The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-10-05

taking up the cudgels in behalf Of the
shippers Of Florida relative to the re-
cent ruling of the commission which
is as follows, in brief:
If the first change is made before
arrival at first billed destina-
ton ...... .... ...... Free
Second change enrOute or at
destination 80. ............ $500
Third change enroute or at des-
tlnatlOn ...... .............. 5.Oo
Subsequent changes will be made
in accordance with provisions Of
rule 5:
(b) If the consignor, consignee or
owner requests subsequent change
recessitating movement of the car, the
shipment will be treated as reship-
ment from the point Of reforwarding
and will be charged at the tariff rate
therefrom, except as provided in
rule 8.
Rule s provides that no charge will
be made for the above described sub
sequent diversion provided the move
ment of the car does not take it out
of the switching limits Of the. billed
distinction and the charge is given to
the yard Office prior to arrival of car.
To illustrate this matter fully, II
shipper loads a car at Lakeland,
Fla, and bills same to himself at Way
cross, Ga, to obtain free diversion,
he must have his diversion instruc
tions at Waycross prior to arrival Of
car at that point. II he wishes to di-
vert after the car arrives at Way
cross, he must pay two dollars for
that privilege. II he diverts the car,
say to Atlanta, and wishes to move 1t
on from there, another two dollars Is
added to his charges. We will assume
that he has been unable to obtain
what he thinks his fruit Is worth in
Atlanta and wishes to divert to Chat
tanooga, this will cost him two dol
lars; then, If he wishes to divert from
Chattanooga to Nashville, he would
be compelled to pay five dollars more,
Then, if he. is unable to make sale
in Nashville and wishes TO send the
car to Chicago where he can realize
fair amount for his product, he will
be compelled to pay the freight from
Lakeland to Nashville, plus the local
rates from Nashville to Chicago, This
will be a very heavy burden on Flor
ida growers and shippers and will
rave the effect of making fruit worth
less money each and every year.
In lieu of this matter. Mr.. Dorsett
yesterday wrote the following self
explanatory letter:
Lakeland, Fla, Oct. 4, 1920.
Mr.. George S. McGinty, Secretary,
Interstate Commerce Commission,
Washington, D. G.
Dear Sir.
Permit me to direct your attention
t omy telegram of even date reading
as follows:
Decision of commission in case
hundred and one seventy-three anent
reconsignment and diversion rules
will prove extremely harmful and det-
rimental to Florida fruit and vege-
table industry. Account geographical
location Florida situation should be
viewed in different light from Califor-
MIA and we hereby make protest
against commissions ruling In event
initial carriers issue tariff we
will seek suspension. Letter follows.
From a careful study of the COM
missions ruling we have reached the
conclusion that its carriage and con-
voyance in effect will not only add to
the present difficulties in connection
with the scientific distribution of Flor
ida products but will also have ten
dency-to what extent we are not pre-
pared to say at this time-to cut
down production. The proper distri-
button of Florida perishable products
has been the subject of most careful
study by those of US who are interest
ed for a number of years and should
be a paramount thought with the car
riers. 1t should be their idea to as
sist, rather than hinder. those Of US