The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-10-14
RAILROAD
FREIGHT RATE
INVESTIGATION
Representatives of the
Southern S t a t e S
Meet With Inter
state Co m m e rec
c. ON m IS sion in
Asheville

Asheville. y. c.. Oct. 1o.-All car
riers propose to eliminate water
competition rates. IN Southern
territory. according to testimony
introduced al the present hearings
of the interstate commerce COM
mission in the investigation Of all
class rates in southern territory.
It WIS learned today.
Under an existing system. it is
asserted. rates 70 intermediate
points are in many cases higher
than to the ports in order that the
carriers may meet the water COM
petition.
One Of the reasons for the in
vestigation. which daily gives evi-
dence OF being the most Important
ever attempted Icy the interstate
commerce commission. it is stated.
is fourd in certain provisions Of
the transportation act of 1920, the
most important being what is
known as the amended fourth sccs
ton. which was enacted TO strength
en the act TO the extent that car
rier Lay not violate the long and
short haul rule in the absence OF
competition.
Potential water competition or
commercial competition does not
permit deviation from the law, it Is
asserted. and it is proposed by Tire
carriers to eliminate the se-caitei
water competitive rates.
However according to private in
terests and state COMMISSIONS who
are Introducing testimony at the
hearings. which will be resumed
tomorrow morning after a recess
of one week. it is maintained. that
carriers have their own IDEAS in
meeting this. problem and will pro-
pose that the rates be brought in
line by further increases in many
instances With only minor decreases
in other cases. ~.
According TO Maj. tAleSanaer
Forward member of the Virginia
sfate corporation commission. Who
arrived for the. reepenins of the =in-
vestiga;ion tonight. the present
hearings will have d decided effect
on future interstate rates.
james a. Perry. member OF TIE
Geoi gia railroad commission. also
arrived today and with A: Pat.*r-
sou. member OF the Alabama pub
lie ser,ice commission: Il. Hudson
Burr. chairman OF The rai;roas
commissions. who is already in H1e
city. and Major Forward will act
IN an ..dyisory capacity with, Joseph
=. Eastman. member of the inter-
state commerce commission. who
VIII arrive from Washington to-
,norrow morning.
r. L. Carke. Washington at
torncy. who represents the legal
end Of the case OF the North Car
Dina corporation commission. ar
rived today and vii! be present
when the corporation commission
begins Us TESTIMONY. Fifty rail-
road officials rates experts and rep
resensa:ives OF private interests ar
rived during the da. and Others
are expected early tomorrow for
the purpose OF heing present and
taking part in the investigation.
G.. l.. Tiile1y. representing the
Hebran cypress company, Phila-
deiphia. wili take the sfand wheh
the investigation is reepened and
il is understood @ill propose revo-
lutionary changes in the method OF
rate making.
w. l.. Hend1ey, representing the
Spar,anburg IS. CD Transportation
association as traffic manager. will
take the stand following the Phila-
delpllia expert. o. E. Barr.son.
Washington attorney. has been en-
gagged 10 represent the Spartan
burg association in the legal pre-
sen.asion Of the case. which viii
deal With the general rate situation
in the Carounas.
With indications that the hear
ings in .ishevilie viii last until the
early part OF November With only
SUNDAY rsceSses and possibly Sat
urtlay Afternoon. officials ia ena,ss
aud experts are preparing for q
general siege ct testimony from
to:h 5hc carriers aud shipper.