The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-07
ADVANTAGEOUS RATES HAVE
BEEN GAINED BY RICHMOND
THROUGH COMMERCE CF1ANER

REPORT OF TRAFFIC MANAGER
! GOODMAN SHOWS ACCOMPLISH
MENTs OF YEAR.
In writing his report for the year
1914. f. s. Goodman. traffic manager
OF the Chamber of Commerce, made re-
ference to his report for 1918 which
+, stated:
During 1919. a few great and i'm
portant issues monopolized great
deal OF the thought and OF the work
ing time of both carriers and CONNER
cial organizations. This had the ef-
feet OF eScludirt- from adequate con
! sideration and conclusive action. a
number of other matters Of much merit
affecting the commercial and transpor
tation interests of Richmond which
will have 10 go over into 1914 for
settlement"
Not all Of those issues have reached
settlement, and additional ones have
arisen OF ooh rational and sectional
character. in which Richmond and
other Virfinta ci,ies similarly affected
and having common interest can
hardly escape becoming involved.
Rate Increase Cr~~.
This cnss is now out of the way.
having been settled in accordance With
| the desires of the carriers. which will
! issue and file with the Interstate Com
uerce Commission, the increased rates.
reports Mr.. Goodman in opening his
summary of the traffic situation affect
/ ing all business interests of Richmond.
/. lie continues:
TO compile and print their tariffs is
AaN III. To-
may be several weeks before they
will become effective Few among the
public viii Nc found complaining OF
the Commissions decision, except as
unforeseen effects may result In rate
Inequalities, materially affecting their
ability 90 overcome by economies In
their business. In which case those
persons have their remedy in com
plant to the Commission for cor
rection OF such Inequalities AS may
not. then, In the opinion of the Com
mission. he Justified Whatever may
have been the views of those opposing
the increased rates. itg 49, the. hope
OF the traffic bureau that the antiet-
pations OF the carriers and others. Of
the benefcent results 80 follow, may
be FULLY realized THIS bureau, be
lieving that, emily. Through the Inee~
state Conimsrc& Comm sstou could
ton tie reached, drew 10 resolutions
adopted BY Tire kpland Trafs Comsnls
tee in June. 1919. later approved by
the board OF directors yiYir. eS~
preston TO determination OF nom
interference on the part OF the Cham
Der and confidence in the Commission.
which has been consistently :dneved
TO.
North Carolina Rate Case.
4 This is one of the sectional issues
! ia which the Cham bers OF Commerce.
of Richmond. Petersburg Norfolk and
Roanoke having a common interest.
have been involved since 1918. Re
ductious in the rates from Louisville,
origin. 10 North Carolina cities and
localities. have been issued Affecting
injuriousis the cofnmerce thereto OF
not only the four cities named, but.
| also. number of other Virginia cities
and localities, so that. upon repre-
sensations OF the said cities. tho State
Corporation Commission OF Virginia
has filed with the Interstate Commerce
Commission a petition praying that
Just. reasonable. and nondiseriminatory
freight rates be established between
Virginia cities and various cities and
localities in North Carolina. The yir-
ginia cities. through their counsel,
, have hled Intervening petitions coz
tanning the same PRAYER
Rates to the Southeast.
Under a decision OF tho Interstate
Commerce Commission. rendered April
IL. als14. carriers engaged In interstate
commerce to and from Southeastern
points In the states OF South Carolina.
Georgia, Florida. Alabams. Mississippi
Tennessee and other Southern States.
have. for many months. been engaged
in general revision of rates to re-
move determinations in conflict with
the fourth section fthe long land
short-haui clause, of the act TO regu-
late commerce.
II Is the duty OF your traffie manager
to report that unless decisive and APP
prorriate action il taken at the proper
time. to preserve a just relation be-
tween our rates and the rates from
eastern port cities and interior points
to said Southeastern points, the Allan
tic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line and
Southern Railway win 80 unduly and
unreasonably increase our rates to the
Southeast under an interpretation OF
the Commissions decision. which in
depreciation your traffic manager be-
lieves to be erroneous, that dislo-
cation OF our rates will result and
constitute serious disadvantage in
competing for the trade of the South
east.
This conclusion is founded on the
statement OF responsible officials OF
those carriers to your traffic manager
OF their purpose to increase these rates
to certain indicated levels.
II is due to the carriers named to
sffrm that 1t Is the belief Of your
trafifc manager that the present rela-
ton OF our rates to those from Eastern