The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-02
MISSOURI pacific
GETS BENEFIT OF
COTTON SCHEDULES
Error ils Rate Order Gives
Ling advantage in Rates
for Shipments From Men,
phiS to New Orleans.

Memphis cotton shippers may not
have to pay the increase in freight
rates on cotton, amounting to 10 cents
per hundred pounds to Eastern ports
ard milling centers and from five to
eight cents to New Orleans, which was
recently ordered by the federal railroad
administration, to become effective on
Sept. e.
In examining the new schedules Just
issued by the railroad administration,
The Memphis freight bureau discovered
that the revised rates apply only to
lines operating out Of Memphis east Of
The mississippi river. and that no change
was made in the published schedules
ior lines west of the river,
= Thus the Missouri Pacific railroad,
whose lines west of the Mississippi have
direct connection with. New Orleans and
also good connection with the East via
st, Louis and trunk lines from st. Louis,
VIII be able to handle Memphis cotton
for either destination at rates from five
TO 10 cents per hundred pounds cheaper
than any other railroad out of the city.
Traffic officials were greatly sur
prtsed when attention was called to the
situation, but it was admitted quite gem
orally that inconsistent as the matter
seemed to be. there was apparently a
more favorable rate quoted for the
Missouri Pacific, which would have to
stand until officially changed.
While the situation was probably due
to an oversight in making up the re-
vised schedules, nevertheless the sched-
ules have been published, and according
TO custom, when a rate is once published
only an order Of the interstate commerce
commission can change it, But to OBJ
tain the advantage shippers viii have
70 bill their cotton over the Missouri
Pacific, for other lines will have no
-
Will be compelled to charge the in
creased rates on all cotton shipped over
their lines
The revised rate to the east is 81
cents per hundred, with carriers priv
lege of compression The Missouri
Pacific rate is "a cents per hundred
carriers privilege, and "a cents per hun
bred for compressed cotton.
To New Orleans, for export, the re-
Vtsed rate from Memphis Is so cents per
hundred. The Missouri Pacific rate is
AZ cents per hundred
Under the existing circumstances, the
Missouri Pacific will no doubt be
swamped with cotton consignments for
both New Orleans and the East. Its
route and service are said to be lust as
good as the other lines have to offer,
and IL 1t can obtain the cars 1t could
probably handle the business. There is
some difference of opinion as to what
rate would apply on cotton billed by the
shipper over the Missouri Pacific, but
carried by. the railroad administration
by another line. 1t is claimed that the
shipper would have to be protected by
the lowest rate applying for the haul,
which in such case would prevent the
Eastern lines charging the revised rate,
Local traffic officials stated Thurs
day that they had not had time to make
thorough study of the situation, but
instructions from higher officials of the
railroad administration will be required
to determine the policy to be adopted
James s. Davant, commissioner for
the Memphis freight bureau Is also
making a thorough study Of the case
and has issued bulletin to the mem
- bers of the exchange calling their at
! tention to the matter.