Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-15
PROPOSED MILEAGE
 RATES THREATENS
 LOCAL PROSPERITY
l. c. c. has Power to Join With Water Carries in Making Thru Rates.
PREVIOUSLY UP WITHTHE .I.C.C.
Mileage Rates Would Increase Pine
 Bluff Freight Tariffs Fifty Percent, Thus Destroying Immense, Business.

The following communication from w. M. Taaylor, traffic manager of the Chamber of Commerce. which was inspired by the editorial in Wednes- days Graphic. will be read with in- terest.
 MT. Taylor welcomes such publicity as the editorial mentioned, and gives considerable light on the water rate proposition, which is not, perhaps, generally known.
 It is the mission of the newspapers to bring these matters to the public notice, for such publicity often bring 5 to light just such information as is here given by Mir. Taylor.
 The proposed mileage freight tariff is matter which concerns every ci- tizen of Pine Bluff. In the latter communication 1t is pointed out that the per capita freight rate is $25 for every one of Pine Bluffs 2S,OOO peo- pie. This proposed mileage rate will increase the freight rates of this city 50 percent, and should the new rage be established the per capita freight tax will amount to $S7.50. So it will lbe seen that the matter is one which concerns every person.
 Read the communication through. If you are not already familiar with the facts you will be felicitated by the information gained:
 MT. TaylOr's Letter.
 Editor Graphic:
 am pleased to see some recogni- tion being given the question of freight rates by your paper.
 Your editorial in recent issue, referring to the possibilities of re- duced freight rates to Little Rock and Pine Bluff, as a result of success full navigation on the Mississippi ri- yer is timely
 Under the Panama Canal Act, the Interstate Commerce Commission has the power to compel railroads to join with water carriers in the establish ment of "thru rates" via "rail and water" Successful operation on the Mississippi river would eventually re- suit in the establishment of such rates to Pine Bluff and Little Roci, and in accord with precedence, these hates would be 80 percent of the already established "all rail rates. They could be made to apply via river to West Memphis, Tenn, and rail to Pine Bluff. Such an arrangement would apply from vast territory Bordering on the Mississippi. Illinois, Ohio and Missouri rivers.
 This is what Major Fordyce means when he says. Arkansas will bene- fit by successful navigation on the Mississippi river.'
 The day must come when the Ar kansas river will be made depend able" for boats.
 call your attention to the fact that this Bureau. in behalf of Pine Bluff. in 1915. went thru a fight; be fore the I. c. C.. in which we petition ed for the establishment of thru rail and river rates, rail to Memphis Tenn. and river to Pine Plutf.. The Commission found. however that na. vfGatjon on the Arkansas river was { not dependable" and therefore de clined to compel the rail lines to en, ter into agreements for thrr rates with the boat lines. l may add tha the boat lines were of no assistancs < 10 us in the case. However. tn ssprinciple" in volved was sustained md some day we will have this ar ralsGement also Lot 1t not he forgotten that ths present freiyht rates to both T.ittl. Rock and Pine Blnff were made tt meet river navigation. Practical, < the same rates are in effect todd, n were In offset when the ifr>t rail road was built into Little Fock arr Emo Bluff. The l e. c. has itseli