Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-21

The public utilities Wednesday rem
dered a decision in the matter of the
investigation by 1t on its own motion
Of the freight rate Of fuel hardwood
shipped from Hudson. Maine, to Ban
gor, Maine, ordering that the Bangor
& Aroostook Railroad Company and
the Maine Central Railroad Company
substitute for the existing rate Of $1.65
per cord a rate Of $1.35 per cord for
the haulage Of fuel hardwood between
Hudson and Bangor, the present min
mum carload to be maintained, and
that the railroad companies comply
with this order on or before October Is,
1916.
The decision Of the public utilities
commission covering this matter says
in part:
This is a complaint originated by
the Bacon & Robinson Wood Company
Ut Bangor. Maine, and investigated by
the Commission under Section As OF the
Utilities Act, alleging that the joint
rate of $1.65 per cord on hardwood for
fuel from Hudson, Maine, to Bangor
Maine. a combined distance OF 2l.2
miles, is unjust and unreasonable Tor
the service performed.
THE commissions notice Of investi-
CATION, dated Sept. IA. 1915, and an or
der dated Sept. 20. 1915, calling for
formal public hearing, were duly
served on all parties interested. The
case was finally set for a hearing on
nd hold that date be-
fore the Commission at Augusta
Maine.
Hudson, Maine, Is located on the
line Of the Bangor & Aroostook Rall-
road at a distance Of 1873 miles north
OF Northern Maine Junction. Maine
Bangor. Maine, is located on the line
of the Maine Central Railroad at dis
lance of So miles east Of Northern
Maine Junction.
1.-THE principal defendant in this case
is the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad
Company as that company under the
existing agreement with the Maine
Central Railroad Company establishes
all rates to or from Bangor and Ban
COR & Aroostook stations. all revenue
accruing therefrom being divided on
mutually established percentage divi-
sions.
while the movement in question is
q two-carrier haul the rate Is fixed by
one traffic official without consulting
the wishes Of the other. This being So
II might be considered as one-nne
rate as 1t gives the issuing carrier, the
Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, the
mower to arbitrarily make such rates
"a will suit its interests and protect
It. full proportion Of the revenue.
mo evidence has been produced as
an analysis Of the rate attacked. l!
was however, agreed that q cord OF
easoned hardwood for fuel weighs
about 1000 lbs. Using this as basis
It is found that the rate OF $l.65 per
cord is the equivalent OF ~ IL Genus
per net ton. It further shows that on
the through mileage a rate OF 900
cents ner ton mile is obtained. This per
TON mile rate is not, however, exactly
what each line receives for the indlvio-
nal hauls. While the Maine Central
mileage Is one third that OF the bangor
& Aroostook, the percentage olVlsions
may not be so arranged.
"It was contended by the de1enoants
+,.+ information pertaining to the OIL
vision Of the through rate was lmina-
terial in determining the reasonaoie-
ness of the rate. The Commission 10
not finally convinced that this Is Inc
correct view, for 1t should De evioea'
that in order to thoroughly investlgate
oil features and report Its findings es-
necially in a one party constructeo
~. the Commission should have
knowledge Of the different phases m
vo,ved therein. But inasmuch as the
evidence concerning the division IS not
before us. we can do no more tnan
draw reasonable differences troH "h"'
evidence Is before US.
1.-THE complainant carries on extern
sively operations at Green Lake, Mains
located on the Maine Central kali
road and that carrier for the haul OF
TT miles from Green Lake to bangor
anplies a rate Of IS cents a coro. Ihls
rate Is for a local line haul ana IN
wives two terminals: necessarily II
covers the expenses incident to nano-
ling the traffic at the two terminals III
addition to other fixed expenses. IL Is
found that this rate allows the Maine
Central Railroad Company "a Genus per
ton mile. The opinion expressed oy
tho general freight agent Of the Bangor
& Aroostook Railroad Company that
tho fuel wood rates Of the Maine Cen
trail were too low. hardly seems to be
a fact as such rates have recently been
reproduced without change In a new
tariff. The complainant has testineo
that the Maine Central rates are salts
factory and It is also apparent that
thai carrier considers them as remun-
erative.
Accident at VIM.
Tho public utilities commission
Wednesday rendered a decision in the
matter Of the accident at Winn on
Sept. 8 last which resulted in the death
Of Mrs. James McEwan.