The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-28

Commerce Commission. issued nearly
two years ago, directing the carriers
to discontinue violations of the fourth
section. long and short-hauI clause to
southern points, the Southern carriers
have Issued tariffs from Eastern port
cities and interior points In Maryla nd.
Pennsylvania. New York. etc. and also
from Virginia cities, South Atlantic
coast ports and Ohio and Mississippi
River points. In which, except where
permitted By the commission to make
rates 10 intermediate points higher
than. TO terminal land eompeting)
points, they have raised rates to ter
minal points Of great commercial i'm
portauce. and reduced rates TO inter-
mediate points OF minor Importance.
thus to conform, to the fourth section.
by not exceeding the rates 70 such
terminal points.
This. in itself. is not Incompatible
with the provisions OF the act 10 regu-
late commerce provided II is done to
discontinue the violations of the fourth
section forbidden by the commission,
and provided il is done In moderation,
and does not. in itself violate the
other provisions of the law enacted to
protect the public against unjust and
unreasonable rates and unjust and un-
due discrimination.
No Cause Tor Many Increases.
However, in the case of the Virginia
cities. and, in fact. OF practically. IL
not actually, every shipping point in
Virginia. 1t was complained by the
Chambers of Commerce of those cities
and the State Corporation Commission
OF Virginia. that the carriers have yio-
lated the provisions above mentioned.
rs they have not only raised the rates,
but raised them excessively and i'm
moderately. to such points as Atlanta,
Athens, Rome. Dalton. Chattanooga
aid a number Of other points when
there had not been and was not any
violation OF the long and Mort -ha vi
clause to remove.
EstabIiaked Relations Injured.
The chambers Of Commerce Of
The Chanherx of Commerce Of
Corporation Cen1issi0n also cess-
p,ntneA that IN raisf.g our rates
{" the destinations NAMED and to
nunsher Of ether destinations.
tina Increases were far greater
tkNn the increases FROM Baltimore
and other Eastern cities. and that
In the case 81 such reductions, -
were made frea present rates -
intermediate points. those reA1c-
lions were Wuch greater frco Raj
tim0re ana other Esstera cities
a1a bWtV1sWp POA0tA t06W wv
lions from Virginia. and, to that
extent. gave m undue and unress-
enable advantage 70 Easteva and
interior cities and inflicted upon
the Virginia cities anA chipping
points Within the State ~ Virginia
nm undue and unreasonable preiu-
dice and disadvantage, the eject
of which was lust as n the earriers
had taken the shipDing points In
them away from the destinations
for q considerable distance. sid
kaa taken and brought nearer -
said Destinations the cities of hat
ttmore. PHILADELPHIA and New York
and interior points in Maryland.
Pennsylvania. New York. etc.
History and Some Illustrations.
In 1883. following an investigation
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion relating to the enforcement OF
the iong-and short haul clause OF the
act to regulate commerce. the late MIR.
Sol Haas. whom we all remember as
the traffic manager Of the Associated
Railways of virginia and the Caro-
linas and subsequent traffic manager
of the Richmond and Danvilie Rail-
road. established a scale OF rates to
Atlanta. beginning with "a cents, first
class, down to 40 cents. sixth class,
from Virginia cities, and there were
no rates to intermediate points higher
than the 81 cents scale. At that time
the Richmond and Danviile Railroad,
the Atlantic Coast Line and the Sea-
board Air Line had not extended their
lines and consolidated with other
roads. nor did they own stock in coast
wise steamship lines. as Is the case
today. Their rates were made. as
stated by MIR. Haas at the time. with
relation to the rates from Eastern port
cities and the water competition along
the Atlantic coast, our rates being, on
thes S4-cent scale 10 Atlanta. The
nrst-class rate from Baltimore WA
|$1.07. AndsthA scale 20 continued for
= period e 1esspteen year1 unfil. e.