without indulgIng iu
thelSst resort that ,of filing eomplaint
MIN tae ccnmisston ayocate
tais PetAoaS " v