Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-23
RATE HEARING
OPENS BEFORE
INDIANA BODY
Manufacturers Say r. r. Pc
tition Calls for Discrimina-
tory Tariffs.
SLAP is GIVEN SERVICE

Representatives of manufacturers and
dealers IN thirteen commodities in In
diana appeared today before the public
service commission to protest against
discriminatory rates which they claim
would be brought about by the grant
Ing of the petition Of the th!rty-ore
railroads operating in the state, for in
creased freight aud passenger rates
equal to those granted recently by the
Interstate commerce commission.
The industries represented at the
hearing are brick, print paper. limestone,
drain tile. sand. gravel, straw, straw
board, coal, fertilizer. crushed stone.
logs. milk and cream.
Representatives OF the Indiana State
Chamber OF Commerce, the chambers OF
commerce OF many cities OF the state, as
we'll as attorneys for the various rail-
road companies. were present.
The hearing Is being conducted in the
senate chamber.
Previous to the taking OF testimony,
representatives OF the varions industries,
at the suggestion OF Commissioner f.
!. Lewis, outlined the position they would
take IN the CASE. and gave a resume OF
their reasons for their stand.
The position Of the railroads was pre-
scented to the commission by y. s. Brown.
attorney for the carriers, who said all
carriers 10 Indiana were petitioning for
Increases in rates similar to those grant
ed by the federal body.
WILL WORK AGAINST
DISCRIMINATION.
II. r. Coapstick, representing the state
chamber Of commerce, said that, while
that organization was not protesting
against increased rates for the roads, It
would protest against discrimination
against Indiana industries.
I'VE will prove" said Mr.. Coopstick
that a 10 per cent Increase IN interstate
rates IN those states surrounding In
diana will sdll leave their rates lower
than the present rate IN Indiana on
many industries"
Charles c. Stewart, Indianapolis. rep
resentlng the box board and fertilizer
interests. declared u was his opinion
that the railroads should not apply In
Indiana for increased rates uatil their
service was improved.
Il think Il IL the opinion 81 al persons
interested ia this case that the principal
objection 20 the rate Increases is because
Of their inability 20 get sny sort %
service from the carriers" said Mr.
Stewart.
Il think the roads should improve their
service. then apply for increases"
Mr.. Stewart told OF the trouble cxper-
fenced by manufacturers in obtaining
cars.
In presenting his appearance for the
TT Wayne Chamber OF Commerce, II. r.
Fairweather. Fl. Wayne. made a plea for
uniformity IN rate sdvances in each OF
the railroad territories.
EMPHASIZES TORTURE
SUFFERED INPAsT.
I'VE do not oppose fatty the increases
for the roads, said Mr. Falrweather
"hut we ask the commission TO keep ln
mind the torture Indiana has had in
the past, in comparison with the stu
alton. In Illinois,
Removal OF all inequalities in tariffs
10 place the rates on products Of Indi-
ana companies on n parity with those
Of Illinois WIS 20 form the bases Of the
protest entered hy g. Il. Luckett. Craw-
louisville, representing the brick manu-
featuring interests OF Indiana.
other representations were entered for
the Anderson Chamber OF Commerce, ard
special committee Of the gts belt, pro-
testing against discrimination !n coal
rates: s. S. Shoemaker, Kokomo, rep
resenung :he Kokomc steel and Wire
Company. protesting coal and limestone
Continued on Page Two)