The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-02-24
Important Decision by Interstate
Commerce Commission.
PREHH FREIGHT Charge IS UNFAIR
Artificial Barrier Against Columbia
River Removed New Seized
uIe Takes Effect May |.

Washington, D. C.-The interstate
commerce commission Saturday rem
dered unanimous decision sustaining
the contention of Astoria that the
present freight rates from the Inland
empire are discriminatory and unduly
prefer Puget Sound ports, and order
ing readjustment, placing the Aston
ia rates on parity with those of Sc
attic, Tacoma and Portland as to a
portion of the Inland empire, and with
Seattle and Tacoma as to other por-
tions.
The decision recognizes the principle
that the railroads have been building
up an artificial barrier against the Co
lumbia river, and indicates recog-
milton Of the principle that trade
should move along the line of least re-
sistance for which Portland has long
commended.
In summoning up its decision the
commission says:
"a careful examination of the rec
ords makes it clear that these North
Pacific coast ports have closer geo
graphical and economic relations, one
to the other, than is at this time re-
fected in the tariffs of the defendant
carriers and that the latter, in their
pre~cnt rate adjustment, unduly dis
criminate against Astoria and unduly
prefer Puget sound ports.
I'VE also conclude and find from the
record that there is such relationship
between Seattle, Tacoma, Astoria and
Portland as to require them to be con-
sidered, forming more or less of a
natural rate group with respect to
much of the traffic in question.
"All facts adduced of record being
fully considered, we find, that between
Astoria and all points in this territory
on or east of the line of the Northern
Pacific, extending from Pendleton,
Or, through Pasco and Kennewick,
Wash, to Spokane, and on or east of
the line of the Great Northern, ex-
tending from Spokane northward, the
rates should not exceed the rates at
the same time maintained between
Seattle, Tacoma and Portland and such
points; between Astoria and points or
the Oregon Washington Railroad &
Navigation company east of Pendle-
ton, and points on the Oregon Shori
Line, the rates should not exceed the
rates at the same time maintained be-
tween Seattle and Tacoma and sucl
points; as to points north of Kenne
wick and west of the competitive terri
tory Just described. Astoria rates may
exceed the Portland rates in the same
amount that Portland rates are higher
than Seattle and Tacoma rates, provit
ed the arbitraries over Portland shall
in no case exceed the local rate be
tween Portland and Astoria; as to sta
lions of the Oregon Washington Rail
road & Navigation company and the
stations in the Spokane, Portland &
Seattle, west of Pendleton, and of tn
Cascade mountains, the Astoria rate
NAV exceed Portland rates by tn
same amount that the Seattle and Il
coma rates are higher than the Port
land rates, the differentials over Port
land in no case to exceed the loca
rate between Portland and Astoria.
Incidental to possible future pro
ceedings, the commission says:
at does not seem unduly venture
: some to assume purpose on the par
!, of Portland, in case of reduction i
| the Astoria rates to the basis of rate
to Puget sound ports, to call our at
tention at later date to its advar
tage, over Astoria, of 100 miles in dis
} lance from Inland empire points, t
predicate upon that fact demand fo
a corresponding reduction in its ow
: rates.
1.-THE order of the commission re
, quires that the readjustment of tn
j rates be made on or before May l, an
continue then in effect for period {
not less than two years from the dat
of taking effect.