Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-19
THE SHORT LINE
RAILROADS HAVE.
PLEAD REDUCING.

ATLANTA, Ga, March ia com
mittee Of traffic officers representing
tWerty-four of the short-line railroads
Of Georgia, known as "CIass D" rail-
roads appeared before the rail
road commission of Georgia to request
revision of their freight rates similar
to that requested by the trunk lines
operating in Georgia in the petition
they filed on March 7th.
AS is understood generally, the rates
of the short lines are in large measure
constructed with reference to the rates
Of th trunk lines and in their petition
the short linese ask that, should the
commission authorize the revision ask
eG for by the trunk lines, it will con-
tinue the relative basis for fixing rates
for short lines, same as now in eff
feet, thus continuing a system of rate
making which will be uniform for all
lines in the state. The short lines also
ask that the Southern classification,
with certain exceptions, be adopted in
place Of the present Georgia classified
ton.
On this basis rates for the short lines
on Glasses 1 to B would be substan-
TALLY 20 per cent. in excess of pro-
posed trunk lines rates for hauls Of
50 miles and under, and IL per cent. IN
excess of these rates for hauls over
2 miles; these being the percentage
differences now in effect. On Classes
c and D, and the rates asked for would
be the same as the proposed trunk
line dates; and for Glasses 81 to R" the
rates will be the same as the present
short line rates. The petition also con.
tains a schedule showing proposed
commodity rates
Tie purpose of the petition is ex-
planned as follows:
The adjustment proposed is for the
purpose of enabling harmonious and
consistent revisions of the rate struc-
ture within the state in line with the
revision requested in the petition filed
with the commission by the class "B
and c" roads. Petitioners realize that
the commission might find it impracti-
cable to prescribe and put into effect
now rates, rules and commodity de-
sccriptions, for use of only a part of
the railroads throughout the state. The
correctness Of this view is illustrated
with respect to many commodity de-
scriptions proposed by the class &C"
roads. For example, canned goods
The trunk lines ask that the commits
sion adopt and prescribe certain COM
modify mileage rates applicable on
numerous articles in the canned goods
list. Should the application be APP
proved by the commission for the class
&C" roads and no change made in the
rates for class %" roads on canned
goods, confusing situation would re
salt In brief, it appears that if re
vision in freight rates is made for
other Georgia carriers, REIMBURSEMENT
CT rates is essential for Glass Cd
roads, substantially continuing such
parity as has heretofore existed. A re-
adjustment is necessary in order that
new determinations and inconsisten
cjes may not be created"
The roads filing the petition were the
Glowing: Augusta Southern Railroad
Company, Bowden Railway Company,
Charleston and Western Carolina Rail-
way Company, Elberton and Eastern
Railway Company, Flint River and
Northeastern Railroad Company,
Gainesville and Midland Railroad Com
pany, Georgia and Florida Railway,
Georgia Coast and Piedmont Railroad
Company, Georgia, Florida and Ala
bama Railroad Company, Tennessee,
Alabama and Georgia Railroad Com
pany, Sandersville Railroad Company,
Georgia Southwestern and Gulf Rail-
way Company, Greene County Railroad
CODopoDv LIaulyfpcy,;I1o opd IIor;do