The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-30
Vigorous Efforts Made in
Washington to Head Off
Discriminating Rates In
creases.
REPRESENTATIVES
FLORIDA GET BUSY
Proceeds From Proposed In
creases Would Go to Make
Up Deficit on Improbable
Eastern Lines.

Tallahassee. Jlne 29.-R Hudson
Burr. chairman, Royal c. Dunn, COM
missioner, and j. Fl. Tench, rate ex-
pert, of the Florida Railroad commits
sion, returned today from Washing
ton, where they went to oppose before
the federal railroad administration the
imposition of a Is per cent increase
in freight rates in southeastern terri
tory. which the railroad commission
sought, to impose. although the ad-
vance was not to be divided with lines
operating in southeastern territory.
but was to be given to the lines in
eastern territory.
The imposition OF this Is per cent
increase was on all business moving
from east or north Of the gateways
into southeastern territory and all
busisags reg ius out of southeastern
territory to territory north or the
Ohio and Potomac rivers. 1t was pro-
posed to spread this increase on all
class and commodity rates to and
from this territory. This would in
c1ude citrus fruits and vegetables and
would amount to "A cents per box on
all citrus fruits and the same in pro-
portion per package on vegetables.
The only notice Of the intention OF
the railroad administration to order
this advance that was sent to Florida
was sent to the railroad commissioners,
and the commissioners notified the
fruit and vegetable interests regarding
the advance and were accompanied to
Washington by C. E. Stewart, business
manager, and E. d. Dow, traffic man
ager, of the Florida Citrus exchange.
spposition to this proposed increase
was fully presented to officials of the
18th instant, at Washington. Repre-
of shippers from other
states in the south We're also present
opposing this increase.
After two days hearing before of
ficials of the railroad administration
in the abundance of precaution, the
matter was laid before our delegation
in congress, and other southern sena-
tors and representatives, who were
requested to oppose the increase.
Cooperation of Senator Fletcher and
Representatives Dane and Clark was
secured and Senator Fletcher, repre-
senting all interests. called upon Di-
rector General Hines in connection
with the matter and received assur-
ance that no precipitate action would
be taken. and that before anything
was done the question of the proposed
increase would be referred to the in
terstate commerce commission for full
investigation and hearing. The rail-
road commission feel, ierefore, that
this increase win probably never be
made OF alive.
Attention was called to the injus-
tice which would be imposed upon this
section of the United States in being
called upon to pay a freight increase
to be handed over to eastern lines
which were loS.ng money.
The Florida railroad commissioners
and Mr.. E. d. Dow traffic manager
of the Florida Citrus exchange, vigor-
ously pointed out the Justice of inn
posing this injustice on Florida citrus
growers, who have to compete in the
with California citrus fruits, |
in which territory the railroad admin
istration was not contemplating max |
ing this increa. Figures were given |
showing that there is already dis |
in freight rates on citrus |
fruits in favor of the California grow |
ers.
On returning from Washington, |
Chairman Burr and Commissioner |
Dunn went through to South Florida I
for the purpose of conducting investi- ,
cations with reference to telephone
SeTNACS aiO1AS lAe scenic H1SnlAnuSs
thence back to Jacksonville for the
purpose or holding a hearing with9
reference to --iolation Of rule Z of t.NsI
Clyde Steamship company; confer
ence with representatives of the Flor
ida East Coast railroad and city oF
Cocoa, regarding spur track facilities
at that point; and conference wits
Mr.. H. w. Purvis, terminal manager.
concerning placing sleepers at g.
.'clook for the convenience of passen-
gers using night trains out of Jack
sonyflle.