The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-06-23
MONTANA FAVORED
IN FREIGHT CUTS
MOUNTAIN PACIFIC GROUP HAD
LEAST INCREASE; NOW GETS
BIGGEST REDUCTION
State Railroad Commission Puts Out
Statement Expressing Its Gratifi-
cation 1t Outcome and Thinks This
State Has Eared Much Better Than
Most.

road rate reductions than other
states that are not in this district. &C.
cording to a comparison made by the
Montana railroad commission. The
commission in a statement on the
rate question explains that the Noun
tain Pacific group, in which Montana
is included, had the least increase
and now has the greatest reduction.
The commissions statement fol-
lows:
1.-THE Montana railroad commission
has completed digest Of the report
and order of the interstate commerce
commission in docket No. 1928,
commonly known as the general rate
Investigation case. which was decid-
ed May 18th, and embraces the en-
tire United States.
Commission Acts
This investigation was commenc-
ed December, 1921. for the purpose
of determining what the rate of re-
turn to the carriers should be upon
the expiration of the per cent pc
riod fixed by the transportation act
of 1920, and which expired March l
1922. The Montana commission in
tervened and has devoted to this
case a great deal of its time since
the commencement of this action.
and inasmuch as the % per cent in
crease. taking effect September /,
1920. applied on Montana intrastate
traffic as we'll as interstate COM
merce. it was certain that whatever
reduction was found to be right and
proper at this time, would apply also
within this state and the Montana
board, knowing exactly what the sit
uation was, has endeavored to ex-
plain the status of conditions to the
public so that it might know that
everything possible was being done to
protect the interests of the Montana
people.
1--WE are extremely gratified with
the results. We realize that the gen.
eral public does not understand
freight rates, but in order that any
one may know the result Of this in
vestigatiOn, we would here explain
that the state of Montana has Jared
admirably throughout this entire
transaction, as will be noted from
the following.
Southern and mountain Pacific group
rates advanced (Sept. l. 1920, 25
per cent; reduced, effective July ].
1922, so per cent.
International traffic, advanced 80
1-3 per cent; reduced. 40 per cent.
Western group. rates advanced IS
per cent; reduced, 3Sh per cent.
Eastern group, advance, 40 per
cent: reduced, 35 per cent
"The Mountain Pacific group as
above. includes the state of Montana
and it will be seen that the advance
in rates, effective September I. 1920,
in that group was but Is per cent.
which is the lowest of any of the
groups comprising the entire country.
Then again, the reduction that comes
at this time is greater in the Mon
tana section than in any other dis
trict. it being SO per cent of the ad-
vance that took place under ex parte
order No. "A, whereas the reductions
that took place
in other districts are but 40. 3Sh
and IS per cent, respectively
All Rates to Participate
at should be understood of course
That on rates which have been re-
duced since September /. 1920. that
the full amount of the reductions
now prescribed by the commission
cannot be applied in equity: for ex-
ample rate which may have been
reduced since September I. 1920,
could not be expected to enjoy the
full amount of the percentage re-
duction that is now ordered, but such
reduced rate will participate in its
share of the whole In other words,
a rate that has been reduced, say
s per cent, within the last 81 months,
for the purpose of eliminating a por-
ton of the advance under ex parte
order No. "a. is now subject to a fur
Their reduction of per cent, but no
more.
much detail is involved in this
countrywide situation and it is not
possible to explain infinitely in this
brief article, but we will be very
pleased to answer all inquiries from
interested parties and we solicit the
shippers of the state to confer with
this board on any and all matters
concerning this situation on which
they may not be clear"
The cutieura Toilet Trio