Arizona republican., 1919-02-08
MILLION INCREASE:
 IN FREIGHT BILL OF
 PHOENIX SINCE 1917

The business of Phoenix as shown by freight receipts is increasing year by year, notwithstanding the burden of the discriminating freight rate handi- cap. Assuming this increase for the present year will be normal, Phoenix will pay $1,000 900 more than she would under rates in effect in 1917, according to reports of the committee from the chamber of commerce who are in charge of the proposed new traffic bureau.
 The report shows that during 1917 Phoenix proper paid in freight charges something over $3,600,000. This amount would be doubled if the receipts for the entire county were taken into con- sideration. Under the existing 25 per cent higher freight rates, effective about July 1, 1918, on the same volume of traffic the charges this year will be $4,5O0,000 an increase of $900,000. It was found that the increased rates re- suited in the eXaction of s460, ,000 more charges for the six months July to De- cember than under former rates.
 The committee learns further from eminent traffic men, who have made thorough study of the rate structure here, that with the location of Phoe- nix, with distance as the correct meas ure for freight rates and in comparison with other states such as Nevada, Montana, Utah and others, that s540,- 600 in unjust and excessive freight rates was paid by the shippers to the railroads represented in Phoenix prop CT during 1917, 15 per cent of the year s freight charges.
 | WitS the traffic bureau of the chamber of commerce, recently organ ! ized, the bureau proposes to save these | eXtraVaSant losses to the shippers and 10 the consumer, who in the end foots the bill. Even though the bureau was able by it's efforts to save only 10 per cent of this loss to the shippers. il
 would be a handsome investment
 Arizona is placed in a very different position than most other states in that
 she has no manufacturing centers
 freight rates being paid on both incom- ing and outgoing freight shipments. AL most every commodity such as hay
 grain, live stock, cantaloupes. etc, pro- duced and shipped from Maricopa county, is sold delivered whether it be
 to Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans
 or New York. On the other hand, most
 commodities coming into the state are
 bought from the manufacturer or dis tributor f. o. b. cars at shipping point
 This in contrast with these centers
 where freight is paid both ways.
 There are many other problems tht
 bureau would handle. There are a dog
 en avenues open for improvement O
 con' tions for shippers. Checking O
 frelgnt bills will prevent overcharge
 keeping shippers fully informed vii prevent demurrage and delay; securin; of more rapid and direct freight ship ments by tracing of freight; genera intra and interstate rate improvement prevention of rate increases withou representation before commissions senate or any other body; getting ship pers together to arrange package ca shipments from important points t Arizona; outlining new routings to ia cilitate freight shipments; to aid in tn passage of favorable laws, such as tn Long and Short HauI' bill now sefor congress; the passage of this one bi alone would be a great factor in plac \ ing Maricopa county and Arizona i their rightfui position as a jobbing an B distributing center.
 Individual representation will nc H brng these improvements, the shipper must organize for mutual protection.