The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1915-12-16

commission, the answer is that If
excessive revenue be the result the
evil can be easily and quickly re-
moved after the rates have been
given trial.
This narroWs the issue down to
where respondents have nothing to
combat, so far as at present advised.
except the opinions or wishes of
other interested parties, set up in OPP
position to the solemn judgment OF
an administrative body arrived at
and pronounced after three years
deliberation.
Happily the order places Atlanta
as the heart of the South in the
matter Of rates, and so simplifies the
work Of the Commission as that here
after complaint from Atlanta that
it's rates from rivers, gulf or ocean
are unreasonably high, upon such
complaint duly made, supported by
evidence and sustained by the Com
mission, will result not only in re-
auctions to Atlanta, but in CORE
spending reductions to more than
thousand other points in Georgia.
For example, sugar rates under
Order 1866 were put in force in June
rates to six stations between Mont
gomery and Atlanta, and reduced
rates to fifty stations between Mont
gomery and Atlanta. The Atlanta
New Orleans rate was increased
cents per 100 lbs, while the La
Grange rate was reduced 10 cents
per 100 lbs.
Atlanta is now seeking before this
Commission a reduction of the rate
established in June, and if it sue
ceeds, like reduction will auto
matically be made to fifty inter-
mediate points. The relation of rates
being established by the Commission
in obedience to law, broadens the
field of the Atlanta Freight Bureau
and converts it into an institution
serviceable to large part of the
South Order 1866 and the opinion
filed in it's exposition and support, is
a masterful and exceedingly credit
able performance of grave duty i'm
posed by positive mandate of the law
making power The discretion vested
in the Commission to permit depar-
lures from the long and short haul
principle, has been so cautiously,
wisely and judiciously exercised as to
justify the assertion that the order
is so perfect and symmetrical as to
make rate reyisions in the South
hereafter the simplest of problems.
From beginning to end this order
deals with and solves the basing point
system, condemned alike by National
and State Commissions, when carried
too far, and while recognizing the
Just, but local interferences Of short
navigable streams, the order recog-
nizes the controlling force Of water
rates from port to port on rivers, gulf
and ocean and establishes a mileage
basis of rate construction for all in
termediate territory. Obedience to
law by the Commission has been in
telligent and implicit, departures
from the law have been allowed with
due caution and circumspection, and
the only question under this Order
which can arise in the future will be
one of reducing excessive revenue
and not the disturbing of relations
between communities.
Order 1856 would eliminate from
the labors of the Atlanta Freight Bu-
reau every trace of selfishness, and
make it's future efforts patriotic and
altruistic. In fine spirit it will be
working for the public good, not, as
the farmers say, for standing wages,
but for part of the crop. The sugar
case illustrates the point.
Order 1856 will promote and en-
courage the development of all COM