The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-06-05
AN INCREASE IN FREIGHT
FREIGHT RATES
Railroads to Petition on 15 Per Cent
Higher Intra state Rates in South
Carolina.
American.

CQdTleSIOu AluSiiCoH.
Columbia, May 31.-That the rail,
roads will shortly petition for an in
crease of Is per cent. on intrastate
freight rates in South Carolina, as has
been done in some of the other States
is indicated in pondence between
the State railroad commission and the
corporation commission of Virginia.
The Virginia commission has proposed
a conference of the various State COM
missions to consider uniformity OF ac-
ton in the matter. The increase has
already been proposed in Virginia.
1t is probable that a general con-
ference will be held at some point to
be fixed in the very near future.
Commissioner Winfield of Virginia
wrote Chairman Richards of the South
Carolina commission as follows:
Hon. J. G. Richards, Chairman, South
Carolina Railroad Commission, Co
lumbia, S. C.
Dear Sir: Petitions have been fll-
ed with this commission by the car
riers operating is this State for au-
thority to make general increase IN
their Virginia intrastate freight rates
to the extent of Is per cent, or other
amounts, as the case may be. AS
you are probably aware. advanced
rates can not take effect in Virginia
unless approved by the State corpor-
alton commission. We understand
that the carriers operating in your
State, some of which operate also IL
Virginia, propose similar increase II
their freight rates between points II
your State.
1--WE believe that these matter:
coming up in different and especlall!
neighboring States, should be ADJUSTED
upon as nearly a uniform basis a
circumstances and cosditions permit
We believe that a conference betWee!
representatives Of your. honoraol
body with this commission and othe
| commissions confronting the sam
! questions will be profitable and help
full towards reaching just and non
discriminatory conclusions, and on be
half of this commission l suggest tina
such a conference be held in the cit
of Washington, D. c., as convenlen
point, on some day. during the wee
beginning June II.
"Will you be good enough TO Civ
me reply as promply as possible
stating your views in regard to tn
concert of action as above proposed
and also if you have received and ar
considering applications Of the. car
riers to increase the freight rate
within your State?
every truly yours,
81. R. Wingfeld.
Commissioner.
In reply the South Carolina commits
sion says:
columbia, S. c., May 13. 1917.
"Hon. ]. R. Wingfeld, Commissioner
Richmond, Va.
Dear Sir: Your favor of 23d ha
been received and submitted to tn
South Carolina commission. We agre
with you fully that some concert O
action should be had with referenc
to the proposed increase of rates b.
the various railroad lines operating il
our territory.
"Some months ago an organization
was perfected in Atlanta, which va
known as the Southeastern Associa
ton of Railroad Commissioners, o
which association Mr.. Gambler, chair
man of the Georgia commission, wa
elected president. We feel that
would be wise for you to submit thi
matter to the president of the South
eastern association and request tha
! he call this meeting either for Wash
| ington or some other more centrall,
! located point, that the conferenc
which you propose may be held. TIL
/ South Carolina commission regard
this as a very important matter, AM
expresses it's appreciation of you
! comforting with us in regard to it.
while We have not been formal,
petitioned for increase of rates, still
there are letters upon our files whicl
indicate that this will be done within
a short time.
"The South Carolina commission
will be glad to meet this conference
wherever and whenever it is held.
Very respectfully,
! "John G. Richards,