Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-12-08
WANTS RATES To Be
REASONABLE IS THE
ONLY SHOWING NOW

state Commerce Commission in its an
nual report today to Congress recon-
mended a sweeping change in meth,
DDS of establishing freight and pas
senger rates so that shippers would
not longer be compelled to show a pro-
posed rate unreasonable or see it be-
come effective. Carriers seeking to
alter a rate would be compelled to
show the change was reasonable.
The recommendation is that by
statute Congress fix the interstate
rates, fares, charges, classifcations,
rules and regulations existing at a
specific date, prior to that of enact
ment, as just and reasonable for the
past, and provide that no change there
in after that specified date may be
made except upon order of the Com
mission; with provision that such
statute shall not affect the proceedings
pending at the time of enactment"
The purpose of the suggestion is
said to be mainly to correct flaws in
the present method by which an injur-
ed shipper seeks reparation for pay
ment of higher rate than subse-
quently is approved by the Commits
sion.
1t was said. however, that the effect
of such legislation would be radical
upon methods of rate establishment
AT present tariffs proposing rate
changes filed by the railroads become
operative on a fixed date unless sus-
pended by the Commission and shown
| on hearing to be unreasonable, unjust
or discriminatory. If existing rates
are declared by statute to be just and
reasonable, it was pointed out, the
burden will be on those who wish to
change them.
Industrial Conditions Changing.
order to meet rapidly changing indus
trial and commercial conditions" says
the report in this Connection, "is fully
recognized, but the soundness of the
theory of leaving each carrier free
to initiate its own rates and thus in
vesting each of them with the power
to overthrow or seriously disturb an
adjustment that is recognized as eras-
enable and fair by the overwhelming
majority of the carriers and shippers
interested therein, may we'll be doubt
ed
"All rates, fares, and charges have
| been open to complaint for period OF
more than 10 years, within which the
Commission had power to fix the fu-
ture maximum rates. For period OF
more than six years all proposed in
creased rates have been subject to
protest and suspension before becom-
irg effective. Obviously there should
come a time when as to the past the
general level of the rates and the re-
lationship of rates should be fixed as
reasonable.
THE adoption Of such a plan as
this would make it possible to apply
the energies expended upon rate con-
troversies in the direction of con-
structive work for the future instead
Of expending them upon controversies
as to reparation for the past, with
every probability that in a majority OF
the cases the one who ultimately bore
the charge will never be reached by
the reperation."
To relieve car shortage the Com
mission asks legislation giving it au-
thority to prescribe rules governing
interchange of cars, return to woning
roads, loading conditions on foreign
roads and compensation for the use OF
cars
Increased Facilities Necessary.
1T seems to us beyond question
says the report that largely increas-
ed railroad facilities are necessary to
adequately handle the commerce OF
the country and that in some way
those facilities must be provided. OBJ
yiously this cannot be done by leaV-
ing these matters for determination
by unanimous vote of all the carriers
of the country. Within certain limits
the force of competition between car
riers cannot be denied. The carrier
that desires to participate in the
movement of traffic must carry 1t as
cheaply as its competitor. 1t must ac-
cord as liberal rules and regulations
as are accorded by its competitor, anc
these competitive influences make
unanimity of opinion as to what are
proper rules and regulations more diff
ficult of attainment than it would other
wise be- From these facts and eXper'
| -. - annaftinne