Arizona republican., 1917-03-14
ReallgnMent Is
Proposed N0W On
Every Commodity
IRepubIican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, March 13.-The in
terstate commerce commission has
placed before the trans s-cOntinental
railways tentative findings in the IN
ter-mountain rate cases, proposing re-
alignment of virtually the entire struc-
ture of freight rates between the east
and west on every commodity. The
railroads are given until April TO
enter any objections.
The time has come, cIe commission
holds. for abolition of low preferential
rates from eastern producing centers
to Pacific ports. These rates, put into
effect to meet the cSt-to coast water
competition have been in force for
years and under them San Francisco,
Los Angeles Seattle and other coast
cities have enjoyed rates far lower
than those from the same eastern cities
to intermediate points.
Hereafter, should the commissions
findings be made permanent, interme-
diate points will be given rates from
eastern centers as low as rates to the
coast, if not lower. From other centers
in the middle west and along the Mis-
souri, river the rates to intermediate
points. would be less than the rates to
the coast.
Under the commissions proposal, this
result could be attained in two ways:
First. by increasing through rates from
the east to Pacific ports on a number
OF articles on which the present rate is
found to be unreasonably low; and sec
Ond by realigning rates to intermediate
points on many articles on which the
present through rate is found to be
unreasonable
In either event, adoption of the ten
tative findings would result in a
sweeping revision of tariffs from the
east, the middle west and Missouri
river points to towns ard cities in Ari-
iona, New Mexico, Nevada Utah, Wy
oming, Idaho, Colorado and Montana
and to all towns and cities in Califor-
MIA, Oregon and Washington, except
on certain commodities to port cities
in the three states last named.
Although not directly stated in the
commissions findings, the European
war is the direct cause of the PROPOSED
change, inasmuch as it has resulted in
the virtual cessation of all coast to
coast water traffic. leaving the trans
continental roads without competition
With a view to meeting the expected
re-entry of steamship lines into coasl-
forecast traffic via the Panama canal
after the war, the commission proposes
that the suggested rate be so drawn as
to be capable Of easy readjustment.
Revision of freight rates on barley
fruits and wine from the Pacific coast
TO the Atlantic seaboard by rail anC
water via Galveston also is proposed
Although the railroads are not di-
rectly invited to file new tariffs in line
with the. commissions tnuIngs. Int
door IS left open for them to do so, anC
specific suggestions as to the maxi
mum rates which should be proposed
are contained in an outline of differ
entails between Atlantic seaports ami
inland eastern cities.
To establish an equitable scale o
feadJusted rates, it is suggested to tn
carriers that the territory west of tn
Missouri river be divided into fou
zones of 500. $50, 1900 and $50 miles
and that scale of rates be apple,
gradually increasing, according t
distance. The effect would be so ia
reaching that officials consider tha
the case easily takes rank with tn
i've per cent cases decided two year
ago and at that time characterized a
the most important which had com
before the commission for determine
ton On reaching its tentative find
lngS, the commission reviewed in elab
crate detail the history of water com
petition via the Panama canal
The present situation as to waite
competition, reads the statement t
the roads. "is beyond dispute. Ther
is no competitive necessity by reason {
water service between the two coast
which warrants the rail carriers i
maintaining lower rates under preser
Continued on Page Three)