Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-06-16
Several informal Inquiries Are
Discussed, However, by
Railway Officials Before the
State Commission.
NEW MEXICO FAVORED
BY MERCHANDISE RATES
Representatives Introduce Evi-
dence to Overcome impress
sion That State Is Discrimi-
mated Against,
ESPECIAL p,srArcH TO MORNING Jou~sALi

ESPECIAL DISPATCH TO hoNN'Ne SSe"NS~'
Santa Fe, June 15.-No formai
complaint or objection had been filed
with the state corporation commits
sion against the proposed increase OF
Is per cent in intra- state freight rates
asked by the railroads of New Mex
leo, but a number of informal IN
uuiries had been made and were DIS
cussed by the representatives or the
railroads who had come here for the
hearing on the proposed increase,
which opened this forenoon before
the commission sitting in the senate
chamber at the capitol.
There being an impression that
New Mexico class rates. or mer-
chandse rates, are higher than those
in Arizona, the railroad representa-
tlves devoted the forenoon to show
that the impression is without basis
in fact.
j. r. Koontz, general freight agent
of the A. T. & S. F., and chairman
of the committee appointed by the
railroads of this state to present the
case to the commission, submitted
an elaborate array of data of his con-
tention that New Mexico merchandise
rates are lower than those OF Arizona,
and also lower than those in territory
similarly situated in Texas and other
states. According to the sworn testi-
mony of Mr. Koontz, shipment
which moves fifty miles in Arizona
for 27 cents a hundred, moves in
New Mexico for 23 cents, the present
rate.
To Hit Arizona Harder.
The Is per cent increase sought
would raise the New Mexico rate to
26h cents, leaving II t'till under the
>.af14uiia fate.- santa rS'fsass 'tes. Z
, ed for 20 per cent increase In Ari-
zona rates and other lines have ask
ed for Is per cent increase. On a
seventy-five mile haul a shipment
moving in Arizona for 3S would move
in New Mexico for 20 cents, and on
a hundred mile haul shipment in
Arizona moving for 80 cents would
move in New Mexico for 81 cents.
Mr.. Koontz introduced evidence in
the form of schedules to show that
the New Mexico class rates are
practically on the same basis as the
class rates ordered by the interstate
commerce commission from Shreve-
port. La, to Texas points, made ef-
tective by the United States supreme
court Considering the density OF
tonnage and population, the witness
argued, New Mexico has been
favored
Mr.. Koontz went into the subject
of coal rates in much detail comparing
the New Mexico rates with those OF
Colorado, and with those from Colo
RADIO producing points to Kansas He
said in substances:
Tells of Coal Rates.
illustrating the situation, I have
shown by sworn evidence that the
rate on coal from Ration to Watrous,
n distance of ninety-one miles was
at present $1.S5 per ton. A Is per
cent increase you'd mean a rate of
$3.50 ton. The rate from Canyon
City, Colo. to Buston, Colo, a
distance of ninety-three miles-prac-
fically the same as to Watrous from
Raton--was $3.50 as against the
existing rate from Ration to Watrous
of $1.S5. The rate from Canyon City
10 Buston will be increased Is per
cent making rate of $2.64h. which
is 34k cents per ton higher than
the carriers proposed rate from
Ration to Watrous.
'"The rate from Ration to Las Vegas,
a distance of Ill miles, is $3.50. pro-
posed rate s2.1Sk; from Canyon
City to Monte Vista, Colo, a distance
of 109 miles, the present rate is $2.45
or IS cents per ton higher than the
Raton-Las Vegas rate. The new rate
will be $2.s2 from Canyon City to
Monte Vista, or 63k cents higher
than the new Raton-Las Vegas rate.
'The rate from Ration to Albuquer-
que, distance of 243 miles, is at
present $2.S3, the proposed increase
resulting in rate of $3.22. per ton
From Canyon City to Aspen, Colo, a.,
distance of 241 miles, the rate Is
$500 per ton. The new rate will
be $3.45 per ton. The rate from
Canyon City to Deerfield, Kans,, a
I. distance of 242 miles, which is about
the same as from Ration to Aibuquer-
que as established by interstate COM
merce commission, Is $275 per ton,
which will be increased to $3.l6h
per ton.
Rat0n-San Mar,ial Rate.
THE rate to Leadville, Colo, from
Canyon City distance of 247 miles,
OF four miles more than the distance
from Ration to Albuquerque, is
$3.50 per ton, or 20 cents
: higher than Ration to Albuquerque.
This rate will be increased to 1888
OF 80 cents per ton higher than the
acknowledgements rate.
From Ration to San Marcial, a
distance of 346 miles, the present
rate Is $3.O5 per ton, proposed rate
x351. From Canyon City TO Kinsley,
Kans., distance of 343 miles or
three miles less than Ration to San
Marcial. the present rate is $3.25 or
100 cents per ton higher than the
Raton-San Marcial rate The new
rate will be 1914 or 23 cents per ton
higher than the new Raton-San Mar
ciai rate.
From Ration to Las Cruces. q
distance Of ass miles. the present rate
is $3.05 the new rate 1881. From
1 Canyon City to Mcpherson. Kans.. q