The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-07
| of location as we possess In trading
with the carolinas.
! Protective Measures

of location as we possess In trading
with the carolinas
Protective Measures
With the knowledge since the fourth
section tthe long and short -ha III
clause) of the act to regulate COM
merce was amended in 1910. that a
revision OF rates affecting southeastern
territory would eventually be ordered
by the Commission. fer the removal of
unjust determinations In conflict with
that section of the act, your traf1tc
manager has watched the progress of
rate construction Hereunder. as 1t
was likely to affect the commerce of
this city.
In conformity with his duties as
defined by tho Chamber. and acting
under Instructions OF the committee
on inland trade. TO which committee
he reported at the proper moment the
necessity of preserving a proper rela-
ton of our rates to the Southeast.
he undertook to obtain this by friend
ly negotiation, as has been. and Is,
his custom. In this he had, and has,
the cooperation of the Norfolk Cham
Der of Commerce and the Petersburg
Chamber Of Commerce. the interests OF
which in this matter are identical
with ours
It has been the desire OF the repre-
sentatives of these three Chambers OF
Commerce that such measures might
avail, but in view of the erroneous in
depreciation which they believe the
carriers named have put upon the Com
missions decision and the reasonab Die
certainty that other shipping points
and localities will employ counsel to
attack the new rates before the Com i
mission. when filed. they have no doubt
whatever that the Virginia cities VIII
be compelled. likewise. to protect their
interests as affected by thsse rates
Gravity Of the Situation.
This Impending development II so
important md omjnous that Il con-
s.itutes. in tho opinion of your traffic
manager. justification for dwelling on
il at length, so that the members OF
this Chamber---not only the shippers
and consignees directly interested in
freight rates, but also the member
ship at Iarge--those whose welfare is
identified with ana rests upon the well
fare of the former--ray determine.
when thes time comes what course OF
action 10 adopt FOR the protection OF
that welfare,
comm~refsi Expansion Great.
The commercial expansion OF this
city has been 80 great that IL occurs
TO vour traffic manager that. In the
SdrJNGuS pYorCtAtbCU % tUFtF 0AatF
business activities. our business men.
while. in d general way approaching
our superiority OF location. may not
have gone into an analysis of it's four-
dalton, ard naas' therefore. have con-
ciudcd. In q general way. that II wa.
persfia nent beyond reasonable pos
sihility Of impairment
Readinsfmeutx Needed.
Gu the fast and reasonable settle
rnens Of this general and conprehen-
size rate situatio described above de-
pend also
l. TIE readjustment Of our rates on
sugar to an extensive area in the
Caroiinas. and the removal of diserin1i-
nations heretofore pointed out TO the
carriers.
2. The readjustment of our rates on
stoves. Preferential rates have been
issued by the carriers from practically
all manufacturing points except this
city.
8. The restoration OF rates on gin
ger ale. In carloads and analogous
articles, manufactured in Richmond,
These rates have been Withdrawn from
Richmond, while commodity rates have
been left standing from competing
points.
T. Other readjusfments on other ar
ticies. which establishments are difficult
OF brief description,
Following the Interstare Commerce
Commissions decision. fixing inter-
state express rates the express com
panies applied to Corporation Commits
sions In various states, including vir-
ginia. for permission TO apply on bus
mess within those states. the same
system of rates as prescribed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Nut Inturf0ur IN Ffrwt C1muA.
Under the operation Of the Interstate
system within this state. saving TO
our shippers was calculated to result
on shipments OF frst class or mer-
chandise of varying weights not ex-
cecding thirty pounds. transported
within the boundaries of this STAG
On weights exceeding thirty pounds,
a gradual Increase In the charge. Was
calculated TO result. hut as the ms-
Jority OF shipments transported In
all directions consisted Of packages
Weighing fifty pounds and under. the
proposed change. while seemingly In
furious, was not so. In fact
However on articles OF food, con-
sisting OF fruit vegetables, poultrv,
eggs. bread crackers butter, etc.
largely dealt In by the produce trade
and Transported in packages largely
in excess Of nfty pounds, there would
have been material increase in the
charges.
Reductions Obtained.
Your traffic manager, with the CO.
operation OF the express committee of
the Chamber and q committee OF the
Richmond Produce Exchange, appeared
before the state Corporation Commits
sion tn opposition to the Increased rates
on these articles. and they were finally
fixed by the state Corporation Com
mission or a materially lower scale
than the rates proposed by the express
companies
The express rates on currency from
stanton, Va, to Richmond. which had
CONTINUED on Second Pags.l