The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-07
TO MAINTAIN FREIGHT RATES.


1t is pointed high places that the retention
OF the position gained by the South Atlantic and Gulf
ports in the lifting of discrininary freight will
require efforts the of the ports interested
particularly in view of the coming changes in regard
Ito railroad management. action OF the in
sterstate and the present rail-
road administration affect the situation the dis
crminatory conditions which hampered the
southern ports have been removed. But it is point
ed out that the order of the commission is merely
permissive. 1t the difficulty of the fourth
section the railroad law but is not obligatory on
the railroad authorities to the RES thus pro-
vided for.
Although the railroad administration has seen fit
to do private managers after the first of the
year, may see the matter in totally different light
Ihe roads now entering New York may desire to
cling to all the freight money they can. The routing
of goods south would tend deprive them of these
revenues and divert them to the southern roads In
dull periods this loss might deemed serious enough
to call for return the old discriminatory system
1t is therefore pointed out that vigilance on
the part of these who guarding southern inter-
ests would be the part of wisdom
OF course, it will be necessary ports enjoying
the new rates put forth the utmost energy in
order to get the business routed by New York
and to compete with other North Atlantic ports The
business viii come slowly If ALL effort is
made to direct it. There be advertising solicit
tation. storage and loading facilities every prop
er sort of encouragement to shippers TO use such
facilities.
The opportunity for the south comes at times
when the northern ports congested with the flood
OF business when labor troubles tying up the
harbors- Such conditions have frequently existed
especially during past years. and it is large
ly due to these conditions during the war that the
commerce commission and the railroad administra-
tion have looked southern ports outlets for the
conerce of the United States.
The decision of the interstate commerce is addi-
tionally gratifying to the business interests of the
country, it indicates desire in the deveI-
opment of many ports possible export trade
and not to all business of that kind in a few
favored harbors
The recent order permits the railroad administra-
ton (and that means the railroads themselves when
they shall be returned to private management, to
grant freight points in the middle
west South Atlantic and Gulf ports, on exports
equal to those charged on the same commodities
when shipped by way of New York.
The order marks victory for those who have
been working earnestly to overcome what they re-
garded unjust discrimination against southern
rates goods for export in favor of New York. It
pointed out by the railroad authorities that the
lon -and- short haul clause of the railroad for
babe the grant of equal many cases com
blamed of, and for that the order in
terstate commission necessary. Senator F1etch-
er of Florida working diligently with representa-
tives of the commercial bodies of the SOUTH
terested shippers. presented the forcefuy to
the commission the fall with results which must
not be lost, by lack of vigilance.
Through the firm stand he has made, the south
has benefited and every South Atlantic and
Gulf port should lend the and other pub
nc spirited Of the south such support as win
ren their only effective but continuous
Nothing could possibly work for port develop
1nent as the lifting Of which have long
haTnpered south But the fight for port suprem-
acy viii probably be stiff one, and il these
pre- TO be maintained. 1t win require cooperation
,vsry port the southern coast