South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-28
MODIFICATION OF
INJUNCTION ASKED
Public Service Commission
May Reduce Freight Rates
in State.

INDIANAPOLIS, june 81
duction OF various freight rates on
shipments wholly within the state
nav be ordered BY the public serv-
ice commission II 70 can obtain mod
lacation of a federal court iniunc-
ton. which g interprets az abolishing
its control over all rates.
A r. Cronk. head OF the commis-
sfon's rate bureau. said today that
ne expected soon 20 file petition
with the federal court for modihca-
ton OF the injunction. He added
that no general revision OF sta-a
rates was anticipated. explaining
that the commission would act only
on specific cases brought by formal
complaints filed by shippers.
Many state rates. however. might
be changed BY the state commission
Mr. Cronk said. without causing an
unjust burden on interstate com
merce. and half a score Of petitions
for such changes are tending before
the commission. These petitions
we're fled by the lumber. coal 1nd
sand and gravel interests Similar
petitions applying 70 other COM
modities might be filed and in case
. modification OF the injunction IS
obtained IL is expected that many
such cases would be brought by
shippers.
Classified Rate High.
In general. these cases would cen
ter about shipment OF a commodity
between points for which there is no
established commodity rate Such
situation causes the commodity 20
move at the classified" freight
rates. which are higher than COM
modify rates The railroads are said
70 have been fairly prompt In es-
tabitshinE new commodity rates but
with the state commission exercis-
ing such Jurisdiction It is said that
an earlier establishment OF the
commodity rates might result.
Illustrative OF what might be done
with the commission 20 produce a
cheaper movement within the state
OF commodities. state officials say
that sand and gravel rates on the
commodity schedule apply only for
esta blished movements. The Off
Gals point out that the state high
way commission may desire 10 begin
a new movement IN its road work
and that the commodity rate might
be applied BY the commission for
such movement. IN the absence OF
which the shipments would move "a
classified rates unless the carriers
established the commodity rate.
Shippers Complain.
Complaint also has been made by
shippers that carriers are charging
commodity rates OF so and 20 cents
a ton for short-haul coal shipments.
which the shippers contend are only
a switching movement bearing
rate Of SO a car. This question Will
be dealt with in case the commits
sion gets modification OF the IN
junction.
, Attorney General Lesh has con-
fcrred with the commission regard
Ing the state rate situation and in a
formal opinion advised that modi-
hcation OF the injunction be sought
before attempting any change. The
Injunction was granted last Febru-
arv on the application OF the car
riers TO force the Indiana rates 20 be
advanced 80 as 20 meet the level es-
tabushed by the federal interstate
commerce commission last August
when II granted the nationwide ad-
vances 20 the roads.
In view Of the sweeping charac-
ter OF the federal court order" said
the attorney general. referring 10
rate changes by the state commits
sion. II would be fearful that pro-
ceedings by the state commission
would place US in the position Of
violating az least the spirit OF the
order If not the letter"