Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-09
FORWARD WINS FIGHT
FOR RECLASS|F|CAT|ON
load and Less Than Carr
load Ratings.
is RESULT OF DISCRIMINATION
Builds Up Big Manufacturers and
Big Johbcrs ut Expense OF Small
Manufacturers, Small JobbcrS, Re-
tailcrS and Consumers.

tailcrs and Consumers.
After n three days fight octore the
examiner Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in New York. in a con-
solidated classification hearing. Com
missioner Alexander Forward. OF the
Virginia State Corporation Commits
sion, succeeded in having the rules OF
procedure amended to permit dis
cussion OF the lcncral conditions. and
the principle OF increasing the spread
between the carload and less than car
load rating, thus saving the ciple
for the small manufacturers
After having been repeatedly ruled
out on points OF order. Mr.. Forward
presented motion which called for a
direct issue, and the examiner. after
considering the question over night
ruled favorably the motion The
Classification Committee is directed to
present reasons for its action at the
hearing on the same subject in At
lanta in September when the main is
she will be threshed out.
Following is the complete text OF
Commissioner Forwards motion:
Motion made before examiner OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
X, ~
=. August 6, 1918, in consolidated
classification hearing. by Alexander
Forward, OF the Virginia State Corpora
tion Commission:
I'm view o fthc fact that the classi
hcation committee has quite evidently
adopted the general principle OF in
creasinE tho spread between carload
and less than carload rating. | re-
specially request that the rules OF
l,1
of permitting discussion of this general
subject. Unless this is done it viii! be
Impossible to deal with subject in
comparison with which all details OF
the proposed consolidated classification.
are OF mere minor Importance
ATTITUDE TOWARD WITNESSES
UNREASONABLE HOSTILE:
1T cannot even he handled hv =
brief under the rules since IL is pro
vtded that briefs must be based upon
the facts in tho record and under tr.'
ruling OF the examiner we cannot yet
this general subject in the record. I'll,
examiner has kindly suggested bring
ing up specific item. but such pr
cedurc will be unavailinp. Members
OF the classification committee with "A
quite natural pride Of authorship re-
gard each protest against any feature
OF their work rs u personal affront: N
some cases they are only restrained by
some cnTo they are only RETAINED by
tho examiner from interfering with a
witnesses method OF presenting his
case: and they combat discussion VI
s""ctiic items by comparing them with
other items in Il plausible but irrclo
want manner. Under tho circumstances
consideration Of such gravity and i'm.
)rr,ance as the general increase in the
difference between carload and les.
Van carload ratings cannot he accord.
ed The dignity il demands by speak.
Ing - specific item BESIDES tn,
classification committee has acted and
uron II and not upon the pcopl" shou.
be the burden Of explanation ana dis
cu*"ion.
The tendency manifested in rcccr;
years u increase the spread lc'wc"n
carload and less than carload r;tiu@.
Is :rauEht with tn" utmost dan-,r In
ordinary business interests and 10 the
ultimate economic safety Of the nation
In housands-litcraliy thousands x
instances, In the proposed consolidate !
classification. the spread between ca--
load and less than carload has ac.,
widened Willie in comparativcIy few
instances 1t has been lessrncd am
net aware Ct reasons for a difrcruu, -
hetween carload and less than carlo i
ratings. aside from the additional ~
pense to the carriers of warchousinE.
loading aft-i billing. and tho surcad il
already 'cviucntly far beyond the poii.
necessary 10 care for these items; 4
'hcre are any other cost items. wr
thculd hc Informed what the. arr !
do not care whether the tess than chr
load :al'ng is lowered or the carloa1
increased. II we can only get them
c.oser together instead OF further
apart.
BUILDS U nIG JoBBERS At
EAPENSE SMALL. MAAtFACri REEFS
a. a n tS
10 build up artificial iobbing interests
~ the classification method, no matter
now essential It may be 10 have TO-.
bers under natural conditions sub
NIT that II it is right to build Ur BIZ;
manufactures and big jobhcrs at IN.
expense OF small manufacturers. smal,
1cDDcrs. retailers and consumers If !.
is right 10 Cypress the weak to buiil
up the strong, then We AZ. lighting
Tor the wrong thing in France today.
Il respectfully ask That the Inter
state Commerce Commission rcu,l,s,
the classification committee TO submit
in writing reasons for it's action in
increasing the spread generally be-
tween carload and lass carload ratings
and have them put into the record. and
that the members OF tho committee be
placed on the stand and cross examined
in regard thereto"
H. V. c. W.pic rcprcscntiue the
Chamber OF Commerce Board Of Trade.
Of Norfolk; y. h. Eomm. representing
the Farmers Manufacturing Company,
OF Norfolk and the Virginia Manu:ac-
turing Company. OF SUFFOLK. and c. \
burgess. representing the Norfolk
Truckers E%chanEe, OF Norfolk. were
attending the conference with Com
missioner Forward. Mr.. Homm pre-
scnted his case regarding the classi.
tcation Of barrels. The other two men
deferred presenting their cases tin
September O. in Atlanta. where Exam
iners w. a Jisquc and Joseph c. col
quit VII! bring their tour Of hear
ngs to a close.
ON PLAINCLOTHES SQUAD