Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-11
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT.

Engineers, state Opt1clane, STATE hof-
ticultural association.
| TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT.
On Nov. 3, 1915, the question Of the
Minnesota rate complaint, attacking
the reasonableness Of the rates from
Minnesota and Wisconsin to Texas was
brought before the traffic committee
by the secretary with the suggestion
that we ask the public utilities COM
mission to intervene in this case for
the protection of the Idaho potato
grower. The Minnesota people were
alleging discrimination because Of the
favorable rate from Idaho to the Tex
as market. A unanimous vote was
given that the secretary take the mat
ter up with the public utilities COM
mission and advise them of the neces-
sity Of protecting the Idaho shipper.
The public utilities commission was
without funds at this time, and we
were advised that they would be I'M
able to attend the Minnesota rate case
at Minneapolis unless the money could
be subscribed. We Immediately went
forth and raised sufficient amount
to meet this contingency, and. the pub
compiling data and making briefs sup
porting the Idaho potato grower. II
the Idaho potato ratio is advanced to
| that of the present Minnesota rate, it
will cost the Idaho industry $4,000 a
year.
| c. f. Brooks, assistant superinten-
dent Of the Oregon Short Line, attend
ed the traffic meeting on Nov. II, at
which time we discussed the freight
service from Boise. We had had nu-
merous complaints from the surround
ing towns relative to the freight serv-
ice from Boise, covering such as de-
layed shipments and perishable COM
modities arriving at destination in
frozen condition, etc. These matters
were brought before Mr.. Brooks, and
let 1t suffice to say that corrections
were made at once.
On Nov. 2S, 1916, the secretary Of the
traffic department represented the
Boise Commercial club in the Spo-
kane Fourth section rate case Mt Salt
Lake City. Favorable testimony in
the interest Of the intermountain terri
tory was given at that hearing. and
that further testimony might be Of
fered to the commission in this hear
ing, the secretary was sent to Spokane,
at which place the final hearing was
held. He attended these hearings in
| conjunction with the public utilities
commission and worked with them for
| the future development OF Idaho.
On Dec. %, 1916, in the interest Of
certain proposed rate complaints, the
| traffic committee had O. conference
with the public utilities commission
ers at the Boise Commercial club.
Matters were threshed out relative to
proper procedure in various rate cases.
On Dec. 20. the traffic committee
passed a resolution by unanimous vote
in favor of the further existence OF
the public utilities commission and for
| legislation strengthening the commits
sion. and in this respect were partic-
ularly DESTROYS of having an attorney
hired solely for the purpose of handling
the public utilities commissions legal
| matters.
On the invitation Of tho University
Of Idaho the traffic committee request
ed the secretary of the traffic depart
ment to attend the Merchandise Bank
ers' week at Moscow, commencing Jan.
%, and address that body on the ques-
ton Of Freight and Allowances"
During November, December and
January the traffic department filed
about $500 worth of claims.
We were informed by a merchant
Of this city that information given
him in our weekly Traffic Bulletin rel
| ative to rate reduction enabled him
to sell two carloads Of this commo-
dity and save the buyer $s5. Another
large shipper informed us that some
! rate information given by US saved his
concern $500.
The secretary IL now preparing a
complaint to be heard before the in
terstate commerce commission on rates
on onions from southern Idaho to
| southwestern points. The success OF
| this suit will mean that several acres
| Of onions will be planted in this i'm
mediate vicinity and create new in
dustry for southern Idaho.
A great deal of time is given over
| by this department in quoting rates
and giving general traffic information.
Upon our advice claims given over
to an attorney for collection which had
been absolutely refused recognition by
| the railroad company, claiming there
1
After thoroughly studying the situation
we advised the claimant that there did
| exist liability and it would be proper
| for him to sue the railroad company.
Upon notification Of the attorney for
the claimant that suit would be in
stituted, an immediate settlement was
made by the railroad company.
The objects Of this department are:
Fjrst-Rate compilations. compari-
sons and statistics.
Second-F'avorable freight rate ad-
| justments.
Understanding reparation claims,
formal and informal, to the I. c. c.
Fourth-Preparing briefs for reduc-
! ton on articles Of classifications
Fifth-Freight and express rate
quotations.
Sixth-Securing prompt carriage
and delivery of freight from Boise.