Arizona republican., 1921-09-09
ARIZONA BUSINESS
 IMPER|LED BY RATE
 ADJUSTMENT PLAN

Every wholesaler and jobber in Arizona stands in imminent peril of being forced out of business, all Ari- zona business will be made sub fervicnt to Pacific coast houses, and as result the ultimate consumer VIII stand more for the common ne- ceSstfieS of life, although the cost of living is being lowered elsewhere.
 This is the view taken by the Ari- zona corporation commission on the latest attempt of the transcontinental railroads to adjust freight rates in such manner as to make serious inroads on the jobbing business of the intermountain region. Formal application has been filed by the roads with the interstate commerce commission seeking sweeping reduc- tions from all eastern, southern and mid-western points to Pacific coast terminals
 The Arizona commission has no objection to the rail lines reducing rates but in common with the regu- latory bodies of all western inter- mountain tsates it is prepared to raise strenuous objections unless proportionate reductions are made to points in these states.
 Acting with the traffic bureau of the Phoenix chamber of commerce. the commission has asked the inter state commerce commission permis- sion to be heard before the proposed rates are granted. The proposed tar ifs include a large number of the more common household commodi- ties as well as a number of items used in the construction of buildings, bridges and highways.
 The matter came up at a meeting of the intermediate rate association which met at Salt Lake City last June. which meeting was attended by Amos A. Betts of the corporation commission and Roland Johnston, manager of the traffic bureau of the chamber of commerce. This associa- tion is made up of 104 civic, com mcrcial and industrial bureaus and regulatory bodies of Montana, Utah, Idaho. Nevada, New Mexico, as well as eastern Washington and Oregon and southeastern California.
 At thai time 1t was learned that the transcontinental lines were pre- pairing to petition the interstate com. merce commission under the fourth section of the transportation act, which provides under what circum- stances through rates may be made lower than those to intermediate points The association framed a strong protest at that time and asked permission to be heard before the proposed rates were established
 How seiously he proposed rates would affect Arizona is seen from a few examples. From New York and adjacent territory canned goods would be shipped to San Pedro for $l-30, while the rate to Phoenix would be as now. s1.S355. It might be argued that with so low a through rate goods could be shipped back to Arizona points and in that way a saving made over the rate from the east direct, but this is not true. In only one instance is the combined rate less than the direct rate.
 On drugs and medicines the coast points would enjoy a rate of $2 50, while Phoenix would be compelled to pay s3.0S@. Drygoods could be shipped to the Pacific coast for $1.s0, while the rate to Phoenix and other Arizona points would be s2.0S1a.
 One of the greatest discrepancies is that which appears in the rates on structural steel, band, bar and hoop iron. horse shoes and similar com modities. The rate to the coast from New York would be $1 and to Phoe- nix s1S31z.
 Roland Johnston, manager of the traffic bureau of the Phoenix cham ber of commerce. has sent a copy oi the railroads application to every commercial body in the state. as wei as to the jobbers and wholesalers and to the farmer-producers. together with letter pointing out the SC. riousness of the situation and urg- ing full and effective cooperation from all Arizona shippers.