Arizona republican., 1920-10-31
COMPLETE TAKING
 OF TESTIMONY IN
 ASPHALT COMPLAINT

With the completion of evidence yesterday concerning a charge of ex- orbitant freight rates on asphalt from California to various points in Ari- zona, Roland Johnston, manager of the traffic department of the chamber of commerce, completed two cases of importance to the people of the Salt River valley The charges in these cases were lodged with the interstate commerce commission, and the testi- mony was heard by Richard T. Eddy. examiner for the commission. who has been conducting hearings for the com mission in the federal building since Friday. Briefs in both cases must be in the hands of the commission on or before December Is. and decisions are expected within 90 days from that date.
 The first case brought by MT. John ston, docket No. 7660, is a complaint filed by the traffic department of the chamber of commerce with the inter- state commerce commission in which it is alleged that freight rates on cer- calls from group points west of Chi cago to Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa are unfair and discriminatory.
 MT. Johnston showed that the rate on grains from such points as Super for. Neb.. Liberal. Kan. and Melrose. N. M, to Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa is 971s cents, as compared with rate to Los Angeles and San Francisco from the same points of only S5 F cents, or 12 cents less. At the same time, according to Mir. Johnston's al- legations before the commission, Phoe- nix, Tempe and Mesa have no mill ing in transit privileges. This priv ilege is that which allows grain to be taken from the cars, milled and sent to it's final destination for the one rate
 Tucson, as shown by MT. Johnston has this milling privilege. Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa have not. with the result that it costs STE cents to bring grain into Phoenix from group points and then TIE cents to ship the flour or finished product to Los Angeles Tucson, then has an advantage ovel | Phoenix of TIE cents through it's mill ing in transit privilege. This state o' affairs. NIT. Johnston charges is un- | fair. particularly in that it prevent. the mills of Phoenix selling flour out side the Salt River valley. This case was ended Friday evening.
 The second case, testimony in whicf was brought yesterday. is docket No | 1l,S14. in which the traffic bureau O | the chamber of commerce and the Ari zona corporation commission filed claim in behalf of the users of asphalt l attacking the rate to Arizona point from California producing points ol asphalt and kindred products. At tn hearing yesterday it was shown tha the rate to Phoenix from Richmond Cal, a distance of 790 miles. is 7s cents 1 From Richmond to Denver. distanc of LIPS miles. the rate. it was shown 1 is only 55 cents. The rate from E Segundo, Cal. to Phoenix, a distanc
 of 464 miles, is 6211 cents, while tn rate from Fl Segundo to Denver, 1.45
 miles, is only 55 cents.
 The claim advanced by Mir Johnston
 yesterday before the examiner wa
 that the rate to Phoenix from Fl Sc gundo and Bakersfield should b
 slightly less than the present rate oi
 fuel oil from these points. This rat
 is 4312 cents. It is claimed, of course
 that the rate to points in Arizon
 other than Phoenix should be modifie
 to conform to the schedule asked fol
 Examiner Eddy will begin takin
 testimony tomorrow in connectio
 with complaints which have been file
 by the Arizona Traffic association.