Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-02-28
INTERESTING VIEWS
 ON CURRENT NEWS.

Rates from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, etc, to Pine Bluff:
 Last week we called your attention to the great saving possible thru proper routing of freight from East ern Cities to Pine Bluff. We know from observation that the matter was not exaggerated and that thousands of dollars can be saved by following these instructions. It's disappointing in that only one member seems to have been interested enough to ques- tion us about it. What's the matter?
 Pine Bluff Center of Attack.
 It begins to look as though we might have to enlist the services of a division of Doughboys to defend our selves against attacks being made up- on us by other Arkansas towns and cities.
 The Arkansas Jobbers and Manu- facturers Association composed of merchants located in Arkansas City, Dermott, Eudora, Fl Dorado, Ham, burg, Camden, Warren, Batesville, Hot Springs and twenty other towns have through their Traffic Managers Gregory & Beals, filed with the In- LGGSGdUe SOlIlulCICS INV complaints, which attack the rates on practically all classes and commodi- ties and in every instance they al- lege that the rates of Pine Bluff are unjustly discriminatory and give un- due advantage to the shippers of Pine Bluff in violation of the act to regu- late commerce. We of course have fill ed intervening petitions denying the allegations and ask the privilege of defending ourselves. This first step tions, thirty copies of each being fur entails the preparation of five peti- Commission. The cases have been. set nished to the Interstate Commerce for March 24th. These same Con1- plainants have filed three complaints with the Railroad Administration Committee in St. Louis, one of which has been heard.
 Sugar Rate Increase.
 Effective February 26th sugar rates from Louisiana to Arkansas points are increased to approximate ly 100 percent over the rate in effect prior to June 25th, 1918. Every effort was made politically and otherwise to hold up this increase pending an investigation as to it's reasonableness but, the Arkansas Senators and Con- gressman have not succeeded in stay ing the mighty fist of the arbitrary Railroad Administration and conse- quently for 60 days there will prevail a discriminatory condition in favor of Mississippi river Cites. whose rates will not be adverse untl April 1st. Pine Bluff Will Feel Effects of Nat /; chez Decision Another Shreve- port Case" : The principle laid down in the ori- giual "Shreveuort Case" has been ap- piled to a similar situation at Natchez Miss. The principle involved is the same as that sought by Memphis. Tenn. in the we'll known 'Memphls Case" which has been pending about five years. The principles having been passed upon bv the Supreme Court of the United States is now generally acceuted and it will be only question of time until Arkansss must adjust her freight rates in line with the freioht rates from Memphis, Tenn, to Arkansas. i The Memphis Case is set for hear ing in Memphis on April 1st. This imay wind up this long drawn out fight and we anticipate decision by the the Commission sometime this sum- mer.
 Shreveport Monroe Alexander Fri angle vs. Little ck-Stuttgart-Pine Bluff Triangle.
 : Little Rock. Bluff Fri
 angle.
 The decision in the Natchez Case referred to above orders the discon- [ tinuance of the same rates from St.
 Louis, Memphis, New Orleans etc., tc Shreveport, Monroe and Alexander and we wonder if this same principle will sooner or later be applied to the Little Rock, Stuttgart, Pine Bluff triangle. If so instead of having tht same rates to these three points : similar decision will mean that the
 rates to Stuttgart and Little Rock .. vii be lower than to Pine Bluff. Tho precedent is already established. Summary.
 These dark clauds may portend obstructive storm. On the other hant the sun light is always hidden bchinc
 the clouds.
 At least it is gratifying to remem
 Der, that we have had no change il . rates either as to increased rates, O. as to change in our relationship !, with Arkansas Cities or interstate Cities in the past ten years. Lets not forget should the wors
 come upon us.
 = Let's not forget should the wors n come upon us.
 River Traffic.
 Our dreams of permanent resump
 tion of river traffic are going to conn true much sooner than we expected.
 We expect to be called to New Or
 leans any day to perfect plans an'
 rates that will be an induccment t.
 shippers to use the river.
 The Government is now behind tn movement and the number of barge and boats arc being increased daily.
 Thru billing arrangements are pos
 siblc in connection with the railroad . and export traffic and such increas