Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-07-10
MESILLA VALLEY
HAY-GROWERS TO
GET RELIEF
Santa Fe Must Re-Adjust
Rates Into Texas, Rules In
terstate Commerce Commits
sion.

~ Paso. Texas. July 9.-Relief. al-
though not Granted hy order, is
promised II the railroads do not re-
adjust freight rates ut once. Ia an
opinion uf the Interstate commerce
commission In the case Of the Mesiila
Valley Produce exchange against the
Santa Re railroad. The allegations
were that rates 10 Texas discr.minat-
ed against the Mesllln valley In favor
of that portion Of the valley below
the Texas New Mexico line at la
Tuna and Anthony.
The Mesilla Valley Produce ex-
change OF Las Cruces filed a petition.
through Rufus u. Daniel OF this city,
on August "a. 1919. alleging that the
santa Fe was discriminating against
the Mesilia valley In favor OF In
Tuna and the 81 Paso valley. The
case was heard In ri Paao last jan
uary, and IN April the Produce ex-
change sent Daniel 10 WashinStOn 90
argue the case orally. and ON June
, the opinion was rendered.
Commissioners Decision.
II was held that tho through rates
To Louisiana are not shown to be un-
reasonable az compared with rates
from Colorado anoN Roswell. hut os TO
the Texas rates the commission has
tlis tu say;
THE 2i-cent blanket rate 20 Texas
points from La Tuna and stations
south thereof. and the addition Of
the local rates To La Tuna on traffic
from upper valley points. subjects the
shippers In the upper valley To dts
advantage, and, although carriers are
not required 20 so adjust their rates
az 10 overcome natural disadvant-
ages. and although the record does
not show that these rates are unreas-
enable. We think that the disadvant-
axe 10 which the upper valley rs sub
lected under the present adjustment
is undue. The carriers contend that
the local rates are not unreasona BILE
per se, Of as prOportionais ~ through
rates; but they rely mainly upon the
proposition tina they are compelled
by the state of Texas to maintain the
discriminatory rates from Texas
points In the lower valley. There IL
no justification for granting one To-
cality an advantage over another, not
arising from differences in transpor-
tation conditions, and no such difrer-
ences are shown 90 exist In this in
stance. The principles announced la
the shreveport ease. 20 |. G.. G.. 81.
are 81 interest here; and state rates
must not be so applied as TO result In
undue advantage 10 Interstate ship
pers."
Must Establish New Rates.
continuing. the commission saws.
We shall expect the defendants 10
make all Reasonable efforts Ia estab-
lish rates on hay from the points de-
scribed In the complaint 10 deatina o.
tions on connecting lines in Texas In
conformity with the Views here ex 4.
pressed. " such rates are not estab-
lished within three months, com.
plainant may ne an amended petit
ton. naming the destinations in
volved, and such further proceedings
viii De had as may be necessary "a
give effect "a our conclusions"
Mr. Daniel who handled the case
/ from the beginning Tor the hay grow
efs, Is now recovering from seven
weeks Siege Of sickness and says as
a result of the decision he rs vCrS
much hrnced mp. lie remarked that
the opinion merely serves 10 show ore
OF the many advantages now enjoyed
/ by VI Paeo In the matter uf freight
rates as against New Mexico.