Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-05-01

Reasons For Increases
"4th. For short hauls the proposed
rates generally represent advances.
We have asked for these advances in
the short-haul rates:
(a) To partially compensate for
substantial reductions in rates for
long hauls, and even greater reduc-
tons made necessary by the observ-
ance of the long and short haul rule:
and
(b) Because of our conviction
that, due to the increase in number
of jobbing points, the average length
of our short, or second, hauls will be
materially reduced; and that, owing
to the shifting of trade to primary
markets, such hauls will, in many
cases, be entirely eliminated
9Th. On certain articles which
are given commodity rates the pro-
posed basis means reduction in the
freight rates on both short and long
hauls, except to the old "Basing
Points,"
"On certain other articles given
commodity rates the proposed basis,
in some instances, means advances
both on long and short hauls. In
such cases the roads have proposed
these advances for the reasons that
the rates in Georgia on such articles
are substantially lower than rates on
the same articles between other
points in Southern territory: and, as
a matter of fact, rates on some of
the articles are actually lower than
the rates on the same articles in the
territory Of exceptional traffic density
north Of the Ohio and Potomac Riv-
ers served by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and
other carriers of great financial
There is no transportation reason
why rates on commodities in Geor-
gia, lower than on interstate traffic
between points in Georgia and in
other states, should exist
18th. In addition to the proposed
readjustment of class and commodity
rates, the Railroad Commission of
Georgia is also asked to adopt the
Southern Classification, with certain
exceptions, to case for articles of
the gross or heavy type, such as
brick, clay, sand, marble, granite or
stone, fre-proof thing, etc, in lieu Of
the present separate Georgia CLASH
fcation.
Uniform Classification.
"The carriers, through a special
Committee known as the Uniform
Classification Committee, whose en-
tire time is devoted to classification
work, have since 1908 been actively
engaged in formulating a Uniform
Classification.
More than rs per cent of the de-
scriptions of articles, methods Of
packing, carload minimum weights,
carload mixtures, and rules in the
Southern Classification were adopted
by the Southern Classification Com
mittee on the recommendations of
the Uniform Classification Com
mittee, and these descriptions, car
load minimum weights, etc, are the
same as applicable in the Official
and Western classification terrific
ries.
There is every reason why
state classification having intrastate
application should be uniform with
the general classification used on
traffic into and out of said state
The necessity for uniform classified
ton has been recognized and urged
by the National Association of State
Railroad Commissioners, various
trade and industrial bodies, and the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
THE adoption of the Southern
Classification would have the effect
of changing many ratings in Geor-
gia on articles not covered by COM
modify rates and not assigned to the
Exceptions to the Southern CLASH
fication. Some Of the changes would
mean reductions and others advances
in the present ratings in the Georgia
Classification, but would result in
ratings, descriptions of articles,
methods of packing, carload mini
mum weights and carload mixtures,
and rules being uniform with those
generally applicable between points
in the Southern territory.
"A great many erroneous state
ments as to the effects of the propos-
ed adjustment have appeared in some
Georgia newspapers. While we do
not believe that the Georgia press in
tends to distort the facts, it is not
improbable that other erroneous
statements will be published, due to
lack of proper information. We,
therefore, ask the shipping public to
call upon the representative Of the
carriers for any information that
they desire, which will be gladly and
promptly furnished"
Will Furnish information.
In order that any shipper may be
able to secure authoritative informa-
ton in regard to any feature of the
proposed revision a committee of
traffic representatives. has been
flat, With 1,oo 80.