The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-08-12

Stutsman. Freight rates from within
the state to points within the state
may be affected by the Minnesota deci-
sion and they may not. Whatever re-
duct1on is made Will be voluntary!
and shippers will not be entitled to-
any refund Of excessive rates hereto
fore paid"
The outline Of today's programme
had not yet been made when the COM
mission convened this morning On
account Of the belated arrival of some
Of the railroad officials who signified
desire to be here. the morning ses-
sion was not started early.
This afternoon it is probable that
much consideration will be given the
alteration of express rates within the
state to conform with the new ruling
of the interstate commerce commits
sion which recently reduced the ex-
press tariffs throughout the country.
Changing Express Rates.
The alteration of express rates with
in the state of North Dakota was
first suggested to the state railroad
commission about a year ago. 1t was
just about the time when the gener-
al reduction of express rates was be-
ing agitated throughout the country
at large so the North Dakota COM
mission postponed it's consideration
until the interstate. commerce commits
sion reached some decision. .a@E
The interstate commerce commission
submitted ito the express companies
a projected plan of reduction to rec
if it would work. The companies
objected strenuously to the proposi-
ton and unanimously declared it was
impracticable.
Finally a few weeks ago came the
final decision of the interstate COM
merce commission which included the
aI, hae. Inay yn1N ynfI
for express rates. Under the new plan
the country has been divided into
zones similar to the scheme evolved
by the postoffice department for the
operation of the parcel post.
Local Rates to Conform.
Under the new scheme governing
the rates of express companies, there
will be a perceptible reduction on all
express packages even, less than 100
pounds.
The North Dakota commission will
now give attention to changing the
express rates within this state in con-
formity with the interstate commerce
commissions new ruling, so that the
state and federal plans will be in
operation on the same basis.
In some instances President Stuts-
man said this morning the new federal
ruling and reduction will mean an in
crease of express rates. In the state
of Wisconsin the state rate, changed
some years ago through legislation
brought about by Senator LaFollette
when governor, was lower than the
new federal rate. This will make an
increase of express rates in Wiscon-
sin. In Minnesota this will apply
also.
G. NJ. Men Here.
G. J. Murphy, attorney for the Great
Northern at Grand Forks, and G. e.
Mclaughlin, division superintendent
for the same road at Grand Forks, ap-
peared before the commissioners this
afternoon in regard to cabooses. or
way cars on freight trains. The state
law regulating the size Of cabooses
was the topic they were interested In
and they had an expert to explain
certain regulations they have in force
that do not comply with the state law.
Fargo Man Spoke.
G. L. Hubbell of the Midland Prod
uce Co. of this city. appeared before
the board to discuss cream rates. Mr..
Hubbell gave the members of the COM
mission very interesting talk regard
ing centralizer cream plants, such as
they have established in Fargo.
have established, in Fargo.
He went on to show that such plants
tend to build up the dairy business
throughout the state and pave the way
for new creameries. Mr. Hubbell will
prepare a formal petition, covering his
ideas regarding rates and present it
to the commission for their consisSsra-
tion.