The Alaska daily empire., 1921-06-21

i HdClItc steamship company quoted
 a rate of $10 per weight ton, thi
 rate being computed on the basis 0
 the ratio Of one weight ton to on
 and one-half measurement tons
 While there is some evidence in tn
 record to the contrary, the weigh
 of the evidence is that upon receiv ing information directly from the Al aska Pulp & Paper Company that its packages would measure approxi
 mately 26 cubic feet. per 2,00(
 pounds, the carriers quoted a rate of 5 per weight ton. Evidence was
 introduced on behalf of the Pacific
 Steamship Company to the effect that the rates of S10 and $5 quoted
 were also based upon the rate o i $7.50 per ton applicable on canned salmon, which is the principal south bound commodity handled by thai carrier. Canned salmon averages 4 cubic feet to the ton of 2,000 pounds and is generally used by that com ] pany as basis in constructing rates | The southbound movement of salmon via this carriers vessels amounts to approximately 50,000 tons annually.
 Rate Not Unreasonable
 Comparing the rates quoted on wood pulp with the rates applicable on the other commodities mentioned in the above table, and according full weight to the facts brought out at the conference, it cannot be stat ed that rate of 8 per weight ton for the transportation of wood pulp from Port Snettisham to Seattle is unreasonable.
 The only allegation of undue dis elimination is directed against the Pacific Steamship Company and charges that carrier with having transported manufactured pulp and news print paper from Ocean Falls, British Columbia, to Seattle, Wash for $4 per ton, which rate is consid erably under the lowest rate quoted for the carriage of wood pulp from Port Snettisham. This charge the Pacific Steamship Company categor- ically denies and states that it is handling pulp at the present time 1IOIll OCtdu Y dllS lO CedItlG at d contract rate of $5.90 per ton of 2,000 pounds The distance from the Ocean Falls plant to Seattle is 416 nautical miles, while from Port Snet isham is SIP nautical miles. The fact that tke distance from Port Snettisham to Seattle is more than twice the distance from Ocean Falls to Seattle negatives the allegation that the rate of $5 per ton is unduly | discriminatory.
 Charges unsustained
 It is asserted that the carriers had induced insurance underwriters to re- fuse permission to the barge Libby Maine, operated by Libby, McNeil X Libby, to call at the wharf of the Alaska Pulp & Paper Company to lift complainant's product; and that the carriers were influenced by finan- a rival pulp mill in Alaska, thereby conspiring to prevent the operation Of the plant of the Alaska Pulp & Paper Company and fostering a mo nopoly. While these assertions may net be germane to the issue as to whether or not the quoted pulp rates are unreasonable, we have, neverthe less. made thorough examination of the evidence of record on these points, but have failed to discover any facts supporting or establishing the allegations.
 Conclusions
 A careful review of the record of the conference impels the conclusion that the instant difficulties have re, suited in large measure from misun- derstandings between the shipper and the carriers, which is primarily attributable to failure of the parties to have had the benefit of close com munication. That this is the case is illustrated by the correspondence ex- changed and by the fact that immed- lately upon obtaining from the pulp company definite information as to weight and measurement, the steam, ship companies reduced their rate 50 per cent. However, the carriers probably have not given due consid- eration to the fact that pulp manu- featuring is a new industry in Al aska. and that it's development will ultimately inure to the benefit of all parties concerned.
 Bearing this in mind, in conjunc- ton with the fact that by reason of the absence of any movement of pulp from Alaska in the past, full infor- nation of the transportation pecui- iarities and costs are not available. it is recommended that the rate of five dollars ($5) per ton of 2.000 pounds on packages which weigh not less than 300 pounds and bulk not more than 3SS cubic feet be given trial with the understanding that if after such trial for a reasonable time that rate shall prove to be ex- cessive or unduly low, it will be readjusted.
 The facts developed at the confer ence plainly indicate the need of well directed cooperation between hA i,, ;pta iS