The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-23
FIGHT INVOLVING ALL STATE RATES
 TO BEGIN NOV. 7
Commission Cites Railroads to Show Why Just and Reasonable Scale Should Not Be Established on All Commodities
By FRED H. GoRMLEr

htVHAEpmcTy DuTcAu. InG AEe-HeraIN
 s2l-2 First National Bank Building
 Montgomery, September 22- -(Spe- cial. )-Foreseeing a rate fight in- volving all intrastate freight rates in Alabama and comparisons with interstate rates, the Alabama public service commission Thursday after noon cited every railroad operating in Alabama and the receivers of all lines now being handled by the courts to appear here November ' and show "why this commission should not establish just and req sonable scale of freight rates on all commodities moving between sta tions on your respective lines in Alabama"
 This citation means that before the end of the year the public service commission proposes to review every freight rate now applicable to trans portation between points in Ala bama. It also means that the com mission proposes to find out for it. self whether or not there are dis criminations against interstate com merce by the use of tho intrlstate rates in Alabama.
 All members of the public service commission, including President A. c. Patterson and S. P. Gaillard and B. H. Cooper, associate commissioners, con- cured in the citation which was mailed to every railroad In the state Thursday afternoon. This is the be- ginning of the rate contest which as been expected for some days. When President Patterson was In Washing ton last week he received information that the railroads operating in this state proposed to file petition with the interstate commerce commission for general review of all intrastate rates in this state, the contention being that many of them were i'm proper' r'discriminations against inter state commerce in that the state rates were lower than the interstate rates.
 To Make First Inquiry
 Through the issuance of the cita- ton by the state commission, it is probable that the state authority will be permitted to make it's investiga- ton first In order that any discrimi- nations may be removed without tha need of an appeal to the inters:s commerce commission. In othal words, the public service commission the adjustment of Inequalities in rates rather than any commission outside Of the state,
 With the issuance of the general citation to the railroads, tho com mission announced that 1t had granted another temporary exten- sion of 30 days for the. operation of the 25 per cent increase in freight rates which was made effective by the director general of railrold while the railroads were in the hands of the government This will leave the rate situation undisturbed while the commission Is receiving the testi- mony of the railroads and the ship pers regarding any general readjust- ment in rates
 It is probable the hearing, which will start November z, will continue greater part of the month
 Commissions statement
 In connection with the citation. .he  following statement was issued T se office of the public service e5opeis sion.
 "The commission has takel teps to examine into all Alabama K tss .nd make such revisions as in q ads ment may be necessary. Aaer rai citation to that effect was sasea Wednesday. September 2l, retur1able November '.
 The issues in the case involving the 25 per cent increase under ex parte "A, interstate commerce com mission. were not broad enough to permit the wider scope of the new ci tation and both cases are set for hearing at the same time.
 Tt is also stated that at the hear ing of these cases the commission will investigate all unjust discrltni- nations and inequalities in the Ala Dama rates with the view of making proper adjustments.
 tContfnued on Page Tws.)