Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-08-18


miles, and reductions for greater dis
tances; also advances for certain
commodities on which it was thought
that the existing rates are entirely
inadequate, being lower than the rates
OF many other states where transpor-
{ tation conditions are similar, and low
er than the interstate rates on the
same articles into and out Of Georgia.
Mr.. Winburn further stated that 1t was
the belief Of the Railroads of Georgia
that the maximum rates that the rail-
roads are now permitted to charge are
too low, and cited a number of in.
stances in support of that claim. He
stated that the rates prescribed by
the Commission on the mileage scale
in 1880 were believed to be too low
! as q standard to be used at that time,
but since then there had been a lev.
cling down process brought about by
changes in classification, by the ex.
tension of continuous mileage tariffs,
by percentage reductions in Joint
rates, by special rates on articles OF
Importance, and by reductions in the
standard scale itself The rates on
articles moving in the largest volume
have been reduced by changes in elias
sifieation, and by changes in per car
weights.
Fertilizer Rates Reduced
He quoted brief extract from the
report of the Railroad Commission OF
Georgia for October, 1897, in which
it was stated that the carload weight
of cotton seed bulls was increased
from 10000 to $4,000 pounds, affecting
| a reduction in the rate of 42.6 per
cent; that the carload weight of brick
had been increased from $4,000 to 49,
| 000 pounds, at the same rate per
carload, making a reduction of 80 1-3
per cent; that all percentages above
! standard tariff were removed from
| fertilizers, making an average reduc-
| ton Of rates on fertilizer in this state,
about Is per cent, etc.
| Other examples brought out by Mr.
! Winburn showed that the rate on do
mestics, sheetings, shirtings, ETC., was
/ fixed by the Railroad Commission in
| 1880 for the Savannah Division of the
| Central of Georgia, % cents per 100
pounds for 100 miles, This rate was
reduced In 1882, and again in 1888.
until the rate was reduced to Is cents.
The 100 mile rate was used merely
as an illustration, other distances
! showing relative reductions. The rate
on brick has been reduced from time
to time since 1880, so that it is pos
sible to ship twice as many brick the
same distance for the same rate
charged in 1880
Another reduction brought out was
that on fertilizer When the rate was
/ Ii HI,
Georgia was allowed $120 per ton for
a mile haul, and now it is allowed
only SO cents, a reduction of 5S.7 per
cent.
How Rates Were Reduced
Mr.. Winburn showed that the rates
had been reduced not only by revised
tariffs by the Railroad Commission of
Georgia, but under the rule establish
| ed by the Commission providing that
where two or more connecting lines
are operated under one management
or control, they should be considered
as constituting one line, and the rates
computed upon continuous mileage
basis, whereas, previous to 1880, many
of these rates were based upon combi-
nation.
AS result of the growth and con-
solidation Of the Railroads Of Georgia,
there has been brought about con-
stantly lessening freight charge to the
public under this rule, and a conse-
quential lessening of the total revenue
to the carriers.
Another rule of the Commission
cited by Mr.. Winburn as a cause of
reduction in the revenues of the roads
was that which provides that the
rates over two or more lines instead
of being combination rates, should be
| combination of the rates of each road,
less 10 per cent.
Mr. Winburn declared that the mod
ification in the State rates suggest
ed by the carriers are reasonable in
! principle and amount; necessary to
adjust the State rates with the inter
state rates; and that they will not
retard the development of the com.
mercial interests Of the State.
Continuing Mr.. Winburn said:
THE companies, after full consid-
GRAFTON, are of the opinion that the
notifications suggested by them in
various rates are reasonable in prin-
ciple and in amount, and that if ap-
proved, they will aid the carriers in
the efforts they are making to i'm
prove the transportation facilities OF
the State and will not retard the le-
climate development of its agricultu.
raj, manufacturing or commercial in
terests.
Need For More Revenue
1.-The necessity of the carriers in the
Southeast for additional revenue is of
long standing, and their delay in ap.
plying to the Commission Of Georgia
for relief in this State is due to pc
culiar conditions. The passage of the
last amendment to the Interstate
Commerce Act in 1910 imposed upon
them the difficult task Of readjusting
their interstate rates in conformity
with the long and short haul principle
Until the interstate tariffs had been
readjusted, it was not practical for
the roads in Georgia to coordinate
the State rates and present to the
Commission a comprehensive scheme
of revision thereof in harmony with
the revised interstate rates. Some
measure Of relief has already been
granted in other sections Of the Unit
ed States by the State Commissions
and by the Federal authorities. The
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